Integrative Physical Therapy

Dr. Melissa Kerr, PT, DPT, FNCP

Integrative physical therapy incorporates mindfulness, psychosocial, emotional, energetic, mental, and physical factors in applying tools and techniques to address symptoms and barriers to optimal health. With emphasis on mind-body skills and evidence-supported-and-based practices, the whole person is considered in the assessment and development of mutually created goals and care plans.

Reasons for seeking integrative physical therapy may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Pain

  • Back, hip, shoulder, neck…

• Physical limitations related to neuromuscular, neurological, and musculoskeletal impairments

  • Restrictions in flexibility

  • Limitations in movement of joints

  • Loss of strength or weakness concerns

• Postural abnormalities (scoliosis)

• Repetitive stress syndrome

• Ergonomic distress

• Impaired balance

• Headaches

Individuals: Integrative physical therapy interventions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Lifestyle Wellness Screen

  • Using principles of lifestyle medicine to explore how sleep, physical activity, nutrition (plant-predominant), stress management, and responsible use of substances and prescriptions, together we can consider which pillars impact your health and wellness.

• Contemplative Movement Consultation

  • Learn how to apply yoga and/or tai chi/qigong to your body (beginners) or learn how to modify your current practice to fit your body’s needs (experienced practitioners).

    • Pain, injury, and age-related changes in our body may change the way we approach movement and exercise. This requires a skilled practitioner to assess for any modifications or alternatives to our approach to movement.

    • Contemplative movement (not traditional exercise) can address many physical restrictions such as pain and is effective for many medical conditions.

• Nutrition Consultations for Digestive Distress

  • Using evidence-based research and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine best-practice recommendations, interventions include investigating current lifestyle patterns and considering how plant-predominant eating, stress management, physical movement, and sleep may improve physical symptoms.

  • This does not include meal plan specificity. For specific guidance that detail calories, macronutrients, and such, please refer to our dietitian consultations.

• Consulting for Professional Development

  • Offering mentoring and consulting services to licensed healthcare professionals on incorporating lifestyle and integrative techniques into the healthcare system within the client’s scope of practice.

    • ***These services do not require physical location within state licensure as noted above

Healthcare Professionals: in addition to the above

• Lifestyle wellness consultations (sleep, nutrition, stress management, mindful movement, appropriate use of substances and prescription medication) which may or may not be related to burnout or compassion fatigue

• Nutritional consultation for digestive distress related to lifestyle factors including burnout and compassion fatigue

• Consulting for Professional Development

  • Offering mentoring and educational services to licensed healthcare professionals on incorporating lifestyle and integrative techniques into the healthcare system within the client’s scope of practice.

    • ***These services do not require physical location within state licensure as noted above

      • A client can be located anywhere for these services

  • This can be effective to enhance both personal and/or professional practice and wellness and can serve to combat burnout and compassion fatigue.