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
Dialoguing in the Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminar Approach
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
New Video: MFR for the Anterior Shoulder and Intercostal Regions
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
The Simplicity of Myofascial Release/Manual Care
“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
Is It Safe to Treat a Torn Rotator Cuff?
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
The Power of an Elastic Wrap
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
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
Stories: Let Your Stories Mature and Grow
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
MFR Treatment Tips: Intra-Oral
Next in the series of MFR Treatment Tips is this close-up video on my preferred finger placement when treating the inner aspect of the mandible. While at times referred to as a pterygoid treatment, I find this label limiting. For one, it is a perceptual fantasy to believe we can isolate and target an individual… Continue Reading
MFR Treatment Tips: The Anterior Cervical Region
I’ve posted a new video onto YouTube that covers treatment to the anterior cervical/throat region. I’ve treated this area for over twenty years with very nice results in the treatment of neck region pain as well as issues relating to radiculopathy-like symptoms into the arm and chest/shoulder regions. More recently Ive learned the value of… Continue Reading
Myofascial release and the evidence for speech, voice, and swallowing disorders.
Since this blog was originally published the Reference Page used for my Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminar for Neck, Voice, and Swallowing Disorders has been updated. Additionally, the relevant evidence has been inserted throughout the new Course Syllabus that is distributed in the seminar. Science is dynamic and so will this seminar and the evidence… Continue Reading
Rethinking your professional identity
What mental image might a person receive when you introduce yourself to them by saying “I am a physical therapist” (or massage therapist, or speech and language pathologist, or occupational therapist, or etc.)? This short statement of identity may create a cascade of mental images to your audience (the potential client) which may influence your… Continue Reading
Mechanosensitivity: “The doctor poked, and prodded, and scratched his chin. He could find nothing wrong”
“The doctor poked, and prodded, and scratched his chin. He could find nothing wrong.” from Imogene’s Antlers, by David Small. Imogene’s Antlers was one of my favorite books to read to my daughters when they were young. In it, the doctor was called in to examine Imogene, as she had spontaneously sprouted antlers. However, no… Continue Reading
Self Treatment/Indirect Effects: Striving for Simplicity.
A few Sunday afternoon thoughts on how we may be treating ourselves each time we treat another…nothing too strenuous, it’s Sunday. How many times have your patients/clients commented on the warmth of your hands? If you are like me, it happens daily. I’ve not spent time searching for clues as to why, and I am… Continue Reading
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There is always a yearning to achieve more. I’ll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is. from Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Last evening, my wife and I sat down for a rather rare evening… Continue Reading
How can you change client expectations in order to be most effective?
As a physical therapist, I face certain expectations when a client first comes to see me for treatment. When they walk in my treatment room, a few may look around, wondering where the exercise equipment is hidden, as my room is a 9’ X 13” room with a massage table and little else. But most… Continue Reading
