Our Philosophical Approach to Patient Management

Movement Systems Physical Therapy, P.S. is a physical therapist owned practice with a mission to provide high quality physical therapy to persons with conditions that affect movement, function, health, and wellness. Carrie Hall, PT, MHS, Robin Angus, PT, MS, Cert. MDT, Bettiann Wing, PT, Suzanne Oliver, PT, Fawn Coussens, MSPT, Susan Mazzaferro-Knowles, PT, CPI, Lisa Eaton, DPT, OCS, and Mitch Owens, MSPT are the physical therapists providing services at Movement Systems Physical Therapy, P.S. Together, they share over 100 years of experience in physical therapy.

Each therapist, in addition to their individual background and training, have been trained in the theories of Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA, author of Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes (Mosby, ©2002), and founder/instructor of the continuing education course entitled, Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes. Carrie Hall, PT, MHS, President of Movement Systems Physical Therapy, P.S., has been an instructor of the course developed by Dr. Sahrmann for over 20 years, and is lead author of Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2e ©2005).

Our unique examination/evaluation process includes standard orthopedic tests, however the focus of the examination is on the impairments that contribute to the underlying biomechanical cause of the symptoms. We are particularly concerned with the habitual postures and repeated movement patterns that contribute to the development and/or perpetuation of the current condition (or potential future condition).

Intervention involves 55 minute sessions with frequency determined by the status of the patient. We develop a plan of care that often includes manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization as needed to normalize joint integrity/mobility and soft tissue extensibility, but the emphasis is on specific exercise based on the examination/evaluation. The philosophical approach toward patient management is that musculoskeletal pain syndromes are the result of the loss of precise control over rotating segments. This is thought to be due to impairments in the movement system that are the consequence of habitual postures and repetitive movement patterns. Therefore, treatment focuses on restoring precise control over rotating segments by resolving the impairments related to the movement dysfunction. The exercise requires experienced physical therapists to teach the precision of muscle recruitment and path of instant center of rotation. As the patient gains control over simple movements, more complicated and functional movements are introduced to the program, eventually restoring function to the best of the patient's capabilities and lifestyle requirements.

Our additional focus is on promoting long term health and wellness. To assist patients in achieving this goal, we have added transitional Pilates mat classes to the services we provide. These classes are taught by an instructor additionally trained in the exercise concepts of Dr. Shirley Sahrmann and Carrie Hall. Content of the classes are co-developed by the staff at Movement Systems Physical Therapy (MSPT) and the carefully selected instructors. The purpose of these classes are to provide a tranisitional step from the specific exercises learned at MSPT to Pilates mat classes taught with consistent concepts. Once Pilates skills are mastered at MSPT, the patient will be able to make the tranisition to their neighborhood studios with more confidence, knowledge, and safety.