[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Functional Methods: Assessments & Treatments
There are many varieties of Functional Methods. The most commonly practiced variations are Unwinding and Functional-Indirect. While these two low-force yet powerful treatment methods allow the practitioner to accomplish a great deal, skill in the full scope of functional methods dramatically increases the number of keys on a practitioners ring to unlock well-being for a wide range of client situations. I invite you to pick up those keys one at a time over the course of a year.
This course is offered in 4 modules and will teach twenty distinct treatment methods, with many sub-variations and seventeen assessment methods. How to use each treatment method on a range of tissue types will be presented.
In the uniqueness and complexity of our clients/patients, each functional method provides another potential avenue to normalize tight or lax tissue in the body. Developing skill in all the varieties will give you a large tool kit with which to address a wide range of situations for your clients/patients. Each method is powerful in itself; some can be combined to give more variations and stronger effects. Learning all the methods and how they relate to each other will give you a much fuller understanding of how the body changes with functional methods. You will then be able to mix and match techniques to address a wide range of situations. Along with treatment strategies good assessment skills are essential. See below the full list of assessment and treatment offered in this course.
After the full sequence of modules, course participants will have an integrated and widely applicable assessment protocol and a diverse treatment skill set with which to address a wide range of biomechanical issues.
FAQ’s & Registration
What are functional methods? Functional methods are low-force treatment methods designed to wake up proprioception in the body. They normalize tissue span and tone locally, and relieve the often-complex strains running through the body at a distance.
Where did functional methods come from? Osteopaths in North America and in Europe developed functional methods over the past century. The work of Harold Hoover DO of Tacoma Washington, in the 1950s, was seminal for the development of functional methods. In this context ‘functional’ refers to movement. Hoover’s work was a reaction to the static positional model dominant in osteopathy for much of the preceding 30 years.
How is the class structured? The class is made up of four 3-day modules that are spread over a year: Winter, Spring, Summer & Autumn – see Events Calendar for module dates.
In each module, three or four different functional treatment methods, and in some cases variations on those methods will be presented and practiced. Similarly, three or more assessment methods, sometimes with variations will be presented in each module. Between modules, the course participants will practice the method taught. At each class meeting there will be opportunity for students to practice on each other. Details of anatomy will be taught as needed to use the techniques. Additional independent study of anatomy is recommended along with this course. The instructor will demonstrate the individual techniques and also full treatment sessions. How to focus the mind for this type of treatment will be discussed. Cautions and considerations for use of these methods will be taught, including age related issues, and pathology issues.
What is homework for this class like? The most important homework is practicing the assessment and treatment methods. Directions on how to practice will be given in the course. It is essential to practice starting right away after each module and frequently after that. Handouts from each module are to be reviewed and used as practice guides at home between modules.
Four-handed and/or observation work with the instructor in his practice may be available to Functional Methods course participants with instructor approval for an additional $15 per treatment session. During the time between classes the instructor will be available for email questions.
Schedule: Each module is 3 days – Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Start time is 9.00am, finishing by/before 5:00 pm with lunch & break times.
What are the benefits of taking this class? In this class series you will learn a wide range of highly effective low-force treatment methods. You will also learn assessment methods to know when and how to apply the functional methods. Your clients/patients will benefit from more effective treatment. As a therapist, you will benefit from the satisfaction of knowing you can offer your clients/patients more effective methods and by having methods that are easier on your body.
Which assessment and treatment methods are taught?
Module I –
Assessment Methods:
Layer palpation
Listening (General, Local, Layer & Extended)
Mobility Testing
Treatment Methods:
Pure unwinding
Augmented unwinding
Alternate Interrupt
Long Vs Short Lever (Not a separate treatment method, rather a perspective that can be applied to any treatment method)
Module II –
Assessment:
Manual Thermal Assessment
Tap Echo
Ideokinesis
Enhanced Palpation
Mobility Testing
Treatment:
Direction of Effort
Direction of Ease
Mixed Direction of Ease and Effort
Oscillating between ease and effort
Induction
Module III –
Assessment:
Adaptations of Orthopedic Testing
Ultra Slow Mobility Testing
Primary Respiratory Mechanism
Mobility Testing
Treatment:
Walking through the Spectrum of Barriers
First Barrier Stretch & First Barrier Glide
Middle Barrier Technique
Centralizing Technique
Reconstructed AT Still Technique
Module IV –
Assessment:
Lift Listening
Listening from a symptomatic area
Discussion of Intuition, what it is and how to improve ones intuitive skill.
Mobility Testing
Treatment:
Laughlin Method
Recoil
Flossing
Alternating Decompression
Stack and Borrow
Scrubbing the Walls (Several Variations)
Mobility Testing
Module V – Advanced Functional Methods:
In this advanced class you will:
~ Have opportunity to bring up questions or specific problems encountered in your practice with using your assessment & treatment skills.
~ Learn how to design more effective treatments by engaging larger areas of the body at one time, including ways to work with symptomatic areas. Central to this will be review of Laughlin technique and supervised practice using it. This will include the variant of constructing a Laughlin line between a symptomatic area and the primary restriction of that moment.
~ Review and practice selected assessment and treatment methods. For those who took early versions of the class some of these methods may be new.
~ Learn new treatment techniques:
Load & Tap
Accordion
Space between the stars
~ Review Assessment methods
General assessment methods: Listening, Lift & Tap
Extended Listening
Listening from a Symptomatic Area
Others as requested
How to organize assessment in stages; General, then Local, then Detail
~ Review Treatment Techniques
- V. Hoover’s Centralizing Technique
Richard van Buskirk’s reconstruction of an original A.T. Still Technique
Recoil (with variations)
Wall Scrubbing
Pendulum Wall Scrubbing
Laughlin
Others as requested
Prerequisites for Module 5:
Functional Methods Module-4 or completed the Visceral Manipulation in 10 Months series taught in 2012.
FAQ’s:
I already know some of these techniques. Can I take just part of the class series? Discuss this with the instructor. It is beneficial to take the whole series as additional information may be presented about the techniques you already know. Relationships between treatment methods will be presented to enlarge your understanding. The information about assessment methods, cautions and considerations, offered in each class are essential.
What if my schedule does not allow me to take all the modules? Each module of the Functional Methods course is a prerequisite for the following module. As many skills build on each other, the four modules must be taken in sequence. You can take part of the series this year and resume the series in a future year, either pickup up where you left off or repeating one or more segments as you wish.
What are the prerequisites? Applicants must hold a professional license enabling them to engage in touch therapy. This includes AT, DC, DO, LAC, LMT, MD, ND, OT, PT, RN. Holders of other licenses are welcome to apply. Applicants must present proof of malpractice insurance prior to the start of the first day.
Are Continuing Education credits available? Certificates of attendance will be issued at the completion of participation. Check with your licensing or certifying agency for acceptance. IASI offers Type 1 credit for this series. DIRI gives Elective CE credits.
Where will this class series meet?
880 Nantucket Avenue, Eugene, OR 97404
Space in the course is limited, so early registration is recommended. Registration closes when space is filled or by one week before the start of the module – whichever comes first.
How much is tuition?
Tuition is $570 for each module. A $30 savings is available if tuition is paid in full 30 days prior to the start of each module.
Payment in full is due at the time of registering. For participants who have already taken past offerings, to repeat the course, a reduced tuition is offered at $380 with the same savings opportunity of $30 if paid in full 30 days prior to start of the modules.
Refund policy: Our cancellation fee will apply if participant drops after registering. See Student Refund Policy at bottom of page of the Calendar of Events for full details.
To register or for questions: call (541)689-1515 or email jeffrey@jeffreyburch.com
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