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Michelle Downing D.P.T.
Physical Therapist, PT, MPT, or DPT
13 Kilburn St. Suite 321
Burlington, VT 05401
p: 8025571349
f: 8023215382
Credentials
Accepts Insurance
About Michelle Downing
Michelle was born in Bennington, VT and grew up in the upstate New York town of Hoosick Falls. She currently lives in Underhill with her husband and cat. She began studying yoga at the age of 16, and it was through this consistent study and a yoga teacher training that, at the age of 30, she began working towards a physical therapy degree. She graduated from the University of Vermont Doctorate of Physical Therapy program (DPT) in 2012. While a student at UVM she had the great fortune to discover the Institute of Physical Art, and working both as a student at the flagship Johnson & Johnson clinic in Steamboat CO, and completing a 3 year residency program in Junction City, OR. She became a certified functional manual therapist (CFMT) as well as an orthopedic certified specialist (OCS) following the residency in 2015. In 2015 she returned to VT to work at Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga, where she united her passion for physical therapy and yoga. She completed coursework in pelvic floor rehabilitation through Herman & Wallace, and began studying visceral and neural manipulation with the Barral Institute. In recognition of the limits of manual therapy intervention, Michelle has most recently focused her curiosity on the science of the mind-body connection, otherwise known as pain neuroscience. In order to improve communication and understand goals, she has also dabbled in the study of motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy. Its with an open mind and heart, as well as this multifaceted education that Michelle approaches each client and treatment session.
Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT) with the Institute of Physical Art
Visceral Manipulation training with Barral Institute
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy training with Herman and Wallace
Therapeutic Pain Specialist through Evidence in Motion
Manual Therapy
Michelle has extensively studied Functional Manual Therapy (FMT) with the Institute of Physical Art and received her certification with this approach in 2014. FMT is a highly effective style of manual therapy that treats muscle, joint, fascial and nerve restrictions in order to restore movement, reduce pain and improve function. She also has studied visceral (organ) manipulation with the Barral Institue and integrates this technique into treatment of back and pelvic pain, as well as digestive, bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Pain Neuroscience Education (aka learning about pain)
If you are in pain, has anybody ever explained to why you hurt? Having pain is part of having a body, and yet pain is widely misunderstood in our culture. Understanding pain is very important in when pain persists past how long it would take for tissues to heal (typically 6 weeks-1 year.) Michelle will take the time to explain why you hurt, and work with you to determine a client specific plan for how to reduce and manage pain while improving your ability to return to activities you enjoy.
Mindfulness and Yoga
Michelle is a buddhist practitioner and yoga instructor. While she doesn't currently teach group yoga classes, yoga and mindfuness can be integrated into your treatment. Mindfulness and yoga are very useful for calming the nervous system, which is an important part of Michelle's pain management approach
Therapeutic Exercise and Neuromuscular re-education
In addition to rehabilitative exercise, Michelle is trained in the exercise modality Proprioceptive Neruomuscular Re-education (PNF). This means facilitating the mind's ability to re-connect to muscles and movement patterns that have been lost due to pain, periods of immobility, disuse, or other life effects (such as pregnancy.)
Body Mechanics Training
How we hold our bodies can impact the function of our stabilizing muscles (aka our "core"), contribute to pressure on the pelvic organs, and lead to overuse syndromes. Learning how to stand, sit, sleep, and otherwise move with good body mechanics is an essential component in pain management.
Low Back Pain, Pain, Pregnancy
Michelle Downing hasn't specified any additional languages.