About Facilitated Pathways Intervention (FPI)
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What is Facilitated Pathways Intervention ? It is a gentle and effective manual therapy - a physical treatment on the head and neck that reduces pain and improves mobility throughout the body. FPI releases neuromuscular tension by treating dysfunctional patterns in nerves and ‘connective tissues' like muscles and fascia. The therapy can be focused to relieve specific areas of pain, or to treat joint or muscle dysfunctions. It can also be focused on creating a new level of balance in reflex patterns to improve strength and sports performance. |
Is this a new therapy ?
It is an innovative therapy developed in the mid 1990's by Flo Barber. It is part of the exciting new paradigm - CranioSomatics - developed by Flo Barber and Dr. G. Dallas Hancock. CranioSomatics is a holistic new way of looking at relationships between the head, the nerves, the muscles and other soft tissue throughout the body. The FPI concepts and techniques are unique. They are related to CranioStructural Integration, but not part of or developed from any other existing therapy. The positive results achieved by FPI (when other techniques have not been successful) may be attributed to the CranioSomatic paradigm on which FPI is founded
What does FPI do ?
·
It
reduces or eliminates pain and muscle tension, and increases range-of-motion in
restricted joints.
·
It
provides long-term improvements, which are maintained simply by the routine
activities of daily living.
·
It
reduces the chronic motor limitations that are typical of cerebral palsy,
stroke, and certain other conditions. It
can also improve voluntary control of muscles in these conditions.
What types of problems
respond to Facilitated Pathways Intervention ?
Common
back-aches, ‘tennis elbow’, headaches, Cerebral Palsy, head trauma, TMJ
dysfunctions, Stroke,
accident injuries, Repetitive Motion or Cumulative Trauma
Disorders (RMD / CTD), chronic pain, Torticolis,
allergies / sensitivities, and many other complaints have responded favorably
to FPI therapy. Some trigeminal
neuralgias (including facial tics), Bell’s Palsy
symptoms, and eye-movement difficulties (sudden onset double-vision) have also
responded well.
Ms. Barber
would like to do more therapy with young children diagnosed with Cerebral
Palsy. Ms. Barber also welcomes new
challenges. She would particularly like
to evaluate the effectiveness of FPI with Phantom Limb Pain.
Is this
treatment suitable for children ?
Yes. Children usually respond very well.
The therapy is gentle, and also
tends to be very soothing, so most children like it. Their bodies generally accept change quickly
and easily, so the course of treatment may be quite short. It is effective for a variety of childhood
problems, including sports injuries. Children
with significant chronic problems - like cerebral palsy or injuries from a
serious accident - will typically need longer treatment, but progress is still
usually evident from visit to visit.
Can
FPI therapy improve performance in athletic & sports activities?
Yes ! Muscles will have more balanced movement and
more strength in any position or movement, regardless of the preceding
movement. If you are interested in
enhancing your performance with a body that functions more efficiently, this will
be an exciting therapy for you. FPI
makes long-term changes in basic reflex patterns by improving muscle function,
which is typically reflected in more accuracy, increased consistency, and
better scores. FPI is also very
effective in releasing the chronic pain that often comes with repetitive
movements as one perfects technique in a competitive sport.
How is Facilitated
Pathways Intervention different than existing therapies that address these same
problems ?
FPI is
based on the new CranioSomatic paradigm.
Most rehabilitative and therapeutic modalities work directly on the
joints, muscles and other soft tissues that are involved with the pain or
mobility problem, in an attempt to change the tissue. Sometimes these treatments are stressful or painful
for the patient. FPI treatment is on a related
area on the head, neck or collarbone (areas innervated by the cranial nerves),
and reduces tension in the problem area by indirectly affecting the nerves that
have been perpetuating the tension and/or pain.
There is
usually little or no discomfort for the patient receiving Facilitated Pathways
Intervention. FPI requires little effort
by the patient, and is often very relaxing, so it can be effective even for
patients with low energy levels.
How
can working on my head reduce my back (elbow, knee, etc. pain)
?
The head is the command center
for posture, balance and control of movement.
In the most simple words, it goes back to that
old song: Leg bone connected to the hip
bone; hipbone connected to the back-bone; back-bone connected to the shoulder
bone; shoulder bone connected to the head-bone. . . . You get the idea.
How long has
Facilitated Pathways therapy been in use?
FPI techniques have been in regular clinical use
since July 1996 by Flo Barber, the
developer of this therapy, at Hancock Holistic Clinic in
How
does Facilitated Pathways Intervention (FPI) work ?
The physiological mechanisms that produce the benefits are
not yet clear. It seems, however, that
the gentle FPI techniques on the head, face and neck (areas served by cranial
and cervical nerves) are producing a quieting effect on hyper-irritated
nerves. Reducing the hyper-activity of
nerves reduces tension in the chronically tight muscles, thereby reducing or
eliminating pain.
How is the therapy performed ?
Working as
a team, the therapist and patient choose an area that needs treatment - a
joint, limb, or muscle group that has pain or a functional / mobility
problem. The appropriate related ‘Treatment
Zone’ is identified (the Treatment Zones are always on the head, neck or
collarbone).
The
therapist uses gentle strokes with his/her fingers on the superficial (outer)
layers of skin in the appropriate Treatment Zone to bring about neurological
changes that relieve pain in the chosen joint or muscle area.
Facilitated
Pathways therapy can be performed with the patient sitting, standing or lying
down. The position used often relates to
the problem being addressed. (For example, a golfer might assume a golfing pose; another person
might need treatment for gripping a cup or a tool.)
All of the
Facilitated Pathways treatment is performed on the head, neck and clavicle
(collarbone). However, the therapist may
perform some joint mobilizations and range of motion movements of the
extremities as part of the therapy session.
These are always geared to the age and ability of the individual
patient. Patients usually remain fully
clothed.
How
often do I have to come for therapy ?
There is no set
formula. It depends on several factors,
including the severity of your problems, how long you have had them, and what
you consider a successful resolution. It
can be as short as 4 - 5 treatments. Typical patients come 2- 4 times a month
to address pain or dysfunction that is significantly limiting their activities
and pleasure in life. The frequency of
treatment is reduced as you begin to resume your usual activities without limitations
or pain.
How
long will results last ?
The results are usually long
lasting - months to years. Most people
can continue (or resume) their favorite activities without getting back into
pain or restrictions. Patients who have
‘graduated’ from regular treatment may chose to come 3 or 4 times a year for a
half-hour ‘tune-up’ to keep their body functioning well. Having a pain-free body is nice. People get used to it. They like it.
They want to be sure it stays that way.
Where is Facilitated
Pathways Intervention available ?
FPI techniques have been in regular clinical use
since July 1996 by Flo Barber, the
developer of this therapy, at Hancock Holistic Clinic in
Can I
continue treatment with my current massage therapist, chiropractor, physical
therapist, etc ?
Yes, the FPI therapy enhances the benefits of other modalities. Progress in physical therapy is usually
faster, and may also be easier. Of
course, when FPI is successful and your pain is gone . . . . well,
have a fabulous month !!
Where
can I learn more about FPI
and CranioSomatics ?
See our ‘Publications’ page
for our writings.
Will
my insurance pay for this treatment ?
FPI is a manual therapy, and as
such is covered or reimbursed by some insurance policies in some
situations. Coverage may depend on the
licensure of the person providing treatment.
Insurance policies and conditions vary widely, so there is no single or
simple answer. Call a provider, then
call your agent.
What is the background
of Facilitated Pathway Intervention ?
The
development of this Facilitated Pathways therapy began in 1995 as Flo Barber and Dallas Hancock, Ph.D.(c),
DC, were seeking answers to certain dysfunctions they observed in their clinic
patients. Basic treatment techniques were
developed and then expanded in that first year.
Ms. Barber developed a clearly defined and effective protocol, and
taught the first class of FPI techniques in 1997. She has continued to revise and expand the
original concepts and clinical applications of the therapy. The outstanding results of FPI have led Ms.
Barber to expand her teaching program.
Click here to read more about Facilitated Pathways
Intervention (FPI)