Functional manual therapy

[Diane]

I found this place in Colorado:
www.ipaconed.com

There are required readings, in pdf format, downloadable. Looks like a blend of osteopathic and PT stuff, sort of a hybrid, similar to manipulation these days being a blend of PT/chiro. I haven't yet read the stuff closely to see how many myths are being perpetuated, but at first glance I didn't see anything about 20,000 times the speed of light etc. :thumbs_up

[christophb]

I've done 3 courses with these guys, I believe it's a blend of rolfing, Paris, and a strong emphasis of PNF. From my experience it seems to be a lot of neuromodulation. Greg did much of his initial training in PNF at Kaiser Vallejo with Maggie Knott. There is an emphasis on movement awareness ex and that's where I had my first exposure to the work of Feldenkrais. The "superficial fascial" mobs they do are very similar to your skin mobs. It's good stuff but needs a little bit of a trim by Occam. I still use some of the PNF patterns and try to imagine how Moshe would instruct them.

Chris

[christophb]

Forgot to mention that there is a strong osteopathic component as well, I believe from Michigan State's program... don't quote me on that though

Chris

[nari]

Interesting, and certainly a bit of this and that - always very suspicious of an organisation which includes personal (made up or genuine) testimonials on their site. It would be enough to put me right off, I'm afraid.

Nari

[Synergy]

One of my professors in PT school was a CFMT (certified functional manual therapist), a credential you obtain by taking all of the IPA's courses and sitting for a week-long exam. This particular professor taught most of my 'hands on' classes. Chris is correct...we were taught an amalgam of manual techniques, including lots of PNF, soft/deep tissue mobs, a HEAVY osteopathic approach (mainly ala Greenman), manipulation, etc.

I remember wanting to take every course they offered so that I could get my certification, but after several threads (on Rehab Edge) pertaining to the inefficacy of motion palpation and some of the literature I've come across, I thought why waste my time. We were taught very heavily that FRS/ERS dysfunctions were the usual culprits of back pain. Now, I'm not sure what I believe to be the truth. LOL! Still being pretty 'green', I still have a ways to go. Then again...don't we all? :)

[Diane]

Thanks for the feedback on this place.
Even if lots of Occam's is needed it's nice to see there's some competition to you know who if you know what I mean.. Unfortunately, it's usually necessary to go somewhere to learn to use your paws properly. It's a bit of a trick, but it's possible to learn the paw placements and techniques kinesthetically without taking on all the conceptual crapolito and perceptual fantasy. If you know what's under your hands (i.e. do lots of gazing at anatomy books) it's easier to visualize it. Doesn't mean you have to think you're actually treating the anatomical bits, just that it's good to know they exist and that they have relationships in there to one another.