By Dr. Shawn Thistle DC, DAc, CSCS, ART® ... 2005

We live in a sedentary society, where most people are forced to remain in static positions at work for hours each day. Further, as life becomes more hectic, stress can compound this lifestyle and cause many to forget to take care of their two most important assets - their body and mind.

Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction can arise from a number of sources, resulting in pain, stiffness, stress, headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance - the list is endless. So too is the list of available treatment options for these symptoms - from supplements and prescription drugs, manual medicine, physical therapy, and massage, to a seemingly endless list of exercise gadgets or "quick fix" schemes. How can the average person decipher this information to decide what is best for them? What is the most effective approach to treating pain and dysfunction?

There are many treatment modalities that have demonstrated benefit in treating pain in general, and in specific body locations, such as the low back. The problem with most research is that they study only one treatment modality at a time as it is easier to determine its effectiveness. Clinical practice and current literature are now leaning toward a combination of these modalities to achieve maximum results.

It has been firmly established in scientific literature that exercise provides a myriad of health benefits. These include disease prevention and management, stress reduction and improved physical capability to name a few. Unfortunately, the symptoms of inactivity are the very symptoms that prevent people from becoming active - a vicious cycle ensues resulting in chronic disease, obesity, and in many cases, pain.

What if there was a treatment approach that incorporated the best scientific and clinical evidence for the treatment of pain and dysfunction with advanced and scientific exercise techniques? This would provide all of the tools necessary to relive pain and dysfunction, and strengthen the body to prevent future problems. This is exactly the purpose of a revolutionary approach to healthcare and fitness called Integrated Therapy and Training (ITT), developed at SHAPE Health and Wellness Centre in Toronto.

ITT combines the most effective, evidence-based treatment modalities and exercise techniques to create a personalized treatment plan just for you. This unique, individualized approach is on the cutting edge of physical medicine and personal fitness. Utilizing a comprehensive, total body approach, the objective of the ITT system of assessment is to determine the exact pattern of structural and functional problems that are responsible for causing pain, or limiting physical performance. Then, a specific combination of manual therapy, soft tissue therapy, medical acupuncture, massage techniques, home stretches and exercises are prescribed to reduce pain and dysfunction thus preparing the body for more advanced conditioning.

The second and most important phase of this approach is the seamless transition from therapy to training. This is usually accomplished via one-on-one sessions with a conditioning specialist in order to assure proper technique and progression. The primary goals of this stage are to activate, stabilize and strengthen the entire body to prevent recurrence. The integration of such complex treatment modalities with exercise is best done under the supervision of a regulated health professional, particularly one with a solid foundation in human mechanics and exercise sciences.

For those who are frustrated with pain and are looking to become more active, a combination of evidence-based treatment and supervised exercise may be the key to optimizing health and wellbeing.


DISCLAIMER
The information on www.shapetoronto.com is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health-care professionals. Please consult your physician or book a consultation with SHAPE before changing your diet or exercise program, for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and/or injuries, for advice regarding medications, and prior to making use of any of the information within our website, articles or newsletters.