Foundations of Treatment
The 90-min initial assessment is the most important part of the process of Integrative Movement Therapy. In order to find the root cause of dysfunction and pain, I rely heavily on as complete a picture of your health and complaints as is possible. I believe that assessment is an absolute and non-negotiable foundation of treatment.
This means that we start with an intake form and interview. The intake form IS LONG and asks a lot of questions. The intake form usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour to complete. The more details you provide, the more clues I have to help build a picture and connect the dots. Some things that you might think are irrelevant – such as difficulty swallowing when your complaint is low back pain – are not irrelevant at all, but critical to the big picture.
What else is included in an initial assessment?
In addition to the full history and interview where we discuss your complaints, the initial assessment relies heavily on several other assessment types. An assessment of jaw and tongue movement is included in each assessment. I will watch you walk to assess your gait (Gait). I will check breathing mechanics either in standing, laying down, or both.
I also do a thorough standing posture examination, and check reflexive stability in standing. Functional movement assessments, such as watching my clients perform a toe touch or a full body rotation are important before testing strength and range of motion in specific areas. Special Orthopedic Tests like an eye movement examination or a test for ligament instability might be performed at this point to hone in on problem areas and clarify a clinical impression.
Finally, and importantly, I use NeuroKinetic Therapy to verify my theories about how motor control is being affected and then formulate a plan for therapeutic interventions. Any therapeutic interventions we try are reassessed for efficacy before the session is over, so my clients know that what we are planning to do is going to have a positive effect.
Creating a Treatment Plan
While my efforts as your therapist are to address your most pressing complaints as directly as possible, my assessment examines the whole picture and not just parts. This means that sometimes assessments will turn up higher level problems than the one you are coming in for. Clients always have a choice about what to work on and how to formulate a treatment plan, but I usually advise clients to work on higher level dysfunctions first – unless acute pain is impairing their ability to function.
How can you prepare for your initial assessment?
Make sure your intake form is complete at least one full day before your session, so I have a chance to review it. If you are unsure about your infant and early childhood history, take time to ask parents or other relatives that might have information about accidents, illnesses and traumas from that period.
Wear comfortable athletic clothes that do not tightly restrain your abdomen, or can be easily adjusted for breathing analysis. Assessments and treatments are typically done clothed, but shorts and tank tops can be helpful as sometimes the skin needs to be assessed visually or directly through palpation. Refrain from eating a heavy meal right before the session.
All props and equipment needed during the assessment are provided. However, if you have a phone with video capabilities please bring it as many of my students like to record exercises for future reference.
