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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
For information, call: 847-541-7600
or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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Non-Traditional Manual PT

 

Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)

Manual Physical Therapy

IMT is a gentle, indirect manual therapy facilitating the body to heal physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually.  It is referred to as “non-traditional” or sometimes “un-tradtional” therapy.  Tissue dysfunction or restrictions are found through manual diagnostics, by discerning between healthy and unhealthy motilities (rhythms)  to find the source of the problem as well as treat the dysfunctional tissue.

The body has a hierarchy of protection so vital structures such as blood vessels and organs are not impaired.  IMT will discern which layer is being protected by the more superficial and less significant layers.  For instance, low back spasm is often diagnosed as a muscle strain, which may be true, but the IMT practitioner will view that muscle strain as the body’s intelligence taking over in order to protect the body from more serious damage such as a herniated disc, tear in a blood vessel, or spinal cord injury.  The IMT practitioner will then treat the deeper layers in order for the body to realize, “Oh I don’t have to protect you anymore, I can release the muscle spasm.”

The study of IMT is very comprehensive, requiring over thirty two classes to become certified.  There are thousands of techniques available to treat the deeper layers as well as the superficial layers of tissue.

IMT can be used for any acute or chronic condition such as acute low back pain/herniated disc, acute ankle sprain, knee pain, shoulder pain, or chronic disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain, MS, and autoimmune disorders.  Some non traditional diagnoses that can benefit from IMT are GI issues, liver toxicity, or autistic spectrum disorders.

Myofascial Release (MFR)

Fascia surrounds every structure in the body and restrictions can often be found here.  MFR is a gentle, indirect approach to releasing the restrictions in the myofascial system and is the foundation of IMT.

 Cranial Therapy

Cranial therapy works on the craniosacral system which is comprised of all the tissues in and around the spinal column, brain, and down to the sacrum where it sits in the back of the pelvis.  The cranial therapy approach used at The Manual Touch PT is a component of IMT.

 

Related Resources

  • Chronic Pain (A Central Nervous System Disease) and IMT (Newsletter)

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Recent Blog Posts

  • Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
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Testimonials

On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others was the pain-free freedom of movement I enjoyed, the product of an exercise focus on flexibility, stretching, balance and core strength. The great change in my workouts came when I approached Denise Schwartz at The Manual Touch in Wheeling to reh… Read more
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Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, after only two sessions. This is the best my elbow has felt in a year. Denise ‘gets it,’ if you will. You tell her your situation, she truly understands the problem, gets to work, and starts fixing the problem. She has, in fact, exercised herself…so… Read more
Read More
I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking and sitting, activities which previously caused me to be in pain for several days afterwards.  But today, I’m just a little sore.  I feel I’ve made very good progress in feeling better, stronger and feel less pain.
Read More
I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and a pain in the shoulder would be treated with strengthening the muscles around it. It never worked because shoulder pain can actually originate in other places – like hip stiffness caused by bad posture, shoes, soft chairs, etc. She really cares and edu… Read more
Read More
I’m a pediatric physical therapist and I was taking a yoga teacher training.  My left shoulder and neck were getting progressively tighter and eventually pain was keeping me up at night.  I knew I wanted treatment from a very knowledgeable PT with good manual skills and someone who excelled at evaluating postural and functional issues.  Denise is that person and she corrected my biomechanics with exercises and manual therapy.  There are only a few PT’s that possess skills like Denise.  … Read more
Read More
I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 visits with Denise, the pain lessened and my function improved.  After 8 visits, I was nearly painfree.  Denise and I continue to work together to improve my overall movement and muscle strength.  My body feels better than it has in years.  I hav… Read more
Read More
I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  
Read More
I complained to my family doctors about severe pain in lower back.  He recommended use The Manual Touch.  I followed Denise’s recommendation and started physical exercises for my lower back.  Also I am wearing abdominal binder which improved my strength and pain in lower back decreased from 6-7/10 to 3-4, which is give my normal life back.  Thank you very much
Read More
When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly reduced the sensitivity to pressure that was caused by my open-heart surgery.
Read More
Before PT:  I had difficulty in walking due primarily to knee pain and was dependent on a cane and/or walker and had no confidence with either aid. After PT:  With the expertise of Denise as my physical therapist, I was guided and taught a series of exercises to increase my mobility of the lower extremities.  She was able to accurately determine the course of treatment. Denise instilled in me the importance of a continuing daily routine of exercises to decrease stiffness and increase my … Read more
Read More

Our Mission


We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. 

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
Top 10 physical therapists in Wheeling

A winner of the
2015 Patients' Choice Awards
for
Wheeling Physical Therapist

Verified by Opencare.com

Testimonials

On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others… Read more
Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, af… Read more
I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking an… Read more
I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and … Read more
I’m a pediatric physical therapist and I was taking a yoga teacher training.  My left shoulder and neck were getting progressively tighter and eventually pain was keeping me up at night.  I knew I wanted treatment from a very knowledgeable PT wit… Read more
I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 … Read more
I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  … Read more
I complained to my family doctors about severe pain in lower back.  He recommended use The Manual Touch.  I followed Denise’s recommendation and started physical exercises for my lower back.  Also I am wearing abdominal binder which improved my … Read more
When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly r… Read more
Before PT:  I had difficulty in walking due primarily to knee pain and was dependent on a cane and/or walker and had no confidence with either aid. After PT:  With the expertise of Denise as my physical therapist, I was guided and taught a series… Read more
Read More

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Copyright © 2021 The Manual Touch, LLC. · 325 n. milwaukee ave. · Ste D. · Wheeling, IL. 60090 · 847-541-7600

The information provided on The Manual Touch Physical Therapy website is for personal and noncommercial use only. The resources and content provided should be used for educational purposes only and not as a substitute for appropriate medical care. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort please seek medical attention.