Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) with Michelle Tryling

Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) is a comprehensive program of recovery from both chronic & acute neuromuscular pain that is safe, effective, & gentle. Designed to eliminate pain at its root cause, IPT uses the osteopathic techniques to improve muscular-skeletal function & range. Relief from pain is often immediate & long lasting when followed up with supportive & strengthening exercises to retrain new neuromuscular patterns.

Initial IPT sessions are 75 minutes in length while follow up sessions are either 50 minutes or 75 minutes in duration. IPT can also be integrated into your Yoga Therapy session whether in person and online. Michelle specializes in adapting IPT to those experiencing chronic pain and mobility limitations as well as finding simple solutions that fit well in a busy life.

Some frequently seen conditions that respond well to IPT:

recalcitrant pain that has not responded well to other therapies
headaches, migraines
fibromyalgia and other neurological conditions
neck and shoulder pain
upper back pain
thoracic outlet syndrome
tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow
carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist issues
trigger finger
piriformis syndrome
sciatica
low back pain
knee pain
calf spasms
plantar fasciitis
tight hamstrings
IT band syndrome, IT band tightness

Increased awareness of how we move and use our bodies can help increase our vitality and quality of life. In addition to home exercises, simple lifestyle adjustments like how we sit at the computer or drive our cars can significantly impact the body’s ability to move and function. IPT empowers clients to become an active participant in their own healing process by recognizing patterns in their daily lives.

Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) is a comprehensive program of recovery from both chronic & acute neuromuscular pain that is safe, effective, & gentle. Relief from pain is often immediate & long lasting when followed up with supportive & strengthening exercises to retrain new neuromuscular patterns.

Michelle specializes in adapting IPT to those experiencing chronic pain and mobility limitations as well as finding simple solutions that fit well in a busy life.

What to Expect During an IPT Session

Intake forms are completed by client prior to the initial session. Please wear loose fitting clothes to allow for ease of movement during session. Initial sessions begin with a thorough client intake and history, evaluation of daily movement patterns, and postural assessment as well as educational information regarding the client’s unique situation. After initial intake, clients lie on massage table while going through the IPT movements with the therapist.

The primary techniques used an IPT session are Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS). MET uses gentle isometric contractions to address biomechanical dysfunction, increase joint mobility, and overall range of motion. SCS is a passive positioning of the body in order to facilitate the body’s relaxation response while improving the targeted muscles’ ability to relax and fully elongate. There is constant communication between client and therapist to ensure a pain-free experience. Feedback is encouraged to personalize the movements to each individual. Sessions might also include targeted breathing exercises, visualizations, gentle movement, and stress reduction techniques.

What to Expect After an IPT Session

It is highly recommended to increase water consumption before and after sessions to hydrate the body and help it recover more quickly. Clients most often report a profound feeling of relaxation, pain relief, and greater range of motion in their bodies. Most report engaging their muscles in ways they had not used before, as well as an increased awareness of these areas in the body. Occasional feelings of muscle soreness are reported afterwards as if clients had “exercised and could tell their muscles were used in a new way”. Many clients report improvements in their posture, “feeling taller”, or feelings of lightness in the body after session. Clients will leave with a wellness plan outlining supportive stretching and strengthening exercises as well as lifestyle recommendations to help maintain lasting results.

Home Routine & Follow Up IPT Sessions

Recommended number of follow up sessions depends on each individual, the acute or chronic nature of their complaint, and proficiency with home routine. Those that are diligent with their home stretching, slackening, and strengthening exercises are able to maintain progress and use follow up IPT sessions to adjust or add to their home routine. Some clients prefer to work with the therapist for a few weeks to gain confidence and mastery over the exercises before finding ease with their personalized home routine. Those experiencing chronic pain or mobility issues find weekly sessions in the beginning helpful to maintain momentum with the program. As they progress and pain decreases, clients find they are able to space out their IPT sessions as needed. Athletes generally find tune-up sessions beneficial before and after a demanding bout of exercise or event to help aid in quicker recovery.

Follow up IPT sessions involve reevaluating pain, posture, and mobility changes taking into account any client noted observations and changes. Follow up session tend to be more targeted to specific complaints or areas of focus as the client will be more practiced with the IPT exercises. This is a great opportunity for clients troubleshoot or refine certain movements together with the therapist. Home routines will also be evaluated and adjusted if needed.

Step One: Identify Root Causes of Chronic Pain:

Addressing the root causes of the pain and not just the symptoms will ensure lasting results. Root causes may include muscle imbalances, inflammation, stress, hydration, or lifestyle.

Step Two: Muscle Balancing Assessment and Movements for Pain Relief:

Identifying the muscle imbalances and learning to do the movements that will relieve or eliminate pain. These might include targeted, gentle stretching or low intensity strengthening of weakened muscles.

Step Three: Strategies to Lower Stress and Pain in Daily Life

Pain affects the whole person. Once you learn how IPT works you will see that you have the power to facilitate your own healing process and start to eliminate pain, sleeplessness, and stress from your life.

Lee Albert, NMT

Michelle is trained and mentored directly by Lee Albert, the originator of IPT. He had been featured in PBS specials Joyful Pain Free Living w Lee Albert and 3 Steps to Pain Free Living.

Additional Resources:

Do you have question about IPT and how it can help you? Contact Michelle below to learn more about creating a personalized approach that fit your needs.

Contact Michelle to learn more about Integrated Positional Therapy so you can decide if it is a good fit for you. This is for new clients to receive information with no commitment or obligation. This information is solely for contact with Yoga Harmonics and will not be shared.

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Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT)