Treatments

Dedicated to a manual therapy treatment paradigm, Harriet Levin, MSPT, specializes in manual physical therapy techniques to relieve and prevent myofascial pain.

These include:

  • Trigger Point Therapy
    Trigger point release therapy involves applying pressure with a finger or other instrument to the trigger point and increasing the pressure as the trigger point "releases" and softens. There are variations on this technique and a skilled practitioner will choose which is right for each patient and muscle treated.

 

  • Myofascial Therapy
    Myofascial Release Therapy is performed using passive (patient is completely relaxed) or active (patient provides resistance as necessary) techniques, with either direct or indirect methods. The direct method engages the myofascial tissue with a constant force until release occurs.  Practitioners use their thumbs, knuckles, elbows, or other tools to slowly stretch the restricted fascia and move slowly through the layers of the fascia until the deep tissues are reached.  Indirect myofasical release involves a gentle stretch, which allows the fascia to 'unwind' itself.  The dysfunctional tissues are guided along the path of least resistance until free movement is achieved.

 

  • Maitland Joint Mobilizations – Developed by Dr. Geoffrey Maitland, Maitland joint mobilizations are passive movements that can be used on any skeletal joint to increase mobility and decrease pain.

 

Using these manual techniques, she begins the treatment process by deactivating any trigger points and restoring length to overburdened and shortened soft tissue structures.  Harriet simultaneously helps each patient identify personal pain triggers so that activities can be modified to prevent injury recurrence and pain cycle reactivation.  A customized, gentle stretching and exercise routine is provided to decrease the potential for recurrence, typically after the patient’s muscles and surrounding tissues have been elongated and pain is under control.  

 

Complementary Modalities

In addition to manual therapies, Harriet integrates a variety of other modalities to enhance her treatment plans:

  • Passive and active stretching
  • Body/postural analysis and education
  • Breathing awareness and education
  • Ergonomics
  • Thermal (heat/cold) therapies
  • Nutritional advice
  • Rehabilitative and preventative exercise
  • Lifestyle education
  • Self-treatment and self-management techniques
  • Electro-mechanical treatment (such as TENS), when appropriate

 

Areas Harriet Serves
Looking for therapy nearby? Harriet is located in Fort Washington, PA—convenient for patients living or working in Spring House, Blue Bell, Rydal and Dresher, and a short drive for those in Wyncote, Chestnut Hill and Lafayette Hill.
Call Harriet at 267.259.2031.