The Nebraska Medical Center’s Pain Management Program uses a form of physical therapy called multi-dimensional manual physical therapy (MMPT).

Traditional physical therapy relies on clinical biomechanics that include the physics of the musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones and joints) as well as the function of the nervous system. However, in the treatment of chronic pain, we have found that we often must expand our understanding of biomechanics as well as our treatment approach to include other body systems such as the nervous system, vascular systems, organs and relevant interrelated reflexes, each of  which may play a significant role in contributing to chronic pain. This method of therapy is called multi-dimensional manual physical therapy. More than 25 years of experience in the treatment of chronic pain disorders has resulted in the formulation of MMPT strategies that have been drawn from numerous clinical disciplines and have demonstrated effectiveness over time in the Department of Pain Management. As new research information in related clinical fields is acquired, this information is integrated into our strategies to provide our patients with the most current and up-to-date therapies and approaches.

The Nebraska Medical Center Pain Management Department realizes that each person responds differently to pain and treatment. As such, exercise strategies are included with MMPT treatments and are tailored to be compatible with each person’s specific structural and anatomic needs.

Expected outcomes from MMPT include:

1. increased tolerance for reasonable activities.
2. reduction of pain intensity.
3. reduced occurrence of pain episodes.
4. reduced duration of pain when it does occur.
5. the elimination of pain, depending on the person’s status.

Multidimensional physical therapy is not:

There are no joint ‘thrusting’ or ‘adjustment’ procedures. There are no painfully deep pressures or techniques provided, thereby minimizing the risk of additional irritation and sensitization of the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS) sensitization. Multi-dimensional manual physical therapy is not “energy work” because the purpose of treatment is to maximize physiologic and mechanical function. Energy work refers to hands-off manual therapy including, but not limited to: reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, reading of the human aura and Barbara Brennan’s energy therapies.

Traditional physical therapy is typically not included in multi-dimensional manual physical therapy because the approaches have usually been tried and have either provided inadequate results or have failed. There are numerous competent traditional physical therapists in the Omaha clinical community. If such interventions are needed, a recommendation or referral may be made at the time treatment begins or at some point during the course of treatment.