Therapy That Works
Epona PT: The 5 Phases of Care
Ever wonder why that nagging ache or pain just keeps coming back?
Many people and horses get 'stuck' in the pain--> inflammation--> injury cycle. We get treatment or take it easy just long enough to ease the pain and inflammation but then we flair it right back up!
To achieve better and longer lasting outcomes, we have to go a few steps further to ensure that our mobility, strength, and coordination are restored. Pain and injury creates compensation patterns that require some re-patterning! Otherwise we end up right back at square one. I have developed the '5 phases of Care' model to help you get the best results possible.
Additionally, it is essential to consider the WHOLE horse/human on a psychosocial level. Healing occurs in the context of all of the other realms of our life, so we can not neglect the impact of those factors (nutrition, stress, social support, etc.) on our healing!
Free 20-minute Phone Call
I offer a free 20 minute phone call for a brief consultation and two way interview! Let’s find out if your current situation (or your horse’s situation) would be a good fit for my services and also let’s get to know each other and decide if we’re a good fit for each other. If we aren’t a good fit, I’ll do my best to be supportive and can suggest an alternate approach or provider.
Phase 1: Intake & Clinical Evaluation
Because I take a whole horse and whole human approach to care you’ll be filling out comprehensive intake forms so I can best understand your current situation (or your horse’s situation) and all of the variables that are impacting your health. Please set aside time to thoughtfully and intentionally complete these forms. The more detail you provide, the more accelerated the process will be. Get ready to get personal! I’ll carefully review your intake paperwork before you arrive to the clinic for your initial evaluation. We’ll review the important details before moving on to the hands on examination.
Your initial evaluation will typically last between 60-90 minutes and include an exceptionally comprehensive physical exam. The most commonly received feedback I get from clients after their IE is: “I’ve never/my horse has never had such an in depth physical exam.” You should leave this appointment feeling a sense of clarity about what is going on with your body/your horse’s body and how we are going to address what’s ailing you/your horse.
I’ll develop a specific care of plan and together we’ll create a path forward to meet your goals.
Phase 2: Decrease Pain & Inflammation
Typically 4-6 visits
In the early stages of care, there’s often a cycle of pain and inflammation that need to be broken. People get stuck in this phase, because as soon as the pain decreases they jump back in to things too quickly and increase inflammation—ending up back at square one! This leads many people to believe that physical therapy 'doesn't work.'
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There are a variety of hands on manual therapies, modalities, and techniques we can choose from to address your individual circumstances. I don’t subscribe to a one size fits all model so together we will explore what therapies you value and what is effective for YOU. You can read more about what these therapies look like further down in this description. During this phase, you’ll probably also get some tips and tricks for how to do your own management at home between visits along with precautions about things that may be beneficial to temporarily limit or avoid. If you’re ultra committed to your overall well being and healing, we can discus other lifestyle factors that contribute to systemic inflammation which may slow or inhibit your progress.
Phase 3: Restore Mobility & Flexibility
Typically 2-4 visits
After inflammation and pain are managed and tissues have had time to heal, most people end up with some deficits in mobility and flexibility. We’ll address any range of motion deficits through a combination of hands on techniques along with therapeutic exercises and self mobilization techniques to ensure that you keep the range of motion you need and don’t get stiff again.
Phase 4: Improve Strength & Coordination
Typically 2-3 visits
Once pain, inflammation, and mobility are restored, it’s time to make sure you are strong. Not just that you can isolate a muscle group and do an exercise you found on you tube. We need to address any functional patterns where you’ve lost strength and/or motor control to ensure that as you return to activity, you aren’t compensating and putting yourself at risk of the same injury or a new one.
Phase 5: Return to Function
Typically 2-3 visits
At this stage you are feeling good and strong and ready to jump back in to the physical activities you love. It’s often a time where people value being able to come in for a check up and get some maintenance manual therapy to manage normal soreness that comes along with increasing your physical activity. You’re back on the bike-just with the peace of mind that the training wheels are still on 😉
Graduation!
You’ve successfully returned to your activities while having access to check ins and tune ups. So now it’s time to graduate 👩🎓 Many people have resolution of common conditions in 10 visits over the course of 2-4 months. Post surgical care, or more severe conditions may require 15-20 sessions and 4-6 months for full recovery.