Patients have experienced less pain, more mobility after block therapy
Dr. Zach Sweatman, owner of Phoenix Therapy and Training,has been working with people at Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc., for the past year and will be leaving Jacksonville later this summer.
Sweatman performs what is known as “block therapy,” which is a means through which the body can properly heal itself. This is accomplished through a three-pronged approach of creating space, along with inflating and maintaining that space, to restore proper alignment to the body and improve health.
Pathway supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which include people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and a variety of movement disorders. Sweatman, through his block therapy techniques, has been able to relieve some of the pain and pressure caused by these ailments.
“Often, the most physically disabled are kind of forgotten when it comes to care for the physical body, aside from expensive equipment. Chiropractic and self-care both seem largely absent with the population Pathway serves, as well as those who work for Pathway. I think this will help a lot of people who need it,” said Sweatman.
Sweatman has been incredibly helpful with Pathway’s population, including Penny Griffin, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has limited use of her hands. Penny operates a motorized wheelchair and many times, her right hand balls into a fist, which can make it difficult for her to direct her wheelchair. Sweatman has been working with Penny since he began with Pathway, and has been able to get Penny’s hand to open almost entirely with his block therapy interventions.
Sweatman is only the fourth certified block therapist in the United States. The other three are in New York, Colorado and California. Block therapy is bigger in Canada, where it started.
“Dr. Sweatman has been able to give pain relief, improve posture and improve the overall health of those he works with consistently. Those who have worked with Dr. Sweatman have all experienced improvement in mobility and physical health, as well as gained some empowerment in how to continue to improve their own health,” says Pathway’s Community Day Services Director Michael Elmore.
Sweatman will be leaving Jacksonville for Kentucky in August to be closer to his family. He will be dearly missed by those at Pathway Services and the Jacksonville community.
