Modalities

 Visceral Manipulation is a manual therapy modality developed by Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral and Alain Croibier, both French osteopaths and physical therapists.  Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a gentle hands-on therapy that assesses the structural relationships between the viscera (organs), and their fascial or ligamentous attachments to the various systems of the body.  Its aim is to restore movement of the tissues that surround and suspend our organs, as trauma results in adhesions that bind tissues. VM assists in balancing functional/structural imbalances throughout the body including musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urogenital, respiratory, digestive, eliminatory, neuroendocrine, and lymphatic dysfunction.

Neural Manipulation is a manual therapy modality developed by Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral and Alain Croibier, both French osteopaths and physical therapists.  For optimal function nerves must be able to move freely within their surroundings, this movement is essential for nerve conduction, nerve blood supply, and local and systemic responsiveness.  Neural Manipulation (NM) examines mechanical relationships between the cranium/spine, to the membranous and neural elements. By using gentle techniques we aim to mobilize and rehydrate nerves, strengthening their relationship with associated tissues to support a healing response.

Visceral Vascular Manipulation is a manual therapy modality developed by Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral and Alain Croibier, both French osteopaths and physical therapists. Visceral Vascular Manipulation (VVM) helps ‘release’ or soften, tensions, restrictions and adhesions of the heart and blood vessels, improving their relationship with the organs and tissues they irrigate.  VVM aims to enhance blood flow and re-establish normal nutrition delivery, detoxification, and oxygenation of the organs and tissues, helping the body regain vitality, while assisting in diminishing dysfunction and pain.

New Manual Articular Approach (NMAA) is a manual therapy modality developed by Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral and Alain Croibier, both French osteopaths and physical therapists. NMAA aims to treat the joints of the body in a holistic way, considering not only the anatomical structures of the joint, but also the nerve, artery, visceral and emotional connections. NMAA uses gentle and precise techniques to mobilize the soft tissues of the bones and assess the direct and indirect relationships between the bones of the body. NMAA can help the body heal and restore itself to optimal health by improving the function and communication of the joints. NMAA can be beneficial for people with various joint conditions, such as pain, inflammation, limited mobility, sprains, tendinitis, osteoarthrosis and more .

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a noninvasive treatment that assesses restrictions between the cranium and the sacrum, including the nervous system structures. It encourages intrinsic healing responses and may relieve a variety of symptoms/conditions. Fascial adhesions can result in abnormal circulation and flow of cerebrospinal fluid. CST has been shown effective for chronic pain.

HM is an advanced system of massage and manual therapy that treats chronic and acute pain, through a unique form of soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques. Suitable for most orthopedic conditions, HM helps to optimize functionality in our body to create longer-lasting results of alleviating symptoms.

S.I. is a form of bodywork that helps to reorganize connective tissues (fascia), with a focus on enabling the body to regain the natural integrity of its form, reduce chronic holding patterns, enhancing postural efficiency and freedom of movement. Aligning our body with gravity and increasing functional mobility are our goals in S.I.

HVLAT, or high velocity low amplitude thrust, is a type of manual/manipulative therapy that involves applying a quick and controlled force to a joint to improve its mobility and function. This technique can be performed in a gentle and precise manner, by a variety of licensed and certified therapists and hands-on facilitators. Most commonly, and at the highest caliber, Chiropractic Physician’s facilitate HVLAT manipulations, in which they can do more extensive forms of manipulations, classified as adjustments* to the spine and body.  HVLAT manipulations can also be performed by other licensed hand-on professionals, such as Osteopathic Physicians, Naturopathic Physicians, and only a Physician may diagnose*, adjust*, manipulate, or therapeutically position the articulation of the spinal column to the extent permitted by their scopes of practice; though Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and Massage Therapists, when performing HVLAT as a mid-range procedure/ as a low grade joint mobilization, while not diagnosing or adjusting the spinal column, may as well offer the joints of the spine and extremities a therapeutic response. 

HVLAT can help the articular and neuromuscular systems in the body by increasing the nerves signal to the body’s tissues, often resulting in reduction of pain, stiffness, inflammation, and muscle spasm, as well as enhancing joint alignment, movement, and proprioception.  HVLAT is one of the many tools that can be used to optimize the health and well-being of the musculoskeletal system.

The origins of HVLAT can be traced back to ancient times, when bone setters used their hands to manipulate bones and joints that were injured or misaligned. Bone setting has been practiced in various cultures around the world, such as China, India, Greece, and Egypt. Some of the techniques and principles of bone setting were later incorporated into modern disciplines such as chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy, as they are all similarly based on anatomical/physiological joint movements, with applied forced, to elicit accessory mobilizations, often causing cavitations, or a ”pop”, to spinal joints and to the joints of the extremities.

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT) is a modality that aims to guide and increase the flow of lymph fluid through the skin, mucosa, muscles, viscera, bones, and cranial membranes.  With a great level of specificity, observing the depth and direction of lymph flow, we assess and aid in draining body fluid stagnations. Results include detoxification, regeneration of tissues, relief of chronic and subacute inflammation, relief of chronic pain, deep relaxation, reducing stress, and facilitating healing responses.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a light, skin-stretching manual technique that helps promote movement of lymph fluid out of stagnated tissues. It is recommended as a component of the treatment plan Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) for individuals experiencing primary or secondary lymphedema. CDT is a combination of four methods including manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, lymphedema rehabilitation exercises, and skin care. Developed by Dr. Földi, CDT has been recognized as the golden standard for lymphedema treatment and can reduce lymphedema volume by 45-70%.

Muscle activation is a term that refers to the process of strengthening the neuromuscular relationship with a specific muscle through a specific muscle test, then treating through working reflex points, and attachments on the muscle, in turn activating a muscle and greater supporting the joint that muscle interacts with, as well as other associated tissues and systems.

This concept and approach to facilitating a therapeutic and healing response, has roots from the work of Dr. George Goodheart and Dr. Alan Beardall, who were pioneers in applied kinesiology and developed methods to assess and correct muscle function using manual muscle testing. Their work has influenced various modalities of muscle activation, such as Touch for Health, which is a system of holistic health care that uses muscle testing to identify imbalances in the body’s energy system, and MAT (Muscle Activation Technique), which is a technique that identifies and corrects muscular imbalances that cause pain and limit performance. Another modality is AMIT (Advanced Muscle Integration Technique), which is an advanced sports medicine technique that helps active individuals with muscle and joint issues by detecting and preventing injuries using muscle testing and reactivating inhibited muscles.

Joel has taken classes in muscle activation based on the Clinical Kinesiology approach, has shadowed a Chiropractic Physician who uses the A.M.I.T. method, and has taken online M.A.T. courses.