Holistic Physical Therapy: A Whole-Body Solution for Chronic Pain Relief
- Colin O'Banion, DPT
- Dec 7, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
You’re likely no stranger to pain—maybe even chronic pain. And you’ve probably tried traditional physical therapy—perhaps multiple times—only to find that it didn’t deliver the results you were looking for.
When it comes to treating an acute injury like a sprained ankle or post-surgical rehab, standard physical therapy can of course be effective. But chronic pain often requires a different, more comprehensive approach.
Your experience with traditional physical therapy may have ben at a busy practice where the therapist is juggling multiple clients, and you’re left doing basic exercises, spending 30 minutes on a stationary bike, and another 10 minutes with a stim machine. It’s often a one-size-fits-all approach where the focus is often to address your symptoms temporarily but doesn’t take the time to uncover and treat the root cause of your pain.
If you're looking for a more whole-body approach, you are simply looking for what some call "holistic physical therapy" -- where we take a big-picture approach that evaluates every aspect of your condition to truly resolve your pain.
At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy, I bring 20 years of experience and a multi-faceted, diagnostic approach to care. Whether you’re managing back pain, recovering from an injury, or dealing with nagging stiffness that limits your mobility, my goal is to assess your condition from every angle, uncover the root cause, and guide you to lasting relief.
What is Holistic Physical Therapy?
Most traditional physical therapy practices focus on symptom relief, aiming to reduce pain in the short term. While this can provide temporary help, it often treats the body in isolation—focusing only on the area of pain—without considering how other parts of the body might be contributing to the problem. Traditional PT also operates within a limited scope, relying on standardized protocols that don’t always address the unique complexities of chronic pain or recurring injuries.
Additionally, traditional physical therapy often prioritizes short-term functional goals, such as improving immediate mobility or completing daily tasks, over comprehensive healing. This approach can leave the underlying cause of pain unaddressed, which is why symptoms frequently return.
In contrast, holistic physical therapy looks at the bigger picture. By treating the body as an interconnected system, it focuses on identifying and addressing root causes, not just symptoms. It combines advanced techniques, personalized care, and a preventative focus to deliver lasting results—helping you move better, feel better, and stay pain-free for the long term.
Key Elements of Holistic Physical Therapy
Comprehensive Assessment: Examining how your entire body moves and identifying patterns or habits that contribute to pain.
Advanced Techniques: Incorporating tools like manual therapy, shockwave therapy, and biohacking solutions to address pain at its root.
Lifestyle Integration: Coaching clients on habits like posture, movement, and stress management to support sustainable healing.
This approach is especially effective for people who feel like they’ve “tried everything” or haven’t seen results from conventional physical therapy.
How a Holistic Approach to Physical Therapy is Different
Most traditional physical therapy practices focus on symptom relief—reducing pain in the short term. While that can provide temporary help, it often leaves the underlying cause unaddressed, which is why symptoms tend to return.
In contrast, my holistic approach to physical therapy starts with a thorough evaluation and intake process. This isn’t a rushed session where your concerns are skimmed over—it’s an in-depth conversation and assessment designed to uncover the root cause of your pain. By truly listening to your story, your goals, and your experiences, I gain a complete picture of what’s going on and how best to help.
This process is:
Diagnostic: I take the time to analyze your symptoms, test my findings, and identify patterns that may not be immediately obvious. This ensures we’re treating the real issue, not just masking pain.
Collaborative: Your input is invaluable. Together, we’ll discuss your daily habits, physical activities, and pain triggers to build a plan tailored to your unique needs.
Comprehensive: My approach integrates multiple disciplines—from manual therapy to lifestyle coaching—to address pain from every angle.
This personalized and conversational approach sets the stage for meaningful, lasting relief—something a one-size-fits-all program just can’t deliver.
Techniques Used in Holistic Physical Therapy
At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy, I use a variety of advanced techniques to help you find lasting relief and restore your ability to move and live without pain. Every approach is tailored to meet your unique needs and to address the root causes of your discomfort.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to release muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and restore proper movement. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, sciatica, or neck stiffness, this approach can help you feel immediate relief while addressing underlying issues.
Best For: Tight muscles, joint restrictions, and posture-related pain.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to break up scar tissue, promote circulation, and stimulate deep healing. It’s an excellent option if you’ve been struggling with chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
Best For: Tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and deep-tissue injuries.
Dry Needling
Dry needling targets trigger points and knots in your muscles to release tension and improve mobility. By addressing these areas, it helps reduce pain and improve function in a variety of conditions.
Best For: Chronic muscle pain, tightness, and trigger point release.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy stimulates cellular healing by increasing circulation and reducing inflammation in targeted areas. If you’re looking to support your body’s recovery process, this non-invasive technique can make a big difference.
Best For: Inflammation, soft tissue injuries, and overall recovery support.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy uses suction to improve blood flow and release tight muscles. This technique can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation in the affected areas.
Best For: Muscle tension, circulation improvement, and stress relief.
Electrical Stimulation
When indicated I will utilize electrical stimulation with my NXPro machine. It enhances your body’s natural healing process by activating both the sensory and neuromuscular systems. This innovative approach accelerates recovery and improves functional movement.
Best For: Muscle activation, pain relief, and post-injury recovery.
Therapeutic Exercise
Customized exercise plans are a cornerstone of your care. These exercises are specifically designed to strengthen weak areas, correct imbalances, and restore functional movement patterns. I’ll guide you through a program that empowers you to stay pain-free long after therapy ends.
Best For: Strengthening weak areas, correcting movement patterns, and maintaining results.
Lifestyle Coaching
Your habits play a huge role in your recovery and long-term health. I’ll help you make small but impactful changes to your lifestyle, from stress reduction strategies to ergonomic adjustments, so you can support your healing and prevent future injuries.
Best For: Building sustainable habits, improving posture, and preventing pain triggers.
Real Client Success: A Personalized Healing Journey
Greg came to me after injuring his back during squats. As someone who has always been active in Jiu Jitsu, Rugby, hiking, and skiing, he was no stranger to physical therapy. However, his previous experiences hadn’t addressed the underlying issues that had contributed to previous injuries.
That’s where the holistic approach to physical therapy made all the difference.
During our initial session, we didn’t just focus on the immediate back pain. I conducted a comprehensive evaluation, which is a core part of my multi-disciplinary physical therapy approach, to uncover the root cause of his discomfort. This included identifying posture imbalances and areas of restricted mobility that were putting extra strain on his lower back.
We used a combination of manual therapy to release tension, a tailored home exercise program to strengthen weak areas, and strategies to improve his overall movement patterns. Within just a few weeks, he was already seeing significant progress—not just in pain relief but in his confidence to move freely and perform without fear of reinjury.
In Greg's own words: “Colin was a true coach and guide on my healing journey. He didn’t just treat my symptoms; he got to the root cause and gave me tools to feel better and move better for the long term.”
A personalized approach to physical therapy can make all the difference. By addressing the root cause of pain and providing tools for sustainable progress, my goal is always to help you return to the activities you love—and feel even stronger doing them.
Searching for a Holistic Physical Therapist: What to Look For
If you’ve been searching for a physical therapist that will take a big picture and comprehensive approach, it’s important to know what sets this approach apart. Given the business model of most practices, not all physical therapists are able to take the time or have the tools necessary to uncover the root cause of your pain, so choosing the right practitioner is essential.
When you work with a holistic physical therapist, you’re investing in more than short-term pain relief.
Here are key qualities to look for in a holistic physical therapist:
1. Performs a Thorough Evaluation
A great integrative physical therapist will take the time to understand your unique story. This includes not only assessing the site of your pain but evaluating your posture, movement patterns, and lifestyle habits. A thorough intake process should feel like a conversation, where your concerns are heard, and your goals are prioritized.
Why It Matters: A detailed evaluation ensures the treatment plan targets the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
2. Offers a Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Holistic physical therapy isn’t about a one-size-fits-all plan. The best therapists combine multiple techniques—such as manual therapy, dry needling, shockwave therapy, and therapeutic exercises—to address every aspect of your pain.
Why It Matters: By using a variety of tools, a therapist can create a plan that’s tailored to your needs and adapts as you progress.
3. Focuses on Root Causes
A holistic physical therapist digs deeper to identify what’s truly driving your discomfort. This could be anything from muscle imbalances to repetitive strain, poor posture, or even stress.
Why It Matters: Addressing the root cause leads to long-term pain relief and prevents the cycle of recurring symptoms.
4. Addresses Prevention and Future Resilience
Holistic physical therapy goes beyond just getting you back to feeling better—it equips you with the tools and knowledge to stay pain-free. Look for a root-cause-focused therapist who incorporates prevention strategies, such as posture education, movement coaching, and lifestyle adjustments.
Why It Matters: Prevention reduces the risk of future injuries, saving you time and frustration while keeping you active and healthy.
The Benefits of Choosing Holistic Physical Therapy
This approach helps you:
Move Freely: Restore mobility and strength to enjoy the activities you love.
Feel Empowered: Understand your body better and take control of your recovery.
Achieve Lasting Results: Address root causes for sustainable, long-term pain relief.
At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy, I focus on providing all of these benefits through a personalized, multi-disciplinary approach that puts your goals and health first.
Ready to Find the Right Fit?
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking for a more effective way to manage chronic pain, finding a holistic physical therapist is a step in the right direction. If you’re looking for a physical therapist in Boulder, CO, I’d love to help you experience the difference that an individualized, whole-body approach can make.
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