Pentagon of Wellness

Earlier this month I mentioned the Pentagon of Wellness. Today I would like to take a bit more time to elaborate on this concept and how we use it here at Cairn Physical Therapy & Wellness. 

Remember that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellness as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (illness), the optimal state of health of individuals and groups, a positive approach to living.

Physical Therapists are trained in the biopsychosocial model of care ~ we look at not just the body but how it interacts with its environment, the community and support system around it, etc But based on the definition of wellness this may not be enough.

Enter the Pentagon of Wellness ~ here are the 5 sides to the pentagon:

  1. The Physical Body which comprises
    1. Our anatomy/physiology, 
    2. How we move, 
    3. The cellular processes, 
    4. Our stability and mobility,
    5. Our physical functioning
  2. The Intellectual Body such as
    1. Our Central Nervous System, 
    2. Our thoughts and knowledge base, 
    3. The way we process information 
    4. How we make decision
  3. The Psycho/Emotional/Social Body including: 
    1. Our emotions and feelings, 
    2. Our relationships and how we relate to people and places around us, 
    3. Our identity ~ the who, what, where, when and why of us, 
    4. Our awareness and understanding of the world and people around us, 
  4. The Spiritual Body which is know by different names:
    1. Our soul, 
    2. Our inner light, 
    3. God, Allah, Spirit
    4. Universe
    5. Divine love
    6. Higher self
    7. Who we truly are, 
    8. The Watcher/Knower
    9. And the list goes on
  5. The Energetic Body which is also referred to as the etheric body. It is essentially the connection between the other 4 bodies. Along this pathway flows  
    1. Body fluid ~ blood, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, 
    2. Breath, 
    3. Information, 
    4. Understanding.

We address all of these bodies in our sessions because we want to ensure that your pain or problem doesn’t return and that you're not only healthy but well. 


Let me give you an example . . . 

You might know that I injured my ankle and foot a while back. As I was embarking on the healing process I addressed and continue to address the 5 bodies in the following ways:

The Physical Body

  • I had pain and swelling which I addressed with ice and elevation
  • I used self massage techniques to address tissue stiffness and strengthening exercises for muscle weakness

The Intellectual Body

I luckily have the knowledge to know how to treat a musculoskeletal injury but like in most professions PT’s don't always make the best patients so I sought help from a physician during the initial phases of my healing.

The Psycho/Emotional/Social Body

It was really tough to actually give up my hiking for a while ~ it’s how I spend time with friends and family and being in nature is very healing for me. I struggled with this one a lot but am finding ways to enjoy being with friends and family while not hiking (it involves more food and wine than fun and work!). I am also doing some uplifting self talk “ this is only temporary . . . I am getting better . . . I will be back hiking soon.” 

The Spiritual Body

As I mentioned, being out in nature heals my soul! Since I cannot hike I take small walks and sit outside every chance I get. I bring my computer out there to work, sit outside with friends for dinner and wine, skim the pool more (my husband is appreciative!) and more. I also try to meditate when I have time (read I need to make time!) and focus on self compassion during this time. 

The Energetic Body

On a physical level I spend time exercising and icing for my ankle/foot so that I create blood and lymph flow in that area to keep the tissues healthy. Like with meditation I try to make time to practice my breathing for calming my energy and sympathetic nervous system. 

All of these practices, exercises and techniques have helped keep me moving forward on my journey to getting back on the hiking trails. 

I hope this helps clarify the pentagon of wellness for you ~ as always if you have any questions, just ask! And if you would like to learn more about how I am dealing with my ankle/foot physical body, check out the playlist on youtube. 


Wishing you wellness, 

Dr. Roxi

Visit us on the web at www.cairnptwellness.com
On Instagram @drroxiz
And on YouTube 

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