Integrative Diagnostics

Our clinical process begins with Integrative Diagnostics. Traditional diagnoses often merely corroborate a patient's symptoms rather than identifying the true source. Based on the philosophy of our Integrated Systems Approach, Integrative Diagnostics provides in-depth evaluation of the body in order to determine the systems involved at the core of the problem.

Integrative Diagnostics incorporates many traditional evaluation methods including the following and more:

• Static and Dynamic postural observation


• Soft tissue palpation


• Joint range of motion measurements


• Biomechanical assessment


• Basic palpation of joint mobility and articular balance


• Assessment of muscle strength


• Assessment of muscle tone


• Neurologic testing (sensory and motor)

Integrative Diagnostics include the basic evaluation methods listed above as well as advanced techniques that assess multiple aspects of dysfunction. The evaluation may range from physical to non-physical constructs (i.e. emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and more). Our practitioners use novel and proprietary techniques to palpate tissues, structures and energy on all three planes—transverse, sagittal and coronal. Once specific sites of dysfunction are identified in the body, practitioners correlate them with patho-physiology and functional impairments. They combine this information with their knowledge of the body systems and systems integration to identify system-specific dysfunction.

Several key techniques and technologies developed by Sharon (Weiselfish) Giammatteo Ph.D., P.T. comprise Integrative Diagnostics. Because different diagnostics reveal different perspectives, these diagnostic techniques are used in concert. The following are some of the main diagnostic components used at CenterIMT.

Myofascial Mapping is based on the recognition that all body tissues have inherent movement patterns. These movement patterns are called motilities. Sharon (Weiselfish) Giammatteo Ph.D., P.T. discovered a rhythm for the connective tissue system (fascia) while investigating other body motilities. The connective tissue system is the only system in the body that is continuous and contiguous. Fascia envelops every structure in the body. If there is dysfunction in a region of the body in any system (i.e. an organ, muscle, vessel, or other), the dysfunction will present itself through the fascia. Myofascial Mapping is a method of palpating the rhythm of the fascia in an accurate and reproducible manner to discover primary sites of dysfunction in the body. Mapping allows the practitioner a broader view of a client’s dysfunctional patterns. It does not provide information on what specific system is impaired at the site of mapping. Once the sites of mapping are determined, further diagnostic tools are used to determine the extent of cell, tissue, organ and system involvement. Coupled with other diagnostic findings, including a client’s medical history and their signs and symptoms, the information derived from the mapping helps create a current holographic map of where to start the client’s path towards recovery.

An example of how Myofascial Mapping is used can be illustrated with a client who has suffered a stroke and presents with left hemiplegia. The client may present with sensory and motor impairments of the left side of the body. Left hemiplegia is commonly caused by a stroke of the right parietal lobe. Positive Myofascial Mapping should be found at the right parietal region. If the Myofascial Mapping presents as negative at this region, this is an indication to do even further diagnostics to see what else has contributed to the sensory and motor impairments in that client.

In another example, a child has the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder. This diagnosis is most commonly given to children who present with cognitive impairments in the classroom. If the child has cognitive impairments, very likely there will be positive Myofascial Mapping found at the frontal lobe which is the center for cognition in the brain. If there is negative Myofascial Mapping at the frontal region, this suggests that there are no real cognitive deficits and that the Attention Deficit Disorder is due to some other area of dysfunction in the body. Perhaps there is positive Myofascial Mapping over the occipital lobe or over the eyes. This finding would suggest that maybe the attention deficit was due to visual problems. Maybe prior evaluation of the child missed the visual problem and gave the child a misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Neurofascial Process / Listening is a treatment and diagnostic tool. In treatment, Neurofascial Process (NFP) provides a way to enhance internal communication between different bodily systems and regions. Used diagnostically, Neurofascial Listening provides a method of determining anatomic and physiologic relationships throughout the body. Neurofascial Listening can determine what other sites of dysfunction in the body are contributing to that person’s signs and symptoms. If initial diagnostics reveal dysfunction in the liver, for example, Neurofascial Listening can identify if toxicity in the gastro-intestinal tract may be contributing. If dysfunction is found in the bladder, the Listening can be used to determine if there is kidney dysfunction that is contributing. Perhaps it would be more efficient to treat the kidneys first. Neurofascial Process and Neurofascial Listening are used often in the clinic to increase efficiency and effectivity in treatment.

5-point Longitudinal Pressure Scan allows a practitioner to identify the major site of dysfunction in the body that affects more vital capacities and functions and requires a higher level of (pathology) protection.
Further evaluation or immediate treatment is often indicated with the findings from this diagnostic technique.

Hand Mapping is a neuro-reflexogenic method of assessment utilizing dorsal and volar aspects of the hand to locate areas of dysfunctions in the body relating to toxicity.

Nullification Process identifies the most significant dysfunction(s) in the body at any one time. It provides a vehicle for identifying the hierarchy of dysfunction in body. Utilizing two or more mapping sites for a concurrent comparison, a practitioner can determine which areas need primary intervention. The manual practitioner uses Neurofascial Listening and inhibition to gauge each Mapping site in relation to another. The more significant dysfunctional areas will always nullify another area of dysfunction. If positive Myofascial Mapping is found at the heart, left kidney and prostate, for example, Nullification Process can determine which problem is dominant and therefore, should be treated first. This process helps the practitioner establish a hierarchy of influence between and among various tissues, organs, and systems. Treating the most influential structures first can expedite treatment for both the client and practitioner.

Motility Testing utilizes various biologic (circadian) rhythms specific to different systems in the body. This diagnostic technique assesses a specific rhythm of a specific system to determine the physiologic function of that system. Myofascial Mapping is a diagnostic tool that utilizes the biologic rhythm of the connective tissue system to find areas of connective tissue dysfunction. Motilities have measurable qualities including amplitude, symmetry, synchrony, and rate. In addition to guiding treatment, Motility Testing can be used to evaluate the client’s physiological response to external substances such as food, chemicals, and medications. It allows a practitioner to determine how well the body will detoxify from ingesting specific foods or supplements. In the case of products like green tea, Motility Testing can also indicate a positive benefit regarding healing or detoxification.

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