What to Expect

Every session at Holistic Physical Therapy and Energy Medicine is unique. Amy is masterful at tailoring a session to meet individuals’ needs in the moment. Each healing modality that Amy uses is in the scope of a Licensed Physical Therapist and includes a different spectrum of offerings than traditional physical therapy. By providing a supportive and empowering environment, space is created to foster connectedness and to explore joyful awareness of the body, mind, and spirit in unity.

How is holistic physical therapy different from traditional physical therapy?

Before we discuss holistic physical therapy, let's first define physical therapy in general terms. Physical therapists are professionals who hold a college degree. Physical therapists are required to be licensed in the state in which they practice.

A brief definition from the American Physical Therapy Association states that the physical therapists scope of practice includes (but is not limited to the following):

A physical therapist provides services to patients/clients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function and health status resulting from an injury, disease or other causes.

A physical therapist practices in collaboration with a variety of health care professionals including physicians, physician's assistants, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and many others.

A physical therapist provides prevention, wellness, consultation and educational services both in the clinic and in the community.

Physical therapists are extensively trained in the areas of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems of the body and therefore they can be very effective in treating a wide variety of injuries and illnesses.

What is a Holistic Physical Therapist?

The definition of the word holistic is as follows: “emphasizing the importance of the whole, rather than analysis or separation into parts.” The word whole comes from the root hael or hal, which means whole or healthy.

As a Holistic Physical Therapist Amy, has at the heart of her practice this basic principle: that each person is inherently whole, and can not be simply divided into parts, that if one part of the person is affected by illness or trauma, the whole person is affected and this cannot be overlooked in physical therapy evaluation or treatment.

As a Holistic Physical Therapist, Amy is committed to providing comprehensive physical therapy treatment within the scope of physical therapy practice that honors a philosophy of treating the whole person.

This philosophy includes providing a relaxed, beautiful, and safe environment for you to discuss the nature of your injury or illness. Amy spends up to 1 1/2 hours with you on your first visit. She performs a comprehensive postural and musculoskeletal examination of the whole body, not just the area of injury. Amy spends time talking with you about how your injury or illness has affected your life. She reviews your evaluation findings and discusses options for healing that may work for your specific needs.

Your follow up visits are performed in a similar manner. Together with you, Amy implements a treatment plan that you have agreed upon. Amy strongly believes that taking time with each client is a major key to her successful clinical outcomes. Striving to create an atmosphere that supports and honors the wholeness of each patient is of utmost importance.

Conditions Treated include and are not limited to:

• Fibromyalgia and other connective-tissue disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Women's health issues
• Pelvic and menstrual problems
• Acute pain and sports injuries
• Chronic neck and back pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Post-surgical dysfunction
• Stress- and tension-related problems
• Attention deficit disorders
• Repetitive stress and overuse injuries
• Rehabilitation
• Scoliosis
• Orthopedic problems
• Emotional difficulties
• Autism
• Colic
• Learning disabilities
• Neurological dysfunction
• Infantile disorders / birthing injuries
• Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries
• Central nervous system disorders
• Neurovascular or immune disorders
• Lyme Disease
• Headaches and Migranes
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Tempromandibular Joint Syndrome

How many treatments will I need?

Everyone will respond to treatment individually. Amy leaves it up to you and what you feel your body needs as far as how often to come in. That being said, in most instances you should be starting to see and feel progress towards your goals by the sixth visit at the latest. At your first visit Amy will discuss how often you may want to schedule in order for you to meet your specific goals. Coming more regularly usually results in faster progress. Treatments can then be spaced further apart once you are maintaining an improved sense of well being and feeling a lot better.

Do I need a prescription for physical therapy?

No, not necessarily. In Washington state, it is legal to be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist WITHOUT a prescription. However, if you are using your insurance and having Holistic Physical Therapy and Energy Medicine bill for you or if submitting for insurance reimbursement yourself, it is wise to have a prescription from the beginning of treatment, since they often request it. A prescription from an M.D. or Chiropractor can say “Physical Therapy: Evaluate and Treat”, a diagnosis, and whatever else they choose to write on it. Please be aware that some insurance will not cover P.T. if prescribed by a Chiropractor, check with your plan.