Dr. Schehr is a master at her craft and is very committed to her patients. She was able to stop my acid re-flux when nothing else worked (and it was continuously escalating and getting scary) . She also helped my son with his vocal cord issues with just a couple of visits. I never would have imagined that Physical Therapy could address those two issues! I highly recommend her! Don’t let the fact that she doesn’t take insurance discourage you. You will get better faster and pay less in the long run by availing yourself of WHAT WORKS instead of what insurance companies and bureaucrats will pay for.
Mike M.
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS are also referred to as Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders. Sometimes these conditions can be very temporary, especially noted in a change of diet or lifestyle. When a particular condition is present more frequently or lasts longer, it may become chronic. Managing the particular problem may be adequate, however, it may be due to a more serious underlying problem.
There are many types of digestive disorders.
*INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS LIMITED TO THE ISSUES HELPED MANAGE BY BALTIMORE HOLISTIC PHYSICAL THERAPY. *
WHAT ORGANS CAN DIGESTIVE DISORDERS AFFECT?
- Esophagus
- Liver
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestines (colon)
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
HOW CAN A DIGESTIVE DISORDER DEVELOP?
- Irritation to an organ/organs due to:
- Bacteria in food
- Infection
- Certain postures or movement patterns- if your body is twisted or shifted. Pressure and restrictions are placed on the organs, limiting the proper functioning Emotional stress
- Some medications
- Chronic medical conditions including colitis, Crohn’s disease, and IBS.
- Scar adhesions, especially in the areas of the abdomen, pelvis and back, can pull on an organ and prevent it from functioning well
- Emotional stress
HOW CAN I MANAGE MY DIGESTIVE DISORDER?
- Practicing a healthy lifestyle is key for long term digestive system health
- Proper nutrition
- Proper amount of exercise
- Managing stress
- Specific remedies for each symptom
WHAT IF I CANNOT MANAGE MY DIGESTIVE DISORDER?
- Symptoms may continue to progress
- Dysfunctions of other organs may occur
- Musculoskeletal complaints, especially in the back, shoulders and hips may occur
WHAT ARE COMMON DIGESTIVE DISORDERS AND SOME OF THEIR SYMPTOMS?
- Swallowing dysfunctions
- Restrictions in the throat and esophagus (which also may affect breathing)
- Mucous in the back of the throat including from post nasal drip
- Anxiety – at times, can be felt as a lump in the throat
- Gastroesophageal reflux – “heartburn”
- Occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus
- Burning pain in the middle of your chest after meals or at night
- Nausea
- Burping
- Chronic symptoms may indicate GERD, gastrointestinal reflux disease
- Bloating
- Feeling of fullness in your stomach
- Feeling the need to “loosen your belt” before you are finished eating
- Flatulence
- Gall bladder dysfunction
- Pain
- Nausea
- Lighter colored stools
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Chronic Constipation
- Occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass.
- May be due to changes in diet or routine, or inadequate intake of fiber
- May be caused by certain medications, especially narcotics
- Seek medical advice if you have severe pain, blood in your stools
HOW CAN BALTIMORE HOLISTIC PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?
Managing symptoms with medications may just put a bandade on the problem. The organ itself may continue its dysfunction even if the symptoms are reduced.
At Baltimore Holistic Physical Therapy, Dr. Schehr understands that direct or indirect manipulation of the impaired organ is key to help better manage the problem.
She also knows, from her decades of experience, that musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, which is unresponsive to traditional therapies, may be due to digestive disorders. Sometimes it is caused by pain referred from the organ, itself; other times it may be because your posture has changed, causing your body to shift. This shift may give rise to pain from compressing the space your organs require to function well.
A thorough medical and physical history is taken, including identifying past injuries and surgeries. This is followed by a thorough assessment of the systems of your body to find the most efficient treatment to help relieve your symptoms and dysfunctions.
You will be treated with her holistic, integrated manual therapy approach, including visceral manipulation. You will also be instructed in how to manage your digestive disorder.
Knowing that your digestive disorder may be due to a more serious issue, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist, a medical doctor specializing in gastrointestinal disorders more extensive diagnostic evaluations, including endoscopic procedures, lab tests and imaging for further evaluation.
What Our Patients Have To Say
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A: Firstly, I don’t believe in doing what didn’t work before. Many physical therapy practices approach a problem by going to the painful region. Oftentimes, this is a very temporary fix. By taking a holistic, hands-on approach, I understand that your pain may be coming from another part of the body, or even have multiple sources, including posture. By individualizing your treatment, I concentrate on healing and re-balancing the body, to manage your pain and lessen the chance of it returning. Then, I teach you how to manage your posture and movement.
A: Treatments for headaches or other pain from a recent problem will generally benefit from 2 treatment sessions for the first 2 weeks, then 1 session per week. Older conditions will benefit from 2 treatment sessions for the first week and then 1 session per week. Wellness sessions to rebalance and optimize the body for healthy aging range from a single session every month to once every six months and will be recommended on an individual basis.
A: An initial evaluation will take 1 hour. (Scar adhesion or sinus treatments only require 45 minutes.) Most follow-up treatments will be done in 30 minute sessions; multiple body areas may require 45 minutes
A: Any heavy exercise or recreational program should be done prior to the physical therapy or wellness session and then not for 24 hours after, in order for the body to adjust itself to the changes in muscle balance.
A: I will teach you techniques to perform on yourself if there is a flare-up and instruct you on proper body mechanics and ergonomics.
A: It is a facial aesthetics program of wrinkle reduction and facial rejuvenation using hands-on physical therapy and osteopathic techniques which may reduce the signs of aging in the face and neck. A FREE HEALTHY AGING CONSULTATION is available. See Refacée®
A: Wellness programs for healthy aging are not covered by most insurances, but may be reimbursable through a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA). A written bill and receipt will be provided upon your request. Although I do not participate in or bill insurance directly, I will provide a bill for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement, upon request. As there are many types of insurance plans with each provider, it is your responsibility to understand the terms of your insurance. *Those with Medicare Part B insurance from CMS will only be allowed to be part of the Healthy Aging program, NOT for physical therapy treatment. Please see Payment Terms and Policies.
A: Appointments may be made in the following ways: Please call 410-665-3223 Email: Dr.Susan@baltimoreholisticpt.com
