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Foundations in Manual Therapy: Voice and Swallowing Disorders

-Listening With Your Hands-

With recent modifications and expansion in course content, class hours will change as of Sept. 1, 2024. The new hours will be 9:00 a.m.—5:30 p.m. on both class days. The ASHA CEUs will rise to 1.60.

  • LOOKING FOR CLASS LOCATIONS? Individual class locations and links for registration will be found at the bottom of this page. Please read this page to ensure the class meets your expectations before registering.

  • Foundations in Manual Therapy: ADVANCED Voice and Swallowing Disorders Seminar information may be found here.

  • Private, one-on-one seminar and mentoring details are available here. 

  • Online class information is available here.

    Course Description

    The clinician learned to understand and apply manual therapy (MT) as a multifactorial method of impacting voice and swallowing issues. Using a biopsychosocial approach to evaluation and intervention, the clinician utilized the evidence to support this MT model and, through hands-on experiences, learned immediately applicable clinical skills in the context of the diagnoses facing the SLP. This course content also fits within the framework of massage, as well as occupational and physical therapists interested in this region. Areas of interest include voice, swallowing, oral-motor disorders, tongue dysfunction, jaw opening and function, breathing, pain, and performance limitations.

    Manual therapy, myofascial release, vocal massage, laryngeal manipulation, and other forms of manual care are often stated to eliminate or improve a tissue, postural, or biomechanically-based problem. Patients and clinicians frequently share these perspectives, reinforced by education models and social media 30-second sound bites. However, every person’s case is complex. When high muscle tension is used to explain laryngeal problems, what drives that tension? A nearly unlimited number of contributing factors set the issue in place, and an equally complex tapestry of elements contributes to successfully remedying the problem. These courses take you down this rabbit hole of complexity, allowing you to see the myriad possibilities for impact and creating comfort in not knowing. Though this last statement may seem contradictory, knowing more often means admitting uncertainty. Filling the void left by not knowing is the therapeutic alliance and understanding how successfully applying its principles can drive intervention success. From this perspective, you have a baseline understanding of how I present this work.

    This class centers around two central themes. The first is obvious: teaching the SLP and others the use of manual, touch-based therapy to remediate voice, swallowing, oral motor, tongue-related, breathing, and similar problems. Second, a concept of equal importance is introducing a patient-centered model of care, one solidly grounded in shared decision-making (SDM). The core concepts of SDM, now common in our shared literature, can be inserted into any intervention, not just manual therapy.

    This course is not jam-packed with techniques. Instead, we move through multiple lab engagements framed from the SDM perspective. Adequate time is spent in all covered areas to ensure each clinician feels comfortable applying the intervention. 

    For a deeper look at the perspectives taught in this class, please refer to the following article:

    Fritz W. (2024). The mechanism of action for laryngeal manual therapies: the need for an update. Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery, 32(3), 151–155. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000966

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    Learning Objectives for the 2-hour Pre-Seminar Online Module

    After successful completion of this online module, the therapist will:

    1. Compare and contrast the traditional “tissue-based” explanatory model of change with neurologically based models for manual therapy.
    2. Describe the strengths and limitations of a postural/biomechanical evaluation and treatment-based approach.
    3. Be able to describe the variations in explanations for manual therapy effects.

    Learning Objectives for the 14-hour In-Person Workshop:

    After successful completion of this online module, the therapist will:

    1. Demonstrate the ability to apply an effective patient-directed method of manual therapy evaluation.
    2. Describe and demonstrate the various treatment options in a manual therapy session, including cross-handed, single-handed, compression, gathering/lifting, and traction.
    3. Describe options and apply effective treatment for the remediation of various voice/swallowing and related disorders.

    Successful completion of the course and associated award of ASHA CEUs are contingent upon:

    1. Completion of the 2.0-hour online pre-seminar module.
    2. A passing score on the written, multiple-choice examination, given at the end of the online, pre-seminar module and the live, in-person seminar. A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass.
    3. Accurate demonstration of the treatment techniques as observed by the course instructor during the hands-on portions of the live class.
    4. Completion and submission of all post-seminar required forms.
    5. As all aspects of this course’s introductory material and hands-on components form the foundations of the approach, no partial ASHA CEUs will be awarded. Full participation in the entire 14.5 contact hours will be required. If you need to leave the seminar early, fail to meet the 80% grade on either quiz or fail to meet the expectations in the hands-on performance aspects, you agree to forfeit the ASHA CEUs and not receive a certificate of completion.
    6. An online module containing the background information to support this work must be completed before the live seminar. The module will take approx. 2.0 hours to complete. Should the module not be completed, you will not be permitted to participate in the live portion of the seminar. The link to this online module will be emailed to you before the live event. This online module aims to allow the hands-on training in the live event to begin as soon as possible.
    7. Three weeks before the class, you will receive an email with the link to the online course, syllabus download instructions, directions, and other details. If you do not receive the email, please get in touch with us.

     

    Timed Agendas

    Required, pre-seminar online module

    1:00 hours: Introduction to the science and evidence to support this approach
    1:00 hours: Interviewing and evaluation methods/quiz

    2.0 instructional hours

    In-person seminar

    Day 1

    8:30 – 9:00 Registration
    9:00 – 10:00 (1.00) Introduction and review of live online content
    10:00 – 11:15 (1.25)

    Hands-on introduction and oral region lab
    11:15 – 11:30 Break
    11:30 – 12:45 (1.25) Internal jaw region lab
    12:45 – 1:45 Lunch
    1:45 – 3:15 (1.50) Tongue and submental region lab (1)
    3:15 – 3:30 Break
    3:30 – 5:30 (2.0) Tongue and submental region lab (2)
       

    Day 2

    9:00 – 10:45 (1.75) Laryngeal region lab
    10:45 – 11:00 Break
    11:00 – 12:30 (1.50) Retrolaryngeal region lab
    12:30 – 1:30 Lunch
    1:30 – 3:30 (2.00) Lower laryngeal and upper sternal region labs

    3:30-3:45

    3:45-5:30 (1.75)

    Break

    Diaphragm region lab

    14.0 In-Person Instructional hours
    Total 16.0 Instructional hours

    This course is offered for 1.60 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level; Professional Area)

    This course is also approved for 15.0 total CE Hours by NCBTMB/NYS Massage Therapists (2.0 CEUs for the Online Module and 13.0 CEUs for the live seminar) and by many state PT and OT Boards, with the full list available here. NOTE: If you request PT or OT CEUs, you must do so early or risk the CEUs not being approved. 

    Walt Fritz and teaching assistants provide instruction and supervision throughout this course. The ratio of learners to instructors is held to a maximum of 14:1. 

    Disclosures

    Walt Fritz has the following relevant financial relationship to disclose: he receives royalties from similar course content delivered through Medbridge Massage and TalkTools. He has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose. There are no content disclosures; financial/in-kind disclosures may exist and will be stated for each live seminar.

    Please refer to the list for complete disclosure of information on teaching assistants who may be involved with individual seminars.

    Registration Details and Cancellation Policy

    Enrollment at all seminars is limited. The registration fee includes the mandatory 2-hour pre-seminar online module, the in-person, live, hands-on seminar, and the PDF of the course syllabus (distributed by email approximately 2-3 weeks before the class date). No meals, lodging, transportation, or parking are included in the registration fee. For syllabus usage at the live, in-person seminar, you can download the syllabus to an electronic reader, laptop, iPad, etc., or print it out for use in the workshop. You will not be provided a hard copy during class unless you notify us beforehand.

    Registration payment may be made using the payment link from the individual class location page listed below, by using a check or credit card payment from the registration form available here, or by phone using a credit card (585-244-6180). An email confirmation will be sent to you after payment is received at our office. The attached registration form must be completed, or you will forfeit your seat in the class.

    You may cancel your registration up to 14 days before the seminar with a $50 processing fee. If you need to cancel less than 14 days before the workshop, you may transfer your registration to another seminar of your choice. Otherwise, you will forfeit the full registration fee. Refunds will be processed within 30 days of the refund request and will be made through the payment source from which your payment was made initially. No matter the timing, all refunds for payments made by credit cards will also be reduced by the actual Merchant Fees charged to merchants. The credit card processing company does not refund this fee to the merchant, and it is typically 3% of the purchase price. The actual transaction form, which shows your purchase and the fees paid by the merchant, will be sent to you before processing the refund to allow you to view the fee above.

    We reserve the right to cancel any seminar based on minimum class enrollment requirements or other emergencies, in which case the tuition fee will be fully returned within 30 days of the canceled event. Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars is not responsible for any guaranteed/prepaid airline/hotel reservation. Before booking your travel, you are advised to email or call to ensure the class is confirmed.

    Any grievances or concerns regarding Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars should be made to: 

    Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars
    PO Box 548
    Lima, NY  14485
    585-244-6180
    (fax: 1-866-413-9019)

  • Privacy and Security Policy (click here)

    Discounts

    Only ONE discount (Retake/group/student discounts) may be applied. Discounts apply only to most USA-based classes. For workshops outside the USA, discounts and pricing are left to the discretion of the organization sponsoring the class.

    To receive the discount, please send us an email requesting the discount or use the codes listed below. If applying for a group discount, you must email each person’s name and email address. Non-work email addresses are preferred due to the security firewalls of most institutional emails.

    Group and Student Discounts: Contact us to access the group discounts

    Group Discount: 2-3 therapists registering together will receive 10% off the prevailing rate per therapist. Use the discount code 10group at checkout.

    Four or more therapists registering together will receive 15% off the prevailing rate per therapist. Use the discount code 15group at checkout.

    Student Discount: $75 off of the prevailing rate per therapist. This applies to student SLPs, PTs, OTs, and MTs. You MUST provide the school and degree program when requesting this discount.

    Registration may be made using the payment link from this page, using a check or credit card from the registration form available here, or by phone using a credit card (585-244-6180). After payment is received at our office, an email confirmation will be sent to you. The registration form must be completed entirely, or you will forfeit your seat in the class.

    Additional Information

    After payment, please email us your name, cell number, and class location/dates you are attending. No massage lotions/oils are needed. We ask that you do not apply any lotions or oils to your face during any day of the class, as this work is performed dry. Please bring or wear appropriate lab clothing daily: a tank top or a loose-fitting T-shirt. Please bring a yoga mat/camping pad/blanket, and pillow if you can access one.

    Registration Fee

    $500 up to three weeks before the class. ($550 in 2025)

    $600 during the final three weeks before each class ($650 in 2025)

    $275 for retakes of this class ($300 in 2025): Email for retake rate.


    Complaints

    If you have concerns or complaints, please email us using the “Contact” link in the top menu bar. Please provide the best way to contact you, and we will reply within one week. Our goal is to provide quality continuing education to all, and your concerns will be addressed, and a solution will be made towards that end. Once a complaint is received and rectified to your satisfaction, we will ensure that gaps noted in our programs are addressed, with modifications made to ensure the issue does not reoccur. 

    Target Audience

    • Intended for SLPs/Voice Professionals, Registered Dental Hygienists, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapists, Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and other appropriately licensed health professionals.
    • This course is offered for 1.60 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level; Professional area.)
    • While some approvals are already in place, CEUs for PTs/OTs will be approved on an as-needed basis; please inquire early.
    • Massage Therapy (NCBTMB and NYS MTs, 14.5 CE Hrs.) is approved.

     

    Current Seminar Schedule

    Foundations in Manual Therapy:
    Voice & Swallowing Disorders
    (No Prerequisites. Included in the in-person class cost is a 2-hour online component.)

    • Evidence to support the Foundations in Manual Therapy: Voice and Swallowing Disorders Seminars may be found here.

    • Please refer to this page for full approved state/national CEU information.

    • Cancellation Policy is listed here.

    Successful completion of the course and associated award of ASHA CEUs are contingent upon:
     
    1. Completion of the 2.0-hour online pre-seminar module. Should the module not be completed, you will not be permitted to participate in the live portion of the seminar. The link to this online module will be emailed to you before the live event. This online module aims to allow the hands-on training involved in the live event to begin as soon as possible.
    2. A passing score on the written, 10-question multiple choice examination given at the end of the online, pre-seminar module and the 5-question multiple choice quiz after the live, in-person seminar. A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass. 
    3. Accurate demonstration of the treatment techniques as observed by the course instructor during the hands-on portions of the live class.
    4. Complete and submit all required post-seminar forms. These forms will be given to you on the second day of the live seminar. If you have questions about how to complete these forms, ask one of us for help.
    5. As all aspects of this course’s introductory material and hands-on components form the foundations of the approach, no partial ASHA CEUs will be awarded. Full participation in the entire 14.5 contact hours (12.5 for the live portion of the seminar) will be required. 
    6. If you need to leave the seminar early, fail to pass the quiz, or do not complete and hand in all the required forms, you agree to forfeit the ASHA or NCBTMB CEUs and will not receive a Certificate of Completion. 
     
    NOTE: Approximately 1-2 weeks after the conclusion of the live seminar, you will receive an email containing either your Certificate of Completion (as a PDF attachment) or a notice of why you failed to meet the above criteria. 
     

    Walt Fritz is a physical therapist from Upstate New York, USA. Since beginning work as an educator in the physical and massage therapy domains in the mid-1990s, he has more recently applied a unique take on manual therapy for the speech pathology and voice communities. This approach attempts to move the bar from singular tissue-specific models into a multifactorial narrative, leaning heavily on biopsychosocial influences. Using a model of evaluation and intervention that relies more strongly on shared decision-making, the principles can be applied to the spectrum of intervention models. Seeing the utility of manual therapy not as a standalone treatment but as an integral part of clinicians’ more extensive work, Walt makes his approach easily assimilated into those treatment protocols.

    Walt teaches internationally to speech-language pathologists, voice professionals, massage therapists, physiotherapists, and other clinicians through his Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars, www.WaltFritz.com. Walt is a frequent workshop presenter at the annual Voice Foundations Symposiums and has presented at PAVA conferences, the 3rd World Congress of Fascia, the British Voice Association’s 2021 Voice Clinics Forum, and international online conferences for voice, swallowing, and related issues. His article, “The mechanism of action for laryngeal manual therapies: the need for an update” was published in Current Opinions in Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, and is available here. information on Walt’s book, “Manual therapy in voice and swallowing: A person-centered approach” is available here. 

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    Want to learn more before committing to the full Live or Online Foundations in Manual Therapy: Voice and Swallowing Disorders class? You can take this free one-hour ASHA CEU-approved class at this link. 

    https://youtu.be/tt94v9lP1FU

     
Foundations in Manual Therapy: Voice and Swallowing Disorders

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