By MARIE EYE
Holistic physical therapy and other alternative care options are becoming more popular and acceptable ways to treat pain, according to owners of local offices that offer the option.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of physical therapy is growing rapidly, fueled in part by an aging yet active baby boomer population. Employment of physical therapists is expected to increase 39 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations.
However, many people are not satisfied with traditional therapy techniques, feeling they do not completely remove their pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 38 percent of American adults use some form of alternative medicine.
Elizabeth Woolaver and Priscilla Turner, co-founders of Restorative Concepts in Holland, started as traditional physical therapists, but soon realized they wanted to go further in helping their patients be pain-free.
“Our practice evolved and slowly shifted from traditional to more manual therapy with an osteopathic approach as we integrated new solutions and different methods,” Woolaver said. “We still have the same goal as the other physical therapists, only with a new approach.”
Holistic physical therapy treats all the body’s systems as interrelated, aiming to address and solve issues by treating the person as a whole.
For example, if a patient comes in with lower back pain, the therapist will look for imbalances elsewhere, such as the gastrointestinal tract for constipation or scar tissue.
“Having an in-depth knowledge of those systems is really helping us clear up problems by addressing the real issues,” Woolaver said.
Lisa Lutman, founder of The Center at Alternative Physical Therapy in Toledo, has more than 30 years of experience as a traditional physical therapist. Her facility offers a wide array of options ranging from traditional physical therapy to alternative techniques such as hypnosis and acupuncture. The facility also features a gym and private rooms.
“We try to keep our practice homey and not too clinical,” Lutman said.
Holistic physical therapy considers all aspects of the patient’s life.
“Pain can be generated by tension in the family, work conditions, poor diet, etc.,” Lutman said. “We attempt to be a bridge between the traditional, medical and holistic therapy.”
Holistic physical therapists believe traditional techniques such as stretching and exercising are not always the best way to address symptoms.
“It’s fine if the problem originates from the muscular system, but traditional ways sometimes create more damage for the future of the patients,” Woolaver said. “When a patient exercises on top of pre-existing injuries, it can create more problems.”
Turner compared the situation to a door that doesn’t close properly.
“Opening and closing it over and over will not correct it. You have to look at the frame, the hinges, the handle, etc., to understand why the door does not close. From there you can address the problem effectively,” Turner said.
Modern medicine treats the body as separate parts and promotes the use of pharmaceuticals as a first resort.
“We think that to get good results, you have to treat the body as a whole,” she said.
Many patients lose weight as a side effect of taking better care of themselves overall, Lutman said.
Another major part of a holistic physical therapy practice is patient education.
“Our goal is to empower people and address issues. Unfortunately we cannot address everything with our particular work, so we often refer our patients to other specialists. Because some of these problems, if not addressed, will prevent us from helping them,” Woolaver said.
Holistic physical therapy still generates skepticism, but word-of-mouth business from patients who have found it helpful is growing, Lutman said.
“[They say] ‘They just touched me and I’m better!’ They don’t understand what is happening to them, but it works. And they come back,” Lutman said.
“Many patients switch to our practice and leave thrilled because they are pain-free for the first time in a very long time and they are fixed for good.”
Sam Manu said he is happy with the results of his sessions at The Center at Alternative Physical Therapy.
“Three weeks ago I had a car accident. I drove by this place and Lisa started treating me. I’m all fixed now. In about a month and a half I shouldbe ready to roll.” Manu said.
The patient return rate at Restorative Concepts is about 80 percent and word-of-mouth accounts for about 75 percent of business, Woolaver said.
“This region, Northwest Ohio, is slowly opening up to it,” Lutman added.
Both facilities plan to organize lectures this fall to inform people of approaches and techniques available.
“People will have a chance to experience a 10-minute mini session and talk to practitioners,” Lutman said.
Lutman advised people who are hurting to keep trying and keep an open mind.
“Don’t give up,” Lutman said. “There are treatments out there that work. Anything i modern medicine really should be questioned. The body is an amazing machine if you give it what it needs.”
