Southern Tier Alternative Therapies operates within the Business Services industry and offers counseling and mental health programs for veterans, at-risk youth and those who have experienced trauma. Betsy is passionate about spreading Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), believing it has the power to completely change trauma’s face.
Hippotherapy/therapeutic riding
Hippotherapy is a form of physical therapy that utilizes horse movement to achieve therapeutic goals. Sessions are led by a physiotherapist trained in hippotherapy; riders do not actively control the horse, instead being guided through series of movements that mimic human walking motions. Each session can be tailored specifically for each client; for instance those suffering from hypertonia (an increase in muscle tone) may find riding horses improves both balance and flexibility.
Hippotherapy lessons utilize horses specifically trained to be safe and comfortable around individuals with special needs. When selecting horses for lessons, particular attention is paid to temperament and movement – this will allow therapists to use horse movement as part of a strategy for reaching occupational therapy, physical therapy or speech/language pathology goals for clients.
Therapists frequently collaborate with groups of clients in riding therapy sessions led by professional riding instructors and assistants. Therapists will tailor tack, equipment and physical supports specifically to each rider’s individual needs to ensure safe therapeutic activity while meeting their goal for that session.
Therapists use horse movement in their sessions to facilitate sensory processing. Its rhythm, tempo and cadence have a profound effect on clients’ vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile and visual systems; leading them to better process information leading to greater functional outcomes.
Speech/language pathologists who include hippotherapy into their treatments find it can have significant beneficial results on their client’s ability to communicate. The repetitive, rhythmical movement of the horse stimulates thinking and organization processes which helps individuals put together their thoughts more cohesively and express them more accurately.
Patients often require multiple therapy sessions before reaching their goal, and Instrumentl makes it easy to identify potential funding sources by producing user-friendly 990 reports based on IRS Form 990s from thousands of private foundations and nonprofit funders, making it simpler for individuals to locate funders that fit.
Massage
Massage involves the manipulation of skin and muscles through strokes such as stroking, kneading, warming, rolling and stroking; either gently or vigorously performed on skin and muscles. Massage has many health benefits that include relieving stress, pain and discomfort and increasing energy levels; in addition it’s being used to treat various health conditions.
Therapeutic massage can provide relief for a range of issues, from arthritis and back pain to anxiety and asthma. It has also been found to effectively treat asthma, constipation and high blood pressure. Therapeutic massage may also improve sleep and decrease fatigue; research suggests it can even reduce symptoms associated with fibromyalgia – a chronic condition which causes muscle pain and fatigue – as well as improve quality-of-life for those living with cancer and other chronic illnesses.
People living with terminal illnesses or physical disabilities often find comfort through therapeutic massage. Massage helps them feel cared for and less anxious, which in turn allows for improved communication with doctors and family members. Massage may also be used alongside other forms of therapy to foster communication and trust between doctor/patient relationships as well as between caregiver/client interactions; and is also frequently utilized with children who depend on touch to communicate.
Massage relieves muscle and tissue tension while stimulating circulation, relieving pain and speeding healing processes while decreasing stiffness and soreness. Furthermore, this therapy allows oxygen and nutrients to reach all parts of the body to enhance organ performance as well as increase self-esteem and self-worth – which is especially crucial when living with serious conditions.
Most massages start off with a comprehensive consultation in which the therapist will ask about your medical history and address any special needs or concerns you might have. After this meeting, they’ll give you space to undress and relax – typically they will cover you with a towel before leaving the room so that you can redress at your own pace!
Nutritional counseling
Nutritional counseling is the process by which a trained health professional assists individuals in making healthier food choices and developing healthier eating habits. Nutritional counseling also assists with managing chronic conditions and side effects from medications taken for chronic illnesses; additionally it can teach individuals how to consume a well-rounded diet with adequate calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and other nutritional elements such as lean meats, low-fat dairy products and whole grains for maximum nutritional intake.
Dietitians or nurses typically offer nutritional counselling. A patient-centred approach is necessary to improve outcomes; however, many patients face barriers in accessing care such as lack of time, resources or cultural context. Innovative methods must also be found for providing nutrition care; technologies like e-counselling may offer greater access for some individuals.
An important element of nutritional counseling is setting goals with your client and counselor, based on behaviors they want to change such as increasing or decreasing fruit and vegetable consumption or cutting salt consumption. Nutritional counselling also assists clients in learning how to prepare healthy meals from scratch or make intelligent dining choices when dining out.
Nutritional counselors must also identify behavioral goals for individuals as well as their typical eating patterns. A food frequency questionnaire is an effective way of getting an accurate representation of an individual’s energy and nutrient intake; typically asking them to keep track of what they eat for three consecutive days before filling out this form.
Nutritional counseling seeks to make individuals more at ease when discussing their health, which is especially true of people living with disabilities. The first step in nutritional counseling involves building trust between counsellor and patient through open and honest dialogue and an appreciation of each person’s unique requirements.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient discipline combining physical exercise, mental concentration and spiritual awareness into one holistic practice. Yoga has quickly become a popular way to increase balance, strength and flexibility while relieving stress and encouraging a positive outlook on life. Unfortunately, however, many misunderstand its true purpose; this may result in misuse or even abuse by individuals unaware of its spiritual significance, potentially keeping those who might benefit from deeper levels of practice from giving it a try altogether.
Yoga has long been seen as an approach to holistic health that encompasses mind and body. Yoga’s foundation lies in the belief that all dimensions are interdependent; illness in one part impacts another part; this concept can also be found in Buddhism or Taoism. Furthermore, Yoga offers ethical principles known as the Yamas and Niyamas which can assist practitioners during daily practice.
Modern yoga has evolved to fit within the Western fitness and health paradigm, emphasizing physical postures (asanas) and breathing techniques such as pranayama or pranayam. Chanting, meditation, relaxation techniques or relaxation sessions may also be used during practice to further the benefits of Yoga practice for health and well-being. Yoga has the power to strengthen strength, stability, endurance and concentration as well as reduce stress, anxiety depression or chronic diseases such as heart disease diabetes or high blood pressure.
Yoga can assist those struggling with mental health conditions like depression, stress and anxiety by relaxing the nervous system and shifting balance away from sympathetic “fight or flight” responses toward parasympathetic “rest and digest” ones. Yoga also increases hemoglobin and red blood cell counts which improve oxygen delivery to cells for greater functionality of organ systems in the body.
Practice Yoga and you may come to realize that all that surrounds you – the people and things you like or dislike, those whom you love or do not – is only temporary and memories are mere projections. Furthermore, when experiencing oneness through Yoga practice you become part of its greater truth.
