This Message is Personal.

What is Health?

What is Brain-Based PT?

Who Am I?

Great questions!

My name is Karen Fergason I am what I have decided to call an integrative physical therapist. I am hoping to gain the attention of those experiencing chronic pain, especially women, as I am a fellow pilgrim on this journey. The brain and the power of neuroplasticity has been the focus of my post graduate education and practice over the last fifteen years, which has successfully altered how I think about, well, basically everything.

Brain based PT presents an argument that health, I mean real whole hearted health requires us to look at life differently with an awareness that is not easy to embrace because it’s, maybe, too simple? I am sounding the alarm. Pain tends to get people’s attention, now that I have it, I want to connect dots for everyone between chronic pain, systemic inflammation, emotional health, and nutritional decisions with the epidemic of alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autoimmune disease, autism, diabetes and obesity in the western world. The amazing news about this sobering news is that the body has an amazing ability to heal itself!

This information is not hard to understand, it’s hard to believe because it’s so simple. The hardest step is deciding to be an active participant in your health and beginning this journey with an open mind. Traditional physical therapy can be effective for acute injuries, education and activity specific strengthening guidelines, however long term life changes with chronic pain and vibrant health requires a longer conversation. Brain based PT is the doorway to begin this conversation.

I am not selling anything. I will not tell you what to do, nor will I follow up to see what you are doing with this information. This is because I know how the brain works (and I’ve parented 6 kids)!

For whole hearted life long changes to emerge, you have to have the freedom to do what you think is best for you. You have to find delight and internal personal motivators. You must have choices and determine what is right for you and when. What I will do is walk with you. I will be available to answer questions and point you in the right direction. I will refer you to resources for you to take charge of your own health.

Chronic pain always has a personal story, I know, and tends to travel with a slow progression toward decreased movement, weight gain, decreased motivation, sleeplessness, brain fog, pre-diabetes, etc. In America, the number of individuals diagnosed with a disease of the spine based on an MRI is astounding. Many of these individuals have also been given a number of related diagnosis’ with accompanying pharmaceuticals and recommendations to limit activities.

I want to begin a conversation, a discussion about how health is truly integrative. I want to have a conversation about how all the systems in the body interact and work together for optimal health and vibrant living. Honestly, I am also after the children. I have worked with the pediatric population for over ten years and I have learned that in order to make integrative changes in the younger generation, I must start with the parents, or maybe even the grandparents. The word addiction tends to catch people’s attention. The world you live in may or may not grapple with the perils of heroine or alcoholism, but honestly, the addiction to comfort, control, productivity, highly processed food and refined sugar are just as problematic.

We have a responsibility to our children. They will benefit for a lifetime from the hard decisions we make today in understanding the truth about integrative health. The truth is buried behind clever marketing, erroneous government standards and research funded by pharmaceutical companies with obvious conflicts of interest.

I want to challenge ways of thinking, bump up against traditions, beliefs, cultures and habits that are not recognized as being dangerously unhealthy. I want to join the courageous group of emerging healthcare providers in exposing the truth about conventional western medicine, government controlled recommendations and the standard American diet. There are alternatives.

I want to introduce the idea of integrative health and help individuals understand the role of the brain in health and the power of neuroplasticity (changes in the brain) in order to optimize the quality of life. This is brain based PT. The body has an amazing ability to respond to small intentional changes. There is no cost to taking control of your thoughts. There is no risk to movement and no side effects to getting serious about what you put in your mouth. But there is also no money to be made in giving you the information to heal yourself. This is why this information may be new to you. The remarkable new is: healing can happen!

There is nothing I or anyone else can do “to you” that will make long lasting life changes to your chronic pain and general health. I am available to empower you to help yourself. I will be unapologetically honest and provide information for you to go on your own healing journey. It is important for you to be honest with yourself and decide to make some changes to see some changes. Sometimes it is more fun to have moral support!

My message and purpose became very personal and very clear on August 15, 2023. I realize this is when I found my courage and my future. I will not be quiet. I no longer tip-toe around topics that are uncomfortable or hard. I lean into them. This information must be discussed and I am a testimony of what I stand for. I feel a responsibility to share information and if I can help even one person become more empowered and confident to take control of their health, then it is worth it. I want to be clear, there is not a one size to health that fits all!

This is an awakening. An awakening to truths that could change your life.

On August 15, 2023, John, my beloved husband of 29 years and father of our six children, was given a terminal diagnosis and died within eleven months. John, unknowingly had metabolic syndrome which ultimately resulted in cancer.

This message is personal.

This message also reflects my own journey back after losing what seemed like, everything, even my health. I am still walking this journey daily, making the hard decisions. I mentioned this information is rather simple to understand, that does not, however, make these changes easy to sustain.

Where does a conversation like this begin? Another great question.

Integrative health and addressing chronic pain is not only a physical problem, but also a spiritual and emotional journey. It is a journey aligning every part of our life with God, or a higher awareness for those who do not share my Christian faith, in order to work through restrictions and injuries. Physical pain and restrictions mirror emotional pain and restrictions that we may not be aware of. The body has a way of keeping the score even when the brain and conscious awareness have moved on.

I have summarized my Brain Based Core Program targeting chronic pain and optimal health into 5 pillars of health:

1. The brain’s role in pain and the importance of the right movement to rewire the brain

2. The hidden treasure in breathing and breathing mechanics

3. The importance of the vagal nerve and gut health

4. The honest truth about nutrition

5. Emotional/Spiritual health

When it is the right time in your life and you are interested in information to help you implement changes, consider participating in the online Brain Based PT Core Program. The Brain Based PT Core Program consists of 8 weekly discussions about what I have determined are important pillars of health. These discussions will be live using Zoom and possibly recorded for participants to listen to at a later time.

Each discussion will have written notes provided and recommended resources for a deeper dive into specific topics. You can also dive a little deeper into these specific topics by joining one of the online BBPT discussions or join me in person for a group discussion in the cabin at Brain Based PT in San Antonio, Texas.

I do work with clients individually using nontraditional therapeutic techniques including but not limited to craniosacral therapy, feldenkrais based movement lessons, postural restoration techniques and hippotherapy pending scheduling availability. Additional information about these methods and the Tomatis neurostimulation program can be found on the website brainbasedpt.com. These appointments are scheduled after participation in the Brain Based PT Core Program and intake forms are completed.

STARTING POINT:

Finally, I have a suggested starting point before you invest time and resources in the Brain Based PT Core Program. I believe these suggestions will be helpful in getting the most out of our time together and open the door to change your life.

1. Seriously consider the paradigm shift that will need to happen to make long lasting changes to your health and the quality of your life. Information and changes could challenge deeply embedded habits and beliefs about pain, medicine, food, culture, self image, spirituality, unforgiveness, trauma, self care, etc. Thoughts are powerful and they shape actions and behaviors. A paradigm shift requires curiosity and courage.

2. I encourage you to make the decision to stop eating fast food and ultra-processed pre-prepared food. At least make this decision for the days you plan to engage in the brain based pt core program. I hope this challenge isn’t too hard, however this precipitates honesty, exposes unhealthy habits and is a starting point to a life change. Without this decision, exceptions will sneak in that sabotage results and health.

3. Eliminate regular drinking of soda and all drinks loaded with sugar including sports drinks, 100% fruit juices and any artificial sweeteners. This is really not a huge sacrifice! It’s a simple, important decision yet can be harder to sustain if this is a daily habit.

4. This was a hard step for me personally for many reasons: but I want you to recognize restaurants are a liability, not a friend. I know it is culturally universal to celebrate events with food, however this directly affects chronic pain and overall health for reasons that will be discuss later in the Brain Based PT Core program. Choose to eat out infrequently and intentionally, not for convenience, but for the purpose of celebrating relationships.

5. Move. This is my favorite pillar (after all, I am a PT) because I know the difference it can make in all areas of life. Start from wherever you are and make some sort of movement a part of everyday life (walking, swimming, yoga, exercise bike). This does not mean begin an intense exercise program, that is something different. I am suggesting intentional yet enjoyable, pain free movement! This is discussed further in the Brain Based PT Core Program. The brain needs sensory input (movement) to change and health begins with changes to the brain. I am aware this requires time and often something must change before changes can be made. Now is the time for change.

Thank you for listening to or reading this message.

Know that I am for you!

I can’t wait to meet you!

Contact me for details at brainbasedpt@gmail.com when you are ready to take charge of your health and join the Brain Based PT Core Program, a weekly online hour discussion for 8 weeks.

*An important disclaimer: if you have experienced an acute injury such as a fall, car accident or trauma, especially to the head, please seek medical assistance. Traditional therapy, chiropractic or emergency care can make a difference!