Our Techniques
We incorporate manual therapy, targeted therapeutic exercise, and evidence-based modalities into our treatment sessions. Our physical therapists are trained in the Gray Institute of Applied Functional Science and Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), with a perspective in optimizing full body function rather than treating an isolated part of the whole.
Gray Institute of Applied Functional Science
Applied Functional Science (AFS) seeks to better understand human body movement: how was the body made to function, and how does it actually function? Developed by Gary Gray, the founder of the Gray Institute, AFS links the scientific truths of how we move, think and act with practical strategies to create better, more efficient environments for the daily, sport-specific activities we engage in. When it comes to injuries, the goal is to evaluate the source of the injury as opposed to the symptom—and in contrast, to break down a person’s natural movements and assess limitations to help prevent an injury before it happens.
We focus on function vs. injury.
That’s to say, the source of a knee injury might not be the knee itself; there’s a greater chance it is the result of how other areas of the body—such as the foot, hip and thoracic spine—interact with the knee during movement.​
We consider all planes of functional movement vs. taking a one-dimensional approach.
Humans are multi-dimensional beings, and our natural movements obviously reflect that. Our joints and muscles move in three planes of motion: sagittal (forward and back), frontal (side to side), and transverse (rotation). For example, when we run, as the right leg hits the ground, the joint and muscles move through all three planes of motion, accelerating and decelerating as needed.
We create the appropriate exercise for the individual vs. letting the exercise choose you.
Traditional strengthening exercises can be ineffective for specific people, based on various factors, such as age, activity level, previous medical history, and more. The functional approach evaluates the total athlete and incorporates flexibility, strength, balance and the cardiovascular system in developing targeted exercises.​
Postural Restoration Institute (PRI)
The human body is not symmetrical. The neurological, respiratory, circulatory, muscular and vision system are not the same on the left side of the body as they are on the right, and vice versa. Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) credentialed professionals recognize these imbalances and typical patterns associated with system disuse or weakness that develops because of dominant overuse. When these imbalances are not regulated by reciprocal function during walking or running, breathing, etc, a strong pattern emerges creating structural weaknesses, instabilities and musculoskeletal pain syndromes.
Let’s all take a deep breath..
Breathing is pretty important, you do it about 20 thousand times per day! Your postural patterns can have a strong effect on the way in which you breathe and vise versa. Our therapists want to ensure proper position of respiratory muscles to help their function. This can alter muscular patterns throughout the body. Especially with our runners, how you breathe during running can have a great impact on what muscles you tend to use more/ less. Our therapists understand the importance of correcting any dysfunction in breathing patterns to give our patients the best care possible.
