We are often asked two questions: what is IPT (Integrative Postural Therapy), and once I have identified that my patient needs that integrated care, what tips could you give me for referring a patient for IPT?
IPT (Integrative Postural Therapy) is the combined patient care of dentistry + physical therapy, founded by Elizabeth Caughey DDS and Mike Cantrell MPT PRC. Since teeth are the only hard, non-giving surfaces making contact in the human body, and they are designed to have sloped surfaces, there is a real directionality that the tooth contact gives to the jaw, the neck, and the spine. Patients with jaw pain, neck pain, and headache will frequently have pain that originates from postural imbalances in the neck, and results in compensation in other body parts. Similarly, patients who have problems down the kinetic chain (knee pain/hip pain/back pain, etc). may have an inability to get out of a rotational pattern in their necks, due to the interlocking relationship of the teeth on a crooked frame. Thus, the combined care of IPT (Integrative Postural Therapy) was born to resolve root cause and pain site concommitantly.
In referring a patient for IPT (Integrative Postural Therapy), it is helpful to distinguish whether or not a patient has seen a Postural Restoration Institute certified physical therapist prior. PRC’s understand uniquely the body’s natural asymmetries, and are skilled in identifying and releasing the compensation patterns that this asymmetry may cause a person to adapt. There are instances wherein a patient will need referral to a dentist for IPT (Integrative Postural Therapy) ASAP to help manage the bite’s influences. But more commonly, these Postural Restoration Institute Certified (PRC) physical therapists will have already taken the patient through as many different techniques as needed to rule out that the bite is the part of the puzzle holding the patient back.
In any case, the referral process works best when streamlined. For that reason we recommend the following:
- the therapist should send text message to Dr. Caughey 678-637-4337 (please don’t call!), or email drc@caugheydds.com, introducing him or herself and the name of the patient to be referred. Dr. Caughey will respond looking for a mutually convenient time to discuss the patient’s clinical presentation on the phone.
- the PT will send a summary of the patient’s findings (not necessarily initial findings, but findings at the time of most recent PT re-evaluation). Please use if possible PRI terms, such as PEC, T-4, L SB, etc.
- the PT or patient will text images of the patient. Some of these are pretty hard to do as “selfies,” so if you are a patient referring yourself, please ask a friend to help with this. See the photos below as a sample, and thanks!
EC
