| Integrated Manual Therapy or IMT was conceived by Doctor Sharon Weiselfish-Giammatteo and has it's roots in osteopathic medicine which is concerned with the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Theories practiced revolve around the idea that the body is a system of parts that do not function individualy but as a whole. Integrated Manual Therapy then treats the entire body of the client rather than just an injured or problem area.
Dr. Giammatteo believes that the body on it's own has the power and ability to heal itself with the proper guidance. An Integrated Manual Therapist will work with a client and show them how to access those self healing powers within. Rather than using a doctor to treat a specific or isolated set of conditions, The Integrated Manual Therapist will look at the entire body for clues as to what could be the origins of the problem. Not just treat what may be symptoms of the true condition itself.
Persons interested in utilizing an Integrated Manual Therapist should understand that the therapies perscribed by the practicioner will be aimed at treating the whole body and not just the area of complaint. A client seeking relief for chronic neck pain should not be suprised if a therapist works on their feet, legs or hands. As the system believes that all parts of the body are integrated, treating areas of the body that are not afflicted may help the body bring itself back into natural alignment.
A client should expect a therapist to use a series of tapping strokes along the body in a discovery stage. This step is considered listening with the hands and will be used as the primary method for discovering problems with the muskuloskeletal system and their supporting systems. Circulation and GI systems of the body as well as the lympatic system can also be treated with IMT by allowing the therapist to harness the bodies abilities to heal itself with the proper assistance.
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