Linda Hanson, PT

I am a registered physical therapist in Maine and New York, a CranialSacral therapist, a teacher-practitioner of the Child'Space Chava Shelav Method for developmental monitoring and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner^CM with clinical practice experience in Maine, New York, Virginia and California since 1980.

I've studied CranioSacral Therapy (CST) since 1993 and utilized it successfully in a head trauma rehabilitation setting and with individual orthopedic, pediatric and chronic pain clients. I have attended 24 multi-day classes in the Upledger institute’s CranioSacral Therapy, Healing From the Core and Lymph Drainage Therapy modalities. In 2009, I completed the four-year Feldenkrais Method® Professional Training Program, allowing me to present Awareness Through Movement® lessons and Functional Integration® sessions. In 2012, I completed the two and one-half year Child'Space teacher-practitioner training, presented by its founder, Dr Chava Shelhav. I am a graduate of the six-month Propreceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) course at the Kaiser Permanente Rehabilitation Center in Vallejo, California.

I'm continuing my advanced training in CST with programs at the Upledger Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and participating as a Teaching Assistant for CST and Child'Space classes throughout the country. I'm active in continuing education in both Feldenkrais and Child'Space practices. I owned and operated a private practice for twenty-two years in Somers, New York, and was a contract therapist for early intervention and preschool special education services in Westchester County, New York. I relocated to Berwick, Maine, in 2022.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences (Option: Physical Therapy) from the California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and a Certificate in Physical Therapy from CSUN and UCLA.

    I specialize in pediatrics, adults with various pain syndromes, orthopedic issues, post concussion and mild head injury using:

CranioSacral Therapy (CST): CST is a gentle, hands-on approach of evaluating and encouraging the body's self healing mechanisms and enhancing the function of the body’s craniosacral system. The craniosacral system is composed of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and the fascial system – connective tissue surrounding and supporting internal organs and the muscular-skeletal system. In essence, the craniosacral system is the house for the central nervous system. Dr John Upledger developed this therapeutic approach to help decrease pain, improve function and enhance well being. For more information, download my CST brochure.

Functional Integration® Sessions: The Feldenkrais Method® is expressed in two parallel forms: Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) and Functional Integration® (FI). Both forms are based on principles of physics, biomechanics and an empirical understanding of learning and human development developed by Dr Moshe Feldenkrais.  Functional Integration® is one form of expressing the Feldenkrais Method®. Just as Feldenkrais® practitioners can guide people through movement sequences verbally in Awareness Through Movement®, they also guide people through movement with gentle, non-invasive touching in Functional Integration®. For more information, download my FI brochure.

Awareness Through Movement® Lessons: An Awareness Through Movement® lesson consists of verbally directed movement sequences presented primarily to groups. There are several hundred hours of Awareness Through Movement® lessons. A lesson generally lasts from thirty to sixty minutes. Each lesson is organized around a particular function. For more information, download my ATM brochure. 

Child'Space – The Chava Shelhav Method for Developmental Monitoring: The Child’Space Method seeks to ensure that all of a baby’s developing systems receive the stimulation they need during the critical period from birth until independent walking.  Dr Chava Shelhav, a student of Dr Feldenkrais, developed this approach based on his principles. Practitioners model how to engage a baby’s primary developmental pathways, empowering parents with new ways to observe and interact with their children. For more information, download my Child'Space brochure.

Please note: Under the Maine Physical Therapist Practice Act, if I am treating a patient without referral from a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, dentistry or chiropractic, I am subject to the following:

    • I may not make a medical diagnosis.

    • I must refer you to a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, dentistry or chiropractic if, either at the initial evaluation or during subsequent treatment, I determine your physical condition to be beyond the scope of my practice.

    • If I document no improvement in your condition within 30 days of initiation of treatment, I must refer you to a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, dentistry or chiropractic.

    • If your require treatment beyond 120 days, I must consult with, or refer you to, a licensed doctor of medicine, surgery, osteopathy, podiatry, dentistry or chiropractic.

There are some exceptions to the third and fourth items above:

• Services I provide for purposes of health promotion, injury prevention, wellness, fitness, athletic performance or maintenance therapy;

• If you are diagnosed within the previous 9 months with a chronic neuromuscular or developmental condition when my services are being provided for problems or symptoms associated with that previously diagnosed condition; or

• Services I provide pursuant to an individualized education plan or individual family service plan under federal law.