 Walt Fritz, PT
Walt has been a Myofascial Release practitioner since 1992 and has been teaching since 1995. His Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars are presented in small group settings with highly individualized one-on-one attention. Join him for a "New Perspective" on Myofascial Release.
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 | | Leveling the Landscape of the Thorax |
 | | Myomobilization with Myofascial Release for the Thigh |
 | | Compressive Myofascial Release for the Foot |
 | | Lumbar Lift |
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Pain Science
This month I wanted to talk a bit about pain science and what it can teach us. I have been spending some time listening to some podcasts. In the past I've not been much a a fan of watching or listening to online videos or podcasts, but a few folks have really caught my attention. Lorimer Moseley and David Butler are both easily found on YouTube and through various podcasts.
Lorimer Moseley on YoutubeDavid Butler on YoutubeDavid Butler PodcastThe crux of what I have been absorbing is at the heart of the changes I have been speaking to you about over the past few months. We, as manual therapists of many stripes and titles, have been taught that the object of our therapeutic attention reigns supreme. Pain was described as coming from tightness, injury, or dysfunction within the fascial/muscle/joint system. But pain does not exist at the level of the fascia/muscle/joint. Pain is a sensation determined by the brain. True, the lectures and teachings we listened to on our path as therapists may have mentioned the nervous system in passing, but only as it relates to the fascia/muscle/joint. Observing some of the discussions that have evolved on various LinkedIn groups as a result of a few of my recent blog posts, there is a huge amount of dissent as to just which really is at the root of pain. Take a quick read of this summary of a talk made by Dr. Mick Thacker. This is the direction that our professions are taking, moving beyond the bio-mechanical tissue based models of pain. We may still hold our hands in the same manner when we interact with a patient, but what is happening between our hands and our mind has an opportunity to grow and change. With a deeper understanding of what is at the cause of both pain, as well as our interaction with pain, we have opportunities to grow as therapists.
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Don't change what you do, change how you think.
For now,
Walt Fritz, PT
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Quick News:
New Video, CE Hours for the Myofascial Mentoring Program, and New Seminar Locations
Hi Everyone!
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I just recently added a good number of research articles to the Research Page on the website. There were two articles that show exactly why research has meaning to all of us. The two articles discuss the lack of validity, reliability, and accuracy of locating the PSIS's. Those of you whom follow me know that I am a stickler for a thorough evaluation, for without one you are treating without a true plan. To address the concerns of these articles, I made a quick video addressing these concerns. You can find the video on my blog.
 | | Pelvic Landmark Palpation |
Now that I've got the hang of video making, are there any topics you'd like addressed? Any idea can work; what has been puzzling you? Drop me an email and let me know.
I have recently been granted the ability to award CE Hours through NCBTMB for the Myofascial Mentoring program. varying from 1-5 days in duration, you will earn 8-40 CE Hours, depending on the length of your Program.
Also, we have added a number of new cities for Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars. You can check out the list below. The small group settings with a high level of one on one instruction are what set Foundations Seminars apart from the rest. Join us and find out for yourself!
One other piece of news: Retakes are a popular means to brush up on or deepen one's knowledge of technique. I have instituted a $150 retake fee for any Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminar at one-third the price of your initial registration. Email me for details on how to take advantage of this offer.
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Upcoming Seminars
Myofascial Release...Demystified
Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars has been chosen to present at the 2013 World Massage Conference (August 4-7, 2013 in Long Beach, CA). Join us aboard the Queen Mary!
Proudly offering small group seminars with guaranteed one-on-one interaction. If you are looking for a seminar experience with highly personalized attention, Foundations Seminars are right for you.
2012- 2013 Seminar Schedule
(check the website, more classes being added regularly)
Foundations I
San Diego, CaliforniaOctober 5-7, 2012 Canton, Ohio
October 25-27, 2012 Sponsored by: Stark State CollegeTucson, Arizona
November 9-11, 2012 Ottawa, Illinois
March 22-24, 2013 Sponsored by: Two Rivers Bodyshop Philadelphia (Chadds Ford), PA
May 17-19, 2013 Sponsored by: Institute for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc.Long Beach, California
(World Massage Festival 2013)
August 5-7, 2013 Las Vegas, NV
September 16-18, 2013 Sponsored by: Las Vegas Therapeutic Academy Charlotte (Cornelius), North Carolina
September 27-29, 2013 Sponsored by: NC Massage School Foundations II(no prerequisite required)
Rochester, NY
January 18-20, 2013
Las Cruces, New Mexico
February 22-24, 2013 Sponsored by: Relax! Massage Therapy Inc.Englewood, Florida
April 12-14, 2013 Sponsored by: The Open Studio All Foundation in Myofascial Release Seminars are 20 contact hours/over two and one-half days and it are packed with techniques, theory, and practical application. Building upon a deep model of evaluation, you will leave this seminar ready to use Myofascial Release on your first day back to work. Developing the "Feel" for soft tissue restriction and connecting this to your patient's pain is an essential element missing in other lines of MFR education. Foundations Seminars delves into learning the "Feel", making you a more effective therapist. NCBTMB CE hours continuing education credits are available, as well as Physical Therapy CE Hours. CE Hours for other professions available, please inquire. For full details and to register, please refer to the Seminars Page of the website.
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Why would you choose to be mentored at my clinic, vs. other programs? The Myofascial Mentoring Program is especially tailored to refine and deepen the sense of "Feel", which is the important aspect of the Foundations approach. Break down the barriers that are holding you back in the treatment room. You will share in the experience of actual day-to-day treatment, with plenty of time to work through your own goals and objectives. Unlike other mentoring programs, you are more than just another set of hands in the treatment room. Additionally, the Myofascial Mentoring Program now qualifies for CE Hours through NCBTMB. Scheduling is very flexible. Contact us for more details.
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Another Home on the Web
You can follow my blog and join a great community at Massage and Bodywork Professionals
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New Handouts Available
I was recently asked to contribute an article to Terra Rosa, an e-magazine, on Pelvic Organ Prolapse and how Myofascial Release can help. I have reprints available for download from my website. Having professional handouts available to distribute to clients, doctors, and the media can do wonders to build your business. You can download the article here.
I also released another reproducible patient handout. This one addresses tightness of the hip flexors.
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When teaching home stretching for psoas related tightness, my preference is the supine "Thomas Stretch", but some times patients desire a different approach.  A third option I teach is a standing psoas stretch:  The three stretch handouts can be found on this page of the website. All handouts are printed in pdf format with space at the top to allow printing on your own letterhead. |
Video Content For Your Website | | Walt Fritz Demonstrates A Sample Session of Myofascial Release, What to Expect. |
While at Oakworks recently, I made a video specifically designed to help the myofascial release therapist spread the word of their modality to perspective clients. The above video was filmed in a manner that it can be inserted onto your website or emails, and can educate the public about what an MFR session is all about. A good number of therapists have already posted the video with very good reviews.
Inserting the video should be quite easy and YouTube allows for a number of different ways to embed a video. Here is the direct link to the YouTube video:
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Myofascial Release Research
The Research Page of the website grows monthly. Currently there are over 300 research citations, some of which are full text articles. Content varies from specific research relating to myofascial release, while others span the globe of information related to bodywork in general. If there is an article out there that you would like to see posted, please let me know. I don't cherry pick articles; you will find research complimentary to MFR as well as critical. Some of the latest articles that have been posted are:
Check out these and the rest of the articles out on the Research Page.
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Sponsoring a Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminar
Foundations Seminars are dedicated to providing quality small group setting continuing education workshops. Using a sponsorship model has brought seminars to smaller cities that are typically skipped by the larger companies. If you have an interest in bringing a Foundations Seminar to your town, I would love to talk. Seminar sponsoring brings attention to your practice and allows you to build a reputation in your community. Also, you will share a percentage of the registration fees and attend the seminar for free. If you would like more information, refer to this page of the website, then email me or call at 585-244-6180. | |
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Find all of those treatment and self-treatment tools that we talked about at Foundations Seminars.
Treatment and self-treatment tools, books, music, DVD's and more...including Liquid Chalk; check it out! | |
| Join the Myofascial Release and Body Worker Practitioner Directory.
Let's face it, the internet has become the primary place that prospective clients search for caregivers. If you do not have some sort of presence on the internet, you are losing the battle. I've spoken in the past about how Yellow Page-type advertising seldom pays off, especially when internet marketing can be so inexpensive, but far reaching. Placing your practice listing on the Myofascial Release and Body Worker Practitioner Directory is not only a smart move, but a highly effective one. Bucking the trend that many listing sites have set, the Directory is free of charge. Why would I do this? First off, I believe in spreading the word of the good work that we all do. Second, I believe that existing directory sites take advantage of therapists by charging them huge amounts of money every year. And, third, practice listings bring more traffic to my website, which is the point of all of this, correct? If you choose to make the smart marketing move, you can download the Directory application here and email it to us. | |
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