ANNOUNCING A NEW SOFT TISSUE COURSE

 

FascialManipulationWorkshops.com

 

Interview with Dr. Hammer on soft tissue


Dear fellow practitioner,

           After studying and teaching many soft tissue techniques I began to realize the importance of the most ubiquitous soft tissue in the body, the fascial system.  During the last few years I have been fortunate in finding a manual technique developed by Luigi Stecco, PT.  He has developed a method of evaluation and treatment that has evolved over thirty years that has proven to be extremely successful in the treatment of a wide spectrum  of musculoskeletal problems.  His two children Carla and Antonio Stecco, both MDs, have carried out extensive research into the anatomy and histology of the fascia via dissection of unembalmed cadavers.  These dissections have enhanced the pre-existing biomechanical model already elaborated by Luigi Stecco by providing new histological and anatomical data.

          I enjoy a relationship with Luigi and recently attended the first two-week course in Fascial Manipulation© (FM) given in English.  I was also fortunate to be a guest at Luigi’s clinic in Italy and observed him treating patients.  To say the least, I was overwhelmed by the clinical outcomes.  FM has been taught in Europe for at least 10 years and recently in Brazil.  Luigi Stecco has written 7 textbooks (2 in English) and numerous papers.   

     For as long as I can remember, therapists have been searching for tender areas, trigger points and restrictions etc. to treat.  For the first time, based on functional tests (resistive, active and passive) that reveal specific areas of limited motion and pain you learn exactly where to treat the fascia to restore function. 

     You will learn current information about fascia with particular emphasis on myofascial units (MFU) and myofascial sequences based on the anatomy of the fascial system.  Stecco found points called Centers of Coordination (Cc) that are responsible for the normal function of related monoarticular and biarticular muscles.  Treatment of the Cc in the MFU will allow normal movement of the related joint and eliminate the pain.  Densified CCs alter muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs and other mechanoreceptors resulting in incoordination of the muscles and pain.  The area of treatment is often not at the pain location.

     Knowledge of these areas will be valuable for the practitioners thinking of adding soft tissue treatment to their practice and of particular value to those using Graston Technique®, Active Release Technique®, FAKTR-PM, Structural Integrationists and anyone using their hands or instruments to heal.  

      In early 2011 (Feb/March) Antonio Stecco and I will be offering a 4 day workshop on Part I of FM.  I sincerely urge all of you who are interested in improving your results to attend this workshop.  If you are interested in taking this course, please go to web site above. Below are some reasons that I hope will convince you to attend:

  • For years, therapists have been searching for tender areas, trigger points and restrictions etc. to treat.  For the first time, based on functional tests (resistive, active and passive) that reveal specific areas of limited motion and pain you will know exactly where to treat the fascia to restore function. The area of treatment is often not at the pain location. 
  • You will learn current information about fascia with particular emphasis on myofascial units and myofascial sequences based on the anatomy of the fascial system.
  • Knowledge of these areas will be valuable for the practitioners thinking of adding soft tissue treatment to their practice and of particular value to those using Graston Technique®, Active Release Technique®, FAKTR-PM, Structural Integrationists, massage therapists and anyone using their hands or instruments to heal. 

          It is recommended that the texts written by Luigi Stecco be read before taking the course, especially the text entitled Fascial Manipulation-Practical Part.  Rather than go to Amazon, the best price will be found here.  Go to the English flag on the top right and select the subject Rehabilitation.

Warren I. Hammer DC, MS, DABCO