As we prepare for an exciting time connecting with enthusiastic student leaders and seasoned PTs alike at the APTA Next Conference in Nashville this week, we wanted to introduce you to an inspiring manual therapy leader based in Tennessee, NAIOMT Clinical Fellowship Instructor, Rebecca Lowe, PT, COMT, FAAOMPT.

Last year Rebecca released an important book addressing a topic that millions of Americans struggle with every day–chronic pain. We asked her to reflect on why it is she decided to write Restoring Hope in Chronic Pain a whole person perspective from an Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist (OMPT). 

Here’s what she had to say:

The only explanation for why I wrote this book is that I felt like I had to write it. I was compelled. I wrote it for my patients. They have given me so much by telling me their stories and for letting me be a part of their story. They have taught me so much, and I want to give them everything I can. Sometimes there are things that I cannot say in the context of a treatment session, but here, I tell them everything that I have learned over the years and share it all unreservedly. In this book, I have them look at their life-story context for pain, an explanation of different types of pain, and some advice for their pain journey.

One of my main messages in the book is that “one thing cannot heal everything.” And, “do not seek help from practitioners who increase your fear and dependence on them.” Decreasing fear and stress and being an active part of your treatment is important. And, there is always hope.

Take a look around you next time you are at a restaurant, or grocery shopping. Everyone needs hope. Look at the faces around you. There is so much stress and pain in the world. My next book will be to healthcare practitioners. We need hope ourselves if we are going to be able to offer hope. We need care and healing too. And, we can help bring hope and healing by caring.

And, the album Hope Tonight by Melanie Penn needs to be playing while you read the book, because music and lyrics can also help bring hope!

About Rebecca Lowe, PT, COMT, FAAOMPT

Rebecca is a 1993 graduate of the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She received her NAIOMT Level III and Level IV certification by 1999. Ms. Lowe graduated from the NAIOMT Clinical Fellowship Program in 2006 and is a NAIOMT Clinical Fellowship Instructor. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy accepted her as a Fellow in 2007.

Since 2001, she has owned Manual Therapy of Nashville. She has published two articles on the topic of adhesive capsulitis of the hip and has given lectures professionally and to her community. Ms. Lowe has pioneered a niche practice area, Dermo-Myofascial Therapy that focuses on the dermis using manual therapy and dry needling for scars and wrinkles. She teaches these techniques in a class for NAIOMT, entitled “The Beauty of Manual Therapy.” Her passions are empowering people to be a part of their own treatment team, innovation in OMPT, and teaching. She also enjoys family and friends, reading, hiking, biking, and camping.