Thomas W. Findley, M.D., Ph.D.
Director for Research
Northern NJ Pain & Rehabilitation

My approach to patients combines my training and interest in many areas of medicine and health care. I have a longstanding interest in combining both traditional and alternative approaches, and received training in both acupuncture and homeopathy while still in medical school. I was also one of the co-principle investigators on a center for alternative medicine for persons with neurological and muscular conditions, sponsored by the NIH at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. I am now involved in a center for treatment of veterans with medically unexplained conditions http://www.wri.med.va.gov/ and in planning the First International Congress on Fascia Research.

Qualifications:
1973-7 MD Georgetown University
1983 PhD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University of Minnesota
1983 Board Certified, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
1985 Board Certified, American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
1987-90 Research Director, Rolf Institute
1993 Started Structural Integration program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, NJ
1993 Basic Training, Guild for Structural Integration
1998 Advanced Training, Rolf Institute
2005 Research Director, Rolf Institute
2006 Started Rolfing program at East Orange VA Medical Center, NJ

For people with very specific problems (for example, a pinched nerve in the neck) I may initially do a combination of structural integration and physical medicine to provide a direct impact on the area of greatest problem. I usually give my clients other exercises as well as directing them to other treatments which might be of benefit. I was fortunate to do my medical training with the physician who started the field of Physical Medicine and to benefit from his 30 years of clinical experience, and to receive additional training in anatomy as part of my coursework for my PhD. As a medical student, I introduced Ida Rolf to Georgetown University, and have continued for 30 years both research and clinical care.

I used this combined medical approach in my treatment of Christopher Reeve to help him activate enough muscles to allow him to breathe off the respirator for 45 minutes at a time (see his autobiography for details). Runners have documented a 10% improvement in running time, and others have shown improvement in balance. Improved range of motion and chest expansion has been seen in people with specific medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, head injury, and spinal cord injury.

What is Structural Integration (Rolfing)?

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What will I experience? Is it painful?

Most people experience a greater ease of movement after even the first session. This lasts for several days to a week after the first session, and gradually lasts longer and longer as the sessions progress. People with long standing medical problems often have some benefit after the first few sessions, and after 6 to 8 sessions notice a much larger change. A much softer technique is taught now than was taught 30 years ago, and causes much less discomfort. Direct pressure and stretching is used to change connective tissue. When chronic aches and pains are released, most people feel much better although there may be brief, limited discomfort at the time. Sometimes, if there are old injuries, the emotional memory of that injury may come back at the time of the treatment.

Will the changes last?

Your body is constantly changing as a result of the way you move. Muscles, bones, and connective tissue get stronger when they are used. By affecting the way you move, structural integration allows your body to continue and change after the treatments. 

Office locations: 214 State St #203 Hackensack NJ
445 S. Livingston Ave Livingston NJ
250 W. 49th #503 New York NY