Pathologizing: Our Words Matter As a physical therapist trained in the early 1980’s, biomechanical explanations for pain and movement disorders were the norm. As I drifted into a myofascial release manual therapy in the early 1990’s, the biomechanical model was reinforced and made more narrow through the beliefs that pain and movement dysfunction stem from… Continue Reading
Moving a profession’s knowledge-base forward is not an easy task. As a species I believe we hold fast to what is familiar and to resist change. My colleague, Whitney Lowe, has written an excellent article that addresses these issues and it may not be an easy read. Not that the technical jargon loses you, but… Continue Reading
I met Nick Ng face-to-face two years ago, though he and I had co-existed on some Facebook groups long before that time. He took my Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminar for Neck, Voice, and Swallowing Disorders class in San Diego and, as I viewed him as decidedly science-literate, I was curious how he would interpret… Continue Reading
“Myofascial release” and “evidence-based” are phrases that are seldom spoken together. Papers exist telling us how and why myofascial release (MFR) is not an evidence-based treatment model/modality. In today’s therapeutic culture, one that demands that we work from evidence-based perspectives, it is at time difficult to find much in manual therapy that appears to meet… Continue Reading
I think our patients deserve more. We are the experts. Be it myofascial release, manual therapy, massage, or any of the countless other terms used to describe what we do, we are trained to call ourselves the soft tissue experts. Patients seek us out due to our experience and expertise with pain and movement dysfunction.… Continue Reading
In April of 2016, I had the pleasure to meet Brian Fulton, RMT, who was a co-presenter at the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of British Columbia’s Biennial Conference, “Manual Therapy: an Interdisciplinary Approach to the Science and Practice”. His talk involved the understanding of the placebo effect in manual therapy and since that time I have been… Continue Reading
Say Nothing Here is a link to an article I wrote for Nik Ng’s Massage & Fitness e-magazine (subscribe here) titled, “Say Nothing”. Regular readers will recognize by biases in this article, biases I think we all might be well-served if we adopt. Give it a read and let me know your thoughts. Walt Say… Continue Reading
What we do, ultimately, is help people feel more comfortable in their bodies so that they can move more easily and, in effect, heal themselves. The past ten years of my professional career has been devoted to working toward a more accurate narrative to explain the work I do. The story of how this came… Continue Reading
With a broad-based education, credible continuing education, and critical thinking, I do think we can be less wrong about the work we do. I do not mean to criticize those who believe differently and certainly not those who taught me these concepts. Science moves forward and I thank those in my past. What if I asked… Continue Reading
Every form of manual therapy has its unique way of engaging a patient/client, both physically and verbally. Talking is often frowned upon in massage/manual therapy, as it is believed to interfere with the relaxation response or allowing the patient to go deep. Those things are important aspects of some work, but not mine. My Foundations… Continue Reading
I’ve posted another free Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars MFR Treatment Tip to my YouTube channel. This one highlights some unique and simple ways to engage familiar aspects of upper thoracic/intercostal/shoulder region pain and dysfunction. What is different about my Foundations Approach? Small group trainings with a high level of one-on-one hands-on instruction directly from… Continue Reading
“We can only touch in so many ways. But it’s the choices we make with the findings of our touch that makes the difference.” A while back I wrote a blog titled “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” (The original article can be viewed here). The blog references the movie by the same title, which follows a 85… Continue Reading
I have a new post over at the Medbridge massage website talking about myofascial release and frozen shoulder. If you are interested in the great deal they are offing, with an entire 12 month subscription for $49, use the discount code FRITZmassage at checkout. Is It Safe to Treat a Torn Rotator Cuff? Enjoy, Walt… Continue Reading
What are your thoughts? Why do such seemingly innocuous interventions sooth our patients so? What can an Ace Wrap really do? As a physical therapist, I see many patients with joint-related complaints, usually pain or feelings of instability Some have seen their PCP or specialist, others came to me first. Most have gotten advice from… Continue Reading
The power of touch and presence vs. modality specific beliefs Disclaimer: I teach continuing education seminars for a living. When we touch patients in a therapeutic intervention, how many different “things” or actions can we really be accomplishing? How many different structures can we really make contact with or elicit change? With higher levels of… Continue Reading
The topic of stories is one that has intrigued me for quite a long time and I’ve begun to talk a lot about stories during my seminars. I will have more to say in future blog posts, but for now I want to share an article I wrote that is published in the newest edition… Continue Reading
