A Whole Person Approach to Physical Therapy: Maximizing Rehabilitation Potential

Many older adults feel motivated to take charge of their health, whether to enjoy more time with loved ones, manage chronic conditions, or prevent future health issues. However, making lasting changes isn’t always easy. 

While medical care is crucial in managing chronic conditions, factors such as sleep, nutrition, and exercise play a key role in influencing how we feel. Even a few small lifestyle changes can go a long way toward supporting overall well-being. 

Understanding the bigger picture of your health  

As an outpatient physical therapist at Hebrew SeniorLife, I see many patients for acute and chronic conditions like post-joint replacements, balance difficulties, and orthopedic and neurological conditions. Over time, I’ve realized that lifestyle choices can significantly affect how people feel and heal.

That’s a research-backed fact. For example, one study found that loneliness can increase the risk of chronic pain by 24%. Findings like this remind us that health isn’t just about the injury or condition we aim to treat — it’s about the whole person. Many other studies examining lifestyle factors have similar findings. 

A wellness program grounded in physical therapy principles

Physical therapists are in a unique position to work with individuals every week, helping to support patients in optimizing their health and wellness as an adjunct to their rehabilitation journey. As people age, it can become increasingly challenging to stay active and healthy.

Fortunately, there are basic principles that can have a significant impact. One of the strategies that I incorporate into all my rehabilitation plans is client education about recommended physical activity guidelines. Less than 15% of adults aged 65 and older meet the minimum amount of recommended physical activity. This is a genuine opportunity to engage in a conversation and help clients get started.

The Whole Picture Health Coaching program is a pilot service of the outpatient rehabilitation department at Hebrew SeniorLife. I designed the program to give current and former patients of Hebrew SeniorLife’s outpatient rehabilitation therapy, as well as clients of the Get Up & Go senior fitness program, access to additional resources that support healthy aging.

As both a doctor of physical therapy and a certified health coach, I combine clinical expertise with practical strategies to help individuals develop sustainable habits. This dual training enables me to break down complex health information into clear, actionable guidance, empowering clients to understand their bodies and take ownership of their well-being.  

How is the coaching program structured? 

The primary mission of the Whole Picture Health Coaching program is to empower clients to make lasting yet straightforward changes. We offer both one-on-one and group sessions, held remotely in 30-, 45-, and 60-minute sessions.

Together, we’ll explore the core aspects of well-being — movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connection — to identify meaningful areas of focus. When helpful, I can draw on my physical therapy background to help patients better understand their medical conditions and how they influence daily function. However, coaches do not provide medical treatment and should never be considered a replacement for traditional medical care.

Hebrew SeniorLife also offers other valuable coaching programs, including the PAVING the Path to Wellness program, which supports healthy habits in a structured group setting at Center of Communities in Brookline, and the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health’s Brain Health and Wellness Coaching, which emphasizes lifestyle strategies that maintain cognitive health.

What makes the Whole Picture Health Coaching program unique is that it is grounded in physical therapy expertise, offering a clinical understanding of recovery, health conditions, and physical function.

Most clients begin with a 30-minute consultation to see if the program is a good fit. For those who decide to participate, the first 60-minute session covers their health history and background. I partner with my coaching clients during sessions to set actionable goals that feel truly doable, helping them build steady progress toward health goals without feeling overwhelmed. 

In addition to individual coaching, we also offer in-person workshops that address common topics of interest and concern within the broader community. Two recent workshops, “Prime Your Posture” and a “Fitness Screening and Fall Prevention Day,” reached a total of 75 older adults in the community. Some people find that a topic covered in these workshops resonates with their lives and decide to explore it deeper through a coaching session.  

One client’s story of making nutrition work for real life

For many clients, nutrition is the pillar that stands out as a barrier to staying healthy. That was true for Inga Soeheide, who joined the coaching program after participating in Get Up & Go and outpatient physical therapy at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center.

“I need encouragement and reminders. I also needed some hard facts regarding what and how to eat,” shares Inga.

Together, we focused on creating awareness: What were her habits? Which ones were helpful? Which ones were less helpful? How ready was she to make changes?

We worked together to set manageable but meaningful goals. “Our goals included making better choices around my food purchases and snacking. While my diet isn’t unhealthy, I did need some help with portion control and snack time. I read food labels more and pay attention to sodium, fat, and sugar in foods when I’m shopping now,” explains Inga.

Inga appreciated that the changes she made throughout her coaching journey are sustainable and realistic. “Coaching was a motivational, encouraging experience. It was nonjudgmental,” she says. Inga recognizes she can enjoy dessert at a holiday party or with her grandson and get back on track the next day. 

Build a healthier foundation today 

Think of caring for yourself like tending to a plant. You can give a plant water and sunlight, but if the soil isn’t healthy, the plant won’t thrive. The same goes for your body: well-being becomes much harder without a solid foundation of healthy habits. That’s where Whole Picture Health Coaching comes in. It’s not just about knowing what you should do! It’s about having the support, strategies, and encouragement to put those habits into practice.

“Catherine understands how the body can compensate due to aging or injury. She also understands how things like nutrition, sleep, emotions, or even trauma — all the things that make us who we are as individuals — can affect our health. It’s an important part of aging well,” says Inga.

Are you interested in learning more? Call our outpatient rehabilitative therapy team at 617-363-8539 or contact us online for more information.