What is Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT)?

Aging Is Not 4 Sissies ®, LLC is offering Integrated Positional Therapy Bodywork, self-help techniques for Pain-Free Living.

Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) has been seen on PBS- Survival Guide for Pain Free Living with Peggy Cappy & Lee Albert. Angela has completed her training with Lee Albert for her IPT certification.

Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) is a comprehensive program of recovery from both chronic and acute neuromuscular pain that is safe, effective, and gentle. It has been compared to a combination of Chiropractic principles and Physical Therapy techniques. IPT is a form of manual medicine that addresses both the symptom and the root cause for long lasting relief. It is safe and effective, causing no pain during treatment. IPT has been successfully used to address many neuromuscular conditions often when other approaches have failed.

These conditions include:

• neck, shoulder, and back pain

• sciatica

• plantar fasciitis

• hip, knee, and ankle pain

• tennis and golfer’s elbow

• carpal tunnel syndrome

• headaches

• fibromyalgia

• many other conditions

Relief from pain is often immediate – and long-lasting – when followed up with supportive exercises.
The primary cause of neuromuscular pain is muscle imbalances. This simply means that muscles are either too short or too long. Both short and overstretched muscles will feel tight (in fact, long, overstretched muscles actually feel more sore – 3 to 4 times tighter than short muscles). Since every muscle is attached to a bone, these tight muscles pull the frame of the body out of alignment. Misalignment of the skeletal structure leads to compression of the fascia, nerves and discs which results in less oxygenated blood getting to these tissues causing ischemia. It is estimated that 80% of all pain is related to these muscle imbalances and ischemia, which is reduced blood flow.

Designed to eliminate pain at its root cause, IPT uses the osteopathic techniques of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) to realign the body’s structure and improve muscular-skeletal function and range. MET, an assisted form of stretching using active muscle contractions, is a very powerful tool that quickly and easily lengthens tight, constricted muscles and restores range of motion. SCS is a more passive technique where the affected area is shortened and held for 60-120 seconds, allowing the muscle fibers to effectively reset and return to neutral, relieving pain and tension.

During a session, the client is encouraged to wear comfortable clothing to allow for ease of stretching and positioning. Then through an oral and postural assessment and gentle palpation of the affected areas, the root causes of misalignment are identified. In addition to treating the affected area, an important component of IPT is getting the pelvis, “the foundation” of the body, in proper alignment. If the foundation is not structurally sound, the imbalance will show up throughout our entire structure.

Following treatment, a wellness plan outlining supportive stretching and strengthening exercises and lifestyle changes is provided. As well as proper ergonomics for workspace , home, and daily living improvements is provided to help the client maintain long-term treatment outcomes and personal well-being. 

One of the most important parts of the recovery program is that the client becomes an active participant in their own healing process. When recommended exercises are practiced faithfully and lifestyle/workplace improvements are implemented, the results are often dramatic and long-lasting.

*The Albert Protocol for Muscle Pain relief – Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) was developed by Lee Albert a neuromuscular therapist and wellness lecturer at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health from over thirty years of his clinical observations. Lee Albert is also the author of two books Live Pain-free Without Drugs or Surgery: How to use Integrated Positional Therapy to eliminate chronic pain and Yoga for Pain Relief: A new approach to an ancient practice. For more information visit his website at http://www.leealbert.com.