Athena Wellness & Manual Therapy
Lesley Bludworth, PT
3301 N. Miller Rd Suite 138
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
lesley@athenamanualpt.com
Lesley Bludworth, PT
Visceral Manipulation & Manual Therapy
Peter A. Levine PhD
Holistic philosophy
As one of the Phoenix area's prominent resources for physical therapy, Athena Wellness and Manual Therapy specializes in identifying and treating the root causes of structural dysfunction so that your body can self-correct
and renew itself.
The foundation of our treatment is total body evaluation and assessment. This is essential for identifying underlying lines of tension and compensations so that your care is specific to your body and nervous system. These assessments include evaluating fascial and neural lines of tension, joint and organ mobility, and vestibular and eye movement analysis
We address these issues with advanced therapies designed to create lasting change, including:
- Visceral manipulation
- Neural manipulation
- Craniosacral therapy
- Applied functional neurology
Depending on your needs, your treatment plan may also include education to increase body awareness,​ and balance and custom movement and corrective exercises. To maintain your results, we provide personalized preventative strategies to support your long-term wellness.
Our highly trained, licensed manual therapists constantly advance their education multiple times a year to stay current with the latest advancements in treatment. We are also happy to coordinate with your other healthcare practitioners regarding your background, care, and progress.
Please let us know how we can support you on your wellness journey.
Warmly, Lesley Bludworth, PT Owner of Athena Wellness & Manual Therapy
"Lesley has some special powers with her hands! As a PT myself, I know a good one when I find one. I came to her after Endometriosis excision surgery, months of pelvic floor PT, but still felt I had scar tissue pain and bladder issues. After the first visit I finally felt like my organs were free and not stuck/wound up. Four visits later and I feel absolutely amazing! Thank you Lesley for giving me my life back!"
Nicky Owens, DPT
Visceral, Neural & Vascual Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a gentle manual therapy developed and taught by French Osteopath, Jean Pier Barral. VM techniques releases tissue restrictions and compensations that can cause pain and dysfunction. These restrictions are often maintained by the autonomic nervous system along the spinal column or maintained by a altered sensory awareness of our body that is stored in the brain.
"Viscera" refers to the body's internal organs, nervous system, and vasculature. By evaluating the entire body, a therapist can locate areas of protection that may be far from the actual site of pain or restricted movement.
Using gentle compression, mobilization, and elongation, the therapist helps re-engage the brain's ability to perceive the tissue, thereby releasing protective reflexes and muscle guarding. Ultimately, this supports the organs' role in providing unconscious proprioception—our natural sense of where the body is in space, which is essential for a sense of well-being and safety.
Functional Applied Neurology
While traditional neurology diagnoses major structural damage using tools like MRIs, applied neurology recognizes that the brainstem and midbrain act as a prediction system that constantly evaluates for safety and threat. Applied neurology evaluates and retrains this aspect of your nervous system by assessing how the brain processes inputs from three core sensory systems:
- Vision: Tells your brain where you are in space.
- Vestibular System (Inner Ear): Controls head position and balance.
- Proprioception (Joints, Skin, Organs): Tells your brain where your body parts are.
Our assessment and treatment process uses a simple four-step method to identify gaps​ or dysfunctions in sensory processing. We then implement targeted strategies to eliminate ​or minimize these gaps, reducing the nervous system's perception of threat.
Applied neurology complements traditional care for conditions such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Chronic pain and migraines
- Movement and coordination challenges
Crainosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is an very gentle hands on Osteopathic therapy. This full body approach uses light touch to stimulate the skin and body.
It avoids stimulation of the anticipatory and protective guarding that can be generated in the body and nervous system in response to past trauma.
Craniosacral outflow of parasympathetic activity, via the Vagus Nerve is optimized.
This is a supportive technique that allows your autonomic nervous system to rebalance. Studies demonstrate Craniosacral Therapy can greatly benefit parasympathetic nervous system function and facilitate sensory integration. This therapy can be beneficial in treating TMJ dysfunction, migraines, post- concussive disorder, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, digestive issues.
Dry Needling & Instrument assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Trigger point dry needling is a technique used by acupuncturists, doctors, and physical therapists to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. A small thin solid needle is inserted through the skin into the trigger points. The needles are used to stimulate the tissue to release tension. Electrical stimulation can also be used with the needles for an enhanced effect.
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and taping work together to release fascial adhesions or scar tissue that can develop from surgery, immobilization, or repeated strain. By introducing controlled microtrauma to the affected soft tissue, this technique stimulates a local inflammatory response. This process helps break down inappropriate fibrosis, initiates the body's natural healing cascade, and assists in remodeling the tissue to restore full function. Additionally, combining IASTM with taping has been shown to improve lymphatic drainage and blood flow in the treated area, while also enhancing proprioceptive input for better tissue awareness and control.​
BE IN TOUCH
Call or Text 480-200-3885
Lesley Bludworth, PT
Athena Wellness & Manual Therapy
LRG Suites
4747 S. Lakeshore Drive Suite 218
Tempe Arizona 85282
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