Integrative Rehabilitation Practice

"Health care" as practiced these days is dysfunctional. This detailed text was created to advance an ongoing necessary evolution of current rehabilitation practice. Utilizing realistic case examples and opportunity for personal reflection, it serves as a complex, "deep-dive" resource manual for developing holistic humanistic healthcare practices for "post normal" times. It pragmatically outlines the nuts and bolts of a model of true healthcare that offers practitioners examples of practice models based on an alternative to those currently utilized which were created from an outmoded linear science that reflects a "fix-it" mentality of disease and disability management. This manual offers an evidence-based foundation of how to provide patient care emphasizing authentic health care that is comprehensive and relational, where the patient is sovereign, and all systems coordinate and cooperate to offer comprehensive holistic care. -- Carol M. Davis, DPT, EdD, MS, FAPTA Myofascial Release Physical Therapist, Integrated Physical Therapy and Wellness Professor, Emerita Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
I am not sure I can contain my enthusiasm about this textbook! Finally, a comprehensive and inclusive text that presents an expanded whole person, heart-centered rehabilitation paradigm for rehabilitation. The perfect blend of evidence, clinical examples, experimental learning, and reflection helps me personally engage with the material and feel empowered to be part of the process of transforming healthcare. I am thrilled to recommend this must-have text and cannot wait to share its contents with my students. -- Michelle Bradshaw, DC, OTR/L Associate Professor and Chair of Graduate Studies, Department of Occupational Therapy, Ithaca College
This book is the most important and relevant collection of expert perspectives on integrative rehabilitation. I highly recommend this book for all healthcare professionals and even to patients. The breadth of collective knowledge and depth of experience brings together the most comprehensive wisdom on integrative rehab practice in print. This book is an empowering read and the experiential pauses throughout the book make the learning "hands on". Through stories and cases, the authors beautifully weave the importance of the whole person into the care of the physical body while recognizing the power and complexity of the mind and spirit in the healing process. -- Mari Ricker, MD Associate Professor in Family and Community Medicine and Assistant Professor in Family and Community Medicine, Director of Integrative Medicine in Residency, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

The use of storytelling in this text brings each chapter alive engaging the reader in a practical and accessible way no matter the profession or environment you are working in. With a focus on cultivating psychological flexibility in relationship to science, within ourselves and with our clients it serves a purpose at various levels of the mind-body-environment connection. The authors humbly create a case for embracing uncertainty which is embedded within IRP. Therefore, if you are wanting to cultivate fresh eyes and clearer sight into your experience as a rehab practitioner or have just entered the field, then this is a valuable new resource for that creation to begin.

-- Louise Sanguine, OTR/L Occupational Therapist, Adolescent Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Therapist, AB, Canada Occupational Therapy Consultant, Simply Counseling Services and Imagine Psychological Services

This book is a totally unique book that should be read by a range of professionals. Health Professionals, students going through training in any health care field, Public Health Professionals, Politicians, and of course people that are experience anything less than acceptable levels of health should read this book.
The first part of this book suggests a new base/concept/context for health. As it is stated in the book: "Not new tools on existing Practice Patterns, but a new orientation as base." I could not agree more. It is time that we stop "band aiding" a health care system that is not working towards healthy citizens and communities. We need to form a new base and this book suggests a new base that we at least should consider. It looks at relationship building between the health care worker and patient/client, and also how the environment and society has to be considered when we are looking at health. Part 1 includes many diagrams and figures that highlights the message that the editors are trying to convey and makes the writing much easier to follow.
There is a lot of talk about multi-disciplinary and trans disciplinary health care. Those are buzzwords in education and health care today. The editors do a very nice job suggesting that integrated health care is a more appropriate concept for the future.
Part 2 and 3 of the book are looking more at specific explorations and skills as well as public health and advocacy, and has been written by health care experts in a variety of fields. Not until the reader have a solid grounding in Part 1 should they go on and read Part 2 and 3, and then they should always tie the chapters in part 2 and 3, back to part 1. Many books become more fragmented when different contributors write individual chapters. Erb and Schmid have managed to incorporate the individual chapters with each other, without losing the connection to the vision that is laid out in part 1.
Overall, I strongly recommend this book. Part 1 should be read and re-read to ground the reader in the editors vision of a new health care that will bring forth healthier citizens and communities.

-- Staffan Elgelid, PT, PhD, GCFP, RYT 500, C-IAYT Professor in Physical Therapy, Nazareth College

Integrative Rehabilitation Practice (IRP) is the first book of its kind to apply the powerful mind-body concepts of Integrative Medicine to the field of rehabilitation. It is a Call to Action for all rehab professionals!
This comprehensive text allows clinicians to "walk the walk" of an integrated approach within our respective professions. The "Body-as-Machine" paradigm has served us well in solidifying skills in the "bio" component of rehab medicine. "YES/AND" is a tool that is expounded on throughout the text to embrace our "bio" history AND develop a whole person approach so as not to undervalue ourselves and our patients by offering a reductionistic view on health.
Experiential pauses are woven throughout each chapter to encourage reflection and integration of the concepts learned. There are no easy solutions or cookie-cutter approaches. There are no five-step solutions offered, rather a breadth and depth of knowledge that is a breeding ground for clinical growth and development.
With curiosity and humility, IRP serves as a guide and a resource to create the best possible future for yourself and all those you serve. As you embrace IRP, step into the future of rehab!

-- Carolyn Vandyken, PT Registered Physiotherapist, Physio Works Muskoka Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Educator, Advocate, Researcher Co-Founder, Reframe Rehab
This book is the expression of an important evolution in creating the necessary bridge between mind and body and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary care. With this book, the authors set out a new course for future-oriented rehabilitation care. The focus is not purely on the functional aspect of care but also on optimizing the well-being and empowering of the individual by promoting physical activity, exercise, movement awareness and functional movement and thus bringing together physical and mental aspects. Inviting people to the integrative rehabilitation practice is not always about finding a direct solution; it is rather about helping people to start a dialogue with their body. The versatile book provides a comprehensive overview of practices, which stress the centrality of the body to overcome psychological distress. Everyone in clinical practice will find something to suit his taste, regardless of his or her theoretical or therapeutic background. Moreover, this book provides food for thought and that is what a good book should do. Reflection is the basis of successful and quality care in the rehabilitation sector. -- Em. Prof Michel Probst, PT, Ph.D Department Rehabilitation Sciences KU Leuven,Belgium. President of the International organization for Physical Therapy in Mental Health
When you recognise that a holistic approach to assessment and care is the next step in your work as a rehab professional, this is the book to open. You have learned that biopsychosocial, and holistic and body-mind views are best to serve your patients, but you don't yet have the language for a coherent discussion on the topic. You understand these approaches but lack the skills to translate key concepts to effective assessment or treatment. Open this book to any chapter; had this been the framework of a compulsory pre-licensure course, your work to date would have been far more effective. -- Neil Pearson, PT, MSc(RHBS), BA-BPHE, C-IAYT, E-RYT500 Physical Therapist, Yoga Therapist Clinical Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia Lead Contributor, Pain Foundations Pain BC
This book is a missing contextual link that can be used for medical and other health care students about integrative medicine and care. The book is well organized and the exercises deepen the flow. I believe every person who has the opportunity to serve others in healthcare would benefit tremendously from reading Integrative Rehabilitation Practice. This book reminds us of the many beautiful ways we are able to interact with each other and how very powerful each interaction can be. -- Anne E. (Annie) Weisman, Ph.D., M.P.H., L.M.T. Director of Wellness & Integrative Medicine University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Medicine
Person-centred care has long been a buzz word in healthcare. Transitioning from the biomedical model into an integrated and complexity model is challenging, and can feel so wide it's impossible to see round. This book is a great introduction to some complex theories and will give you a wide, flexible framework to develop your practice within. Opening up the 'thinking space' to nurture collaboration and tailor individualised, meaningful care. In short, it will help you do your job. -- Laura Rathbone, BA BSc MSc MCSP MACP HCPC Advanced Physiotherapist, Consultant, and Educator Specialised in complexly presenting pain conditions
Integrative Rehabilitation Practice, compiled edited by Matt Erb and Arlene Schmid, is more than a textbook. It is a living, breathing and crucial guide to truly integrate the mind and body in a medical realm that has long only attended to the physical. They even take the needed leap to demonstrate the role of nutrition, gut health and epigenetics and give a broader view of the complexities these providers negotiate even in just one diagnosis. As an Integrative Physician myself, I was astounded at the attention to not only how to cultivate an integrative practice within the provider's practice, but to the integration of that work within the provider themselves. Studying this book is an alive experience as the reader is encouraged throughout to weave the teachings into their own selves and not just be a passive learner. There is thoughtful attention and to the language we can use and our need to wield its power in a way that empowers the patient for a collaborative relationship with us and with themselves. The guidance found in this work expands the integration of the mind and body to a new level and will no doubt forge a deeper path for Integrative Medicine within all of health care. -- Tanmeet Sethi, MD Fellowship Director and Faculty, Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine Residency Assistant Professor, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA
The forthcoming book, Integrative Rehabilitation Practice by Matt Erb and colleagues is a landmark book for the rehab professions, particularly physical therapy. This book provides us, educators in academic and clinical settings with critical depth to concepts where we often just scratch the surface. While we talk about taking a wholistic approach to patient care and integrating all body systems, the socio-cultural-behavioral systems consistently receive little curricular attention and limited research funding, yet fully understanding the lived experience of the patient is central to all clinical care. The chapters provide sound evidence of important concepts and models that have direct clinical application. Concepts like social determinants of health and application of the ICF model are detailed in ways that makes them come "to life" for all learners, students and faculty. This book will have a transformative influence for several of us in the health professions. -- Gail M. Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA Professor Dean, Graduate School and College of Professional Studies, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Creighton University
In this book, INTEGRATIVE REHABILITATION PRACTICE - The Foundations of Whole-Person Care for Health Professionals, Matt Erb and Arlene Schmid seek to define and describe the complexities and philosophy of Integrative Rehabilitation Practice with success. In addition to great detail among the chapters regarding specific therapies with case examples, there is a refreshing experiential component that will surprise and enlighten readers. -- Dr. Bridget S. Chin