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| Healing Chance Equine Manual Therapy |
Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) is a unique compilation of diagnostic and treatment techniques that assesses and treats pain, injury, and dysfunction. Developed over the past 30 years by Dr. Sharon Giammatteo, Ph.D., P.T. , IMT is a relatively new approach to overall physical and mental health intended to address the underlying causes of dysfunction using a gentle and non-invasive hands- on approach. According to the CenterIMT website, |
| Eeva Patrakka ~ (503) 630-5615 ~ E-mail: Eeva@HealingChance.com |
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“IMT treatment techniques are based on the premise that the body has the potential to self-correct or heal
itself under the right circumstances. Tissue repair at the cellular level is a normal process that occurs within
the body. The healing of a cut or wound on the skin, or a broken bone that heals itself once it has been
immobilized, are two examples of this mechanism at work. Pain and dysfunction, on the other hand, are an
indication that there is too much cell or tissue dysfunction for the body to restore health on its own. Under
these circumstances, in order to improve the body's self-correction mechanisms, intervention is required.”
(www.CenterIMT.com)
itself under the right circumstances. Tissue repair at the cellular level is a normal process that occurs within
the body. The healing of a cut or wound on the skin, or a broken bone that heals itself once it has been
immobilized, are two examples of this mechanism at work. Pain and dysfunction, on the other hand, are an
indication that there is too much cell or tissue dysfunction for the body to restore health on its own. Under
these circumstances, in order to improve the body's self-correction mechanisms, intervention is required.”
(www.CenterIMT.com)
The IMT approach is complete and holistic, and works by investigating the localized
site of injury or pain, as well as the injury’s effects on the entire body’s functions, such
as the lymphatic, nervous, fascial, and circulatory systems. Typically the therapist will
initially assess the local site of pain such as joints, soft tissue, or bone, and will then
further identify all areas in the body that may be contributing to, or deriving from, the
problem. For example, a torn ligament may be caused by muscle strain elsewhere in
the body as a result of over-compensation intended to protect the strained area.
However, the muscle strain itself may be resulting from fascia adhesions on the
opposite side of the body. Thus, the therapist follows the body’s natural biological
rhythm breakdowns and finds the underlying causes for the dysfunction in order to
correct the primary cause of the symptoms. In addition to treating primary causes,
however, the subsequent symptoms must also be addressed for complete healing to
be achieved. For example, in the above mentioned case of a torn ligament, the
therapist might first decrease the swelling in the joint, improve blood flow in and out of
the area, and encourage healing of the ligament itself, as well as normalizing the body’
s overall circulatory and immune systems to encourage the holistic well-being of the
individual. By simultaneously treating primary causes and secondary symptoms, IMT
Therapy ensures both healing of existing injuries as well ass prevention of further
damage.
site of injury or pain, as well as the injury’s effects on the entire body’s functions, such
as the lymphatic, nervous, fascial, and circulatory systems. Typically the therapist will
initially assess the local site of pain such as joints, soft tissue, or bone, and will then
further identify all areas in the body that may be contributing to, or deriving from, the
problem. For example, a torn ligament may be caused by muscle strain elsewhere in
the body as a result of over-compensation intended to protect the strained area.
However, the muscle strain itself may be resulting from fascia adhesions on the
opposite side of the body. Thus, the therapist follows the body’s natural biological
rhythm breakdowns and finds the underlying causes for the dysfunction in order to
correct the primary cause of the symptoms. In addition to treating primary causes,
however, the subsequent symptoms must also be addressed for complete healing to
be achieved. For example, in the above mentioned case of a torn ligament, the
therapist might first decrease the swelling in the joint, improve blood flow in and out of
the area, and encourage healing of the ligament itself, as well as normalizing the body’
s overall circulatory and immune systems to encourage the holistic well-being of the
individual. By simultaneously treating primary causes and secondary symptoms, IMT
Therapy ensures both healing of existing injuries as well ass prevention of further
damage.
I use IMT techniques that are suitable for both humans and animals, as well as some techniques that are specific to animals,
especially horses. I invite you to visit the www.centerimt.com/what-is-imt.asp to read more about the IMT approach and techniques.
especially horses. I invite you to visit the www.centerimt.com/what-is-imt.asp to read more about the IMT approach and techniques.
