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
At Athena Manual Therapy & Wellness we are committed to assisting each client to heal quickly and safely; and to empower progress with knowledge, understanding, and inspiration to stay active and healthy. We are dedicated to ensuring every client has a positive, successful experience during their journey of recovery to optimal performance, health, and wellness.
Our bodies are highly intelligent and self healing. If the body cannot correct itself and find balance then the body and nervous system compensate. Compensations allow us to continue to function but if they are obvious or if they are subtle, compensations can result in dysfunction and pain. This can happen in the muscular and fascial system, such as with a rotator cuff injury. It can also happen in our nervous, vascular and digestive systems.
At times, our body can require a gentle reminder to let go of these compensations, to return to a more robust homeostasis. This can look like releasing trauma, pain, or patterns of motion adopted at any age. The body's tissues create patterns of activation that tell our nervous system how we feel, both emotionally and physically. Working in partnership with a skilled manual therapist can allow for somatic releases that effect us physically and emotionally. Integration can be greatly facilitated, allowing for optimization of health and healing.
"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) therapy is
a gentle manual therapy that aids
the body’s ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that
cause pain and dysfunction.
Visceral Manipulation is taught and used around the world to address the
cause of pain – not just treat the symptoms. The term ‘Viscera’ relates to the internal organs of the body, such as the liver, kidneys and intestines, and also the entire nervous system and vasculature.
The physical therapist focuses on evaluating the entire body then uses gentle compression, mobilization and elongation of the soft tissues in order to find the source of the problem. As the Visceral Manipulation techniques are applied they help release the source of the problem to re-establish the body’s ability to adapt and restore itself to health. The symptoms will then begin to decrease.
Crainosacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is an Osteopathic gentle, hands-on, therapy. This full body approach uses light touch to stimulate the body and avoids the natural guarding created in the body and nervous system. CranioScaral outflow of parasympathetic activity, via the Vagas Nerve and the sacral plexux is optimized.
The touch is designed to be respectful and negotiate with the body. It 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.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or IASTM is used in conjunction with therapeutic taping to release fascial adhesions or scar tissue in any part of the body. The introduction of controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue stimulates a local inflammatory response. Microtrauma initiates reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or scar tissue and facilitates a cascade of healing activities, assisting in remodeling of affected soft tissue. Adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain, or other mechanisms, are broken down. This allows full functional restoration to occur. IASTM and taping, together, are demonstrated to improve lymphatic drainage and blood flow in treated tissue and improve proprioceptive input, allowing greater tissue awareness and control
Functional Dry Needling
Myofascial Trigger point dry needling is a technique used by acupuncturists, doctors, and physical therapists to treat myofascial pain, dysfunction of skeletal muscle and connective tissue, and improve or regulate dysfunction.
Muscles sometimes develop knotted areas called trigger points. These trigger points are highly sensitive and can be painful when touched. They can also often be contributing to referred pain (or pain that affects another part of the body). Clinicians push thin solid needles through the skin into trigger points. The needles are used to stimulate the tissue, not to inject medication. Electrical stimulation can also be used with the needles for an enhanced effect.
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
