What are Light Touch Manual Therapies?
Dynamic Manual Interface:
DMI is an advanced comprehensive form of assessment and manual therapy that embodies some of the most current research in the dynamics of the human body.
DMI was developed by Frank Lowen, drawing from skills he had developed from his training and teaching with Jean-Pierre Barral, DO, PT (Visceral Manipulation) and Dr. John Upledger, DO (Myofascial Release). It is distinct from, though complementary to, Visceral Manipulation and Myofascial Release.
DMI requires a precise interface which has both physical and energetic components.
DMI utilizes the body’s self corrective mechanisms to improve tissue mobility, biomechanics and system balance.
Practitioners of DMI feel, interpret and facilitate specific subtle rhythms within the body, which are vehicles for communication and regulation.
The focus is highly specific, but orchestrated by the tissues and their rhythms. With DMI’s unique method of hand usage combined with a thorough understanding of the organization and relationships of the body, a skilled practitioner can interact specifically with many different tissues of the body for assessment and treatment purposes.
Visceral Manipulation:
This specialized manual therapy addresses the fascia surrounding internal organs, improving overall biomechanics and contributing to enhanced function.
Developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, DO, PT, it incorporates General and Local Listening as part of the assessment, which leads the practitioners to areas which are key treatment areas (convergence of tensions).
Included in this approach is the interrelationship between the physical tissues and cognitive/emotional state, as well as complex biomechanical relationships.
This work is based on the study of detailed anatomy and has been developed based on years of medical study and research.
Myofascial Release:
A gentle form of manual therapy focused on the connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds your muscles, bones and organs.
Unlike deep tissue massage, MFR uses light, sustained pressure and subtle movements to address restrictions and tensions within the fascial system.
This technique aims to release tension, improving mobility and reducing pain throughout the body.
It is recognized that tightness in the fascia can create a ripple effect of dysfunction in seemingly unrelated areas.
Performed properly, MFR does not actually break-up tissue, but allows for the fascia to accommodate to a new length and position based on the input of the practitioner through their hands.
Who can benefit from Light Touch Manual Therapies?
Light Touch Manual Therapy can help virtually any condition, regardless of age group, and although it is not curative, many situations that have not responded well to other forms of treatment or therapy often respond favorably to this work.
Pain in spine and extremities, digestive issues, over-use symptoms, headaches, stiffness, numbness are frequent complaints that are treated with high success.
What can I expect from a treatment or a series of sessions? What do I need to do to
prepare for it?
Treatment is performed with the client fully clothed, although access to skin may be optimal for some techniques.
Hydration is important, and having a water bottle with you is recommended so you can continue to hydrate during the day.
The initial physical assessment will involve checking alignment in standing, and sitting. Most of the treatment is usually performed lying on back or stomach, although seated is common for upper extremity issues, at least for part of the session. The evaluation often includes listening or cranial mapping, in which the practitioner places a hand on your head and tracks tension patterns in the body. This might be repeated at the end of the session to see if this has changed with treatment.
There is often a brief movement integration to help with transition from lying on the table to sitting and moving, which helps the body adapt to tensional changes.
The therapist might ask questions regarding history that might not have been shared, if some of the findings suggest that this was significant.
Although treatment might feel very subtle, there are often large changes that are registered. Sometimes a client might feel a bit “off” for a few days or might remember some things that have been forgotten. This is a good sign and nothing to worry about. It is typical that positive changes occur in the following days and continue in the days and weeks after sessions.
Laurie Levine- Lowen offers Light Touch Manual Therapies, among several other services, at CLINIC Mondays 1- 5pm and Fridays 9am- 1pm.