EP 155 - Trauma-Informed Physiotherapy, Part 1

In this part 1 episode I chat with friend and colleague Robyn Synnott about what it means to be a trauma informed physiotherapist. We delve into how we got into the Poly-Vagal Theory and how that has changed the way we practice and educate clients. We talk about how being trauma informed and using the Poly-Vagal theory is in our scope of practice and why we as physiotherapist may be resistant to these types of approaches.

We discuss how we have implemented the Poly-Vagal theory into our practices and incorporated with other aspects of trauma informed care.

We chat about how we are using the DIMs and SIMs exercise in practice in light of the Poly-Vagal theory. We share important concepts, ideas we have learned from mentors over the years both within our practice with clients but also as part of our self-care approach. We get into top down versus bottom up approaches to care, central sensitization and the biopsychosocial approach to physiotherapy.

We have many mentors we would like to thank for their contribution to our growth as therapists and I’ve also included which episode to listen to of The Living A Better Life Podcast to hear from the mentors themselves.

Lindsey Vestal @functionalpelvis Episode 73 Pelvic Floor Myth Busting

Carolyn Vandyken @reframerehab Episode 74 The End of Physiotherapy as we know it

Neil Pearson @paincareu Episode 77 Safety, Danger and Hope

Shelly Prosko @proskoyoga Episode 39: Yoga and Physiotherapy

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk @bessel_van

Dr. Gabor Mate @drgabormatemd

Dr. Stephen Porges

Dr. Peter Levine

Maddi Rundle @maddi.rundle

Contact Info for Robyn

Website https://www.yourebbandflow.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/physio.robyn