What is Connect Therapy?
The Integrated Systems Model is a framework that was developed in 2010 by Diane Lee and Dr. LJ Lee when they were teaching together through their company Discover Physio. With the dissolution of Discover Physio in 2014, both of these incredible researchers/clinicians/teachers now teach independently, and the different language reflects their individual teaching styles and beliefs.
Both the Integrated Systems Model and ConnectTherapy involve a wholebody approach to assessment and treatment. When a person is assessed using these models, you can be sure that the physiotherapist will not just be looking at the body part where you feel your symptom, but will be looking at your entire body to help determine where the problem is coming from.
The therapist will start by talking to you about what your concerns are, and what you would like to “be better” or “feel better”. Then, the therapist will assess your body in different positions, and while performing different movements or tasks. In physio lingo we call this a Meaningful Task Analysis. It’s a movement that you do….. that is meaningful to you…. and that for some reason isn’t working the way you think it should (or it hurts!).
When the therapist is assessing the meaningful task she is looking at what parts of your body aren’t functioning optimally, with the goal of determining what parts of your body are “driving” the problem that you’ve come in to get treated for. The treatment will most often focus on that body part or parts, and will involve training the body and mind to move in a more optimal pattern. The end result is moving better, performing better and feeling better!!
What is the Thoracic Ring Approach?
The Thoracic Ring Approach™ is a framework to assess and treat the thoracic spine and ribcage as three-dimensional rings .
It is common for the thoracic rings to be relatively pain-free but shifted or not moving properly. This can create stress and ultimately cause pain in other areas of the body. Poor motor control and muscle imbalance around the thoracic rings can lead to pelvic girdle pain, low back pain, foot/ankle pain, shoulder impingement, neck pain, incontinence, etc.
Your therapist will use a Meaningful Task Analysis (MTA) (see link to Connect TherapyTM) to determine if the Thoracic Ring Approach™ is an appropriate technique for you. During the MTA, your therapist will feel your rings to feel if their movement is optimal or non-optimal. If non-optimal, your therapist will correct the non-optimal ring(s) and examine the impact on your whole body function and performance through your meaningful task.
Thoracic Ring Approach TM: https://ljlee.ca/teaching-models/the-thoracic-ring-apprach/
