While pursuing her academic education she worked in both Israel and the US. Her extensive work background included acute care, rehabilitation and outpatient department in hospital settings. She treated people who suffered from various orthopedic and neurological conditions (e.g., low back pain, neck pain, scoliosis, and frozen shoulder), repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, poor posture) and various chronic orthopedic conditions.
Throughout her career she enhanced her knowledge of pain in all its manifestations by studying psychology and dance/movement therapy, and by exposing herself to various integrated forms of chronic pain treatment. She then came to understand that health caregivers need to be able to relate a patient’s symptoms to what is happening simultaneously in their body and mind. This realisation led her to develop the RiVision® method.
Dr. Rivi held a position of a Clinical Assistant Professor at The State University of New York (2009-2018) where she taught body-mind awareness and the RiVision method to future therapists. She currently continues to lecture regularly at various professional venues to therapists, students, and teachers.
Dr. Rivi has authored a book entitled Moving Pain Away - RiVision: An Innovative Physical Therapy Method. She is the founder of RiVision Healing Center in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York.
- Philosophy -
Patients may develop body misalignment, pain and discomfort for various reasons. When they seek help from a physical therapist they expect to receive traditional therapy involving physical modalities such as massage and therapeutic exercises to treat the injured area. However, when Dr. Rivi observed her patients’ movement patterns and postures it became obvious to her that she should consider their movement behavior and general well-being as part of their treatment as well as their physical complain. She realized, based on her patients’ personal verbal and nonverbal communication with her, that the patients’ movement patterns/movement characteristics may reveal further information leading to the source of the pain. Therefore, she developed an innovative physical therapy method that integrates physical therapy, dance/movement therapy and guided imagery tailored to a patient’s specific complaints.
The ability to change a pattern and find a new form of moving and feeling comes once you have developed enough awareness of where you are “stuck,” or what your particular patterns are. The attachments you develop toward your movement patterns have a significant meaning: they serve to protect you. Your movement patterns can be present for many years without being changed. Many people may live well using the same, idiosyncratic patterns without being motivated to change it. Several reasons can explain why we do not have the motivation to change. People may have lived in peace with their movement patterns and themselves or may not have been aware of their specific movement style. Others may not be conscious of the fact that the body and mind can strongly impact each other and that change in one aspect can affect the other in a positive manner.
Our style of movement can serve us well, as long as we do not suffer physically and/or emotionally from our body. However, once our body is compromised we start considering treatment and modifications of our old negative habits.
The process of going through these renovations requires a state of readiness and openness. It requires a clear intention regarding what needs to be altered in order to function better in everyday life. It goes hand-in-hand with feeling and negotiating life better.
- Workshops -
RIVISION WORKSHOPS FOR CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS
Enjoy moving to the sound of music, in a small group setting, and experiencing changes in the way you feel and move. Relaxation exercises and guided imagery will enhance the experience.
THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
We practice gentle therapeutic exercises done to music in a small group setting. In this workshop we educate and train participants in gentle and safe exercises done in prone, supine, sitting and standing positions.
BODY AWARENESS, SELF-IMAGE AND SELF-PERCEPTION WORKSHOP
In the RiVision method, we address stress conditions such as Repetitive Stress Injury (cumulative trauma syndrome that can affect tendons, nerves and soft tissues), and Repetitive Stress Pattern (prolonged, repetitive and negative event/interaction that affects you emotionally and physically).
POSTURE AND BODY ALIGNMENT WORKSHOP
Posture plays a significant role in the way we feel and move our body. Posture imbalance can cause improper joint alignment, soft tissue imbalance or even noticeable deformity.
MOVEMENT AND MINDFULNESS THERAPEUTIC DANCE AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION FOR BODY MIND AND SPIRIT
Posture plays a significant role in the way we feel and move our body. When we reflect about things we want in our lives, our first thoughts revolve around good health.
PAST LECTURES
The use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Physical Therapy
2008-2018- Clinical Assistant Professor- State University of New York.
Integrating Dance/ Movement Therapy (DMT), Guided Imagery (GI) and Mindfulness into Physical Therapy treatment of pain- a workshop
Jan 31, 2018-NYPTA-Greater NY district, LaGuardia College.
Integrating Dance/ Movement Therapy (DMT), Guided Imagery (GI) and Mindfulness into Physical Therapy treatment of pain - a workshop
December, 5, 2017-NYPTA- Hudson Valley district, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, NY.
Integrating Therapeutic Exercises via Dance/ Movement Therapy, Mindfulness and Guided Imagery when Treating Pain-A lecture
October, 28, 2017-American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM). Atlanta, GA.
Integrating Dance/ Movement Therapy (DMT), Guided Imagery (GI) and Mindfulness into Physical Therapy treatment of pain- a workshop
February, 28, 2017-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.
Movement Therapy workshop for Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders- a lecture
May, 18, 2015- OIOC, Hospital for Joint Diseases
Movement Therapy for Chronic Pain- a workshop
March, 25, 2008-The Psychology Club at Yeshiva University, New York
Using Movement Therapy Techniques to Treat Chronic Pain- a course
June 5, 2005- Care Resource- Continuing Education Center, Baltimore, MD
Using Movement Therapy Techniques to Treat Pain in Fibromyalgia and Musculoskeletal Disorders- a course
October, 15, 2004- Care Resource- Continuing Education Center, Baltimore, MD
Dance/ Movement Therapy in Body Tuning Physical Therapy Clinic- workshops
1992-2000- Carnegie Hall, NYC