Doing so tells a patient "to continually stay in a tight place," she said. Better is addressing the tensions that cause the pain. And that may take an integrated approach that includes other modalities, as well, from yoga to massage therapy or seeing an osteopath or psychologist, tai chi, acupuncture, "whatever works and enhances healing for that patient." Powell teaches breathing techniques that help, and exercise is an important part of treatment, too.

"Part of what we do is helping a patient see what else is needed. Maybe you need someone to talk to to help you work through an issue you're getting stuck in that is also related to a physical problem," Powell said. "It needs to happen from a number of different health professionals. We encourage patients to take responsibility and to see what works for them. This manual therapy is one type of approach that helps them get through."

Integrated manual therapy may help both chronic and traumatic injuries and illnesses, Glaser-Gormally said.

Insurance that covers physical therapy covers integrated manual therapy.

Glaser-Gormally said benefits include decreased pain, increased mobility and ease of activities, increased potential for overall health and wellness and improved body awareness.

For Drits and Archer, it's much simpler than that.

"I absolutely do things I couldn't do," Drits said. "Yoga and tai chi are both therapeutic and I am able to do a lot I wouldn't have been able to do. I can go on long hikes now. It's so much better."

Like Archer, she has put aside pain medication, she said.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com

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