Choosing an Integrative Manual Therapist by Kimberly Burnham, PhD; LMT; IMT,C.

Integrative Manual Therapy is a hands-on therapy, used to get relief of signs and symptoms and improve overall health. There are a few questions to consider when choosing the Integrative Manual Therapist who will best suit your needs.

1. Are you a Certified Integrative Manual Therapist?

Ask whether the practitioner has graduated from the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy (CSIMT) and gone through the certification process. This is currently the only school training IMT practitioners and the program is a three year program with a total of 12 full time weeks over the 3 years. Certified practitioners use the initials I.M.T,C. for Integrative Manual Therapist, Certified. Many of these certified practitioners are also massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists. They work in a variety of settings, including multi-disciplinary clinics, hospitals and private practices.

2. What other licenses do you hold?

This can be important to know whether you will be able to get any insurance reimbursement for the treatment. It can also let you know about what other areas of specialization, the practitioner has.

3. Do you have a specialty?

Most Integrative Manual Therapists treat a range of conditions from back pain and joint dysfunctions to circulatory and neurological issues as well as men and women's health concerns. Some IMT practitioners specialize in working with vision problems, spinal cord issues, children with autism or cerebral palsy, infertility issues, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular dysfunctions and more. Certified practitioners have access to a wide range of techniques and can often consult with other therapists who specialize in your area of concern.

4. How many treatments will I need?

This is one of the hardest questions and shouldn't be answered before the practitioners has had a chance to evaluate you. Integrative Manual Therapy focuses on the individual and what individual problems are contributing to the symptoms. Initially a "map" of your body will be created through hands on evaluation. From there the practitioner should have a better idea of how involved the condition is.

Copyright 2006 Kimberly Burnham, PhD, LMT, IMTC is a certified Integrative Manual Therapy practitioner practicing in Bloomfield, CT, USA. She has a PhD in Integrative Medicine and specializes in neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS) as well as working with vision problems and with children with Autism and Cerebral Palsy. There is also more information at www.CenterIMT.com.