Course Description:

Course Description
The clinician learned to understand and apply manual therapy (MT) as a multifactorial method of impacting issues of voice and swallowing. 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.
Learning Objectives for Pre-Seminar Online Module
After successful completion of this online module, the therapist will:
Be able to compare and contrast the traditional “tissue-based” explanatory model of change with neurologically based models with respect to manual therapy.
Be able to describe the strengths and limitations of a postural/biomechanical evaluation and treatment-based approach.
Be able to describe the variations in explanations for manual therapy effects.
Learning Objectives for In-Person Workshop:
After successful completion of this online module, the therapist will:
Demonstrate the ability to apply an effective patient-directed method of manual therapy evaluation.
Describe and demonstrate the various treatment options in a manual therapy session, including cross handed, single handed, compression, gathering/lifting, and traction.
Describe options and apply effective treatment for the remediation of a variety of voice/swallowing and related disorders.
Successful completion of the course and associated award of ASHA CEUs are contingent upon:
Completion of the 2.0 hour online pre-seminar module.
A passing score on the written, multiple choice examination given at the end of the online, pre-seminar, module as well as the live, in-person seminar. A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass.
Accurate demonstration of the treatment techniques as observed by the course instructor during the hands-on portions of the live class.
Completion and submission of all post-seminar required forms.
As all aspects of the introductory material and hands-on components of this course form the foundations of the approach, no partial ASHA CEUs will be awarded. Full participation in all 16.0 contact hours is 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.
There is an online module containing the background information to support this work that must be completed prior to the live seminar. The module will take approx. 2.0 hours to complete. Should the module not be completed, you will be not be permitted to participate in the live portion of the seminar. The necessary link to this online module will be emailed to you in advance of the live event. The purpose of this online module is to allow the hands-on training involved in the live event to begin as soon as possible.
Three weeks prior to the class the link to the online course, syllabus download instructions, directions, and other details will be emailed to you. If you do not receive the email, please contact 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

   Establishing the scientific basis for an approach to manual therapy that includes shared decision-making and multifactorial explanatory narratives.

10:00 – 11:15 (1.25)   Hands-on introduction and oral region lab

   Beginning to combine hands-on techniques with patient dialogue to establish shared decision-making. Content is useful with post-radiation-induced fibrosis and trismus, oral motor delays and injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, articulatory concerns, and feeding issues. Manual therapy concepts are blended with manually resisted exercise.

11:15 – 11:30   Break

11:30 – 12:45 (1.25)   Internal jaw region lab

   Using gentle pressures, co-determined by the therapist and patient, inner mandibular techniques and exercise are used to improve mouth opening, reduce pain and crepitus, improve feeding/chewing, and assist the vocal athlete with performance issues.

12:45 – 1:45   Lunch

1:45 – 3:15 (1.50)    Tongue and submental region lab (1)

   In this lab, we explore anatomical and physiological considerations of articulation, tongue posture, improving swallowing via gains in fine motor lingual control, airway concerns, and secondary considerations of the jaw and oral region.

3:15 – 3:30   Break

3:30 – 5:30 (2.0)    Tongue and submental region lab (2)

   This lab is an extension of the previous, with a stronger emphasis on manually resisted tongue actions and awareness.

   

Day 2

9:00 – 10:45 (1.75)    Laryngeal region lab

   In this lab, we will explore historical norms in laryngeal manipulation and modify those sequences to incorporate patient input and shared decision-making. Additional technique sequences are taught, all with the target populations, including dysphonia, dysphagia, globus, chronic cough, GERD, airway concerns, and related issues.

10:45 – 11:00   Break

11:00 – 12:30 (1.50) Retrolaryngeal region lab

   In this exact and challenging lab, learners will study the anatomy of this region, along with key concerns given the proximity of the carotid arteries and vagus nerves. The techniques and exercises throughout this region are effective methods for local pain, globus, voice disorders (including pitch limitations), dysphagia, and airway concerns.

12:30 – 1:30   Lunch

1:30 – 3:30 (2.00)    Lower laryngeal and upper sternal region labs

   Using simple manual resistance, awareness, and strength-building exercises are taught, combined with slow, sustained manual therapy stretching. Emphasis is on improving ease and safety of swallowing, gaining control over voice pitch and volume, and addressing local pain.

3:30-3:45 Break

3:45-5:30 (1.75) Diaphragm region lab

   This final lab sequence is a wide-ranging exploration of techniques and exercises for the cervical, thoracic, and diaphragm regions.

Timing and sequencing may vary.

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. NOTE: If you request PT or OT CEUs, you must do so early to avoid them not being approved.

Walt Fritz and teaching assistants provide instruction and supervision throughout this course. The ratio of learners to instructors is limited to 14:1 to ensure an optimal learning environment.
Disclosures
Walt Fritz has the following relevant financial relationship to disclose: he receives royalties from similar course content delivered through Medbridge Massage. He has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose. There are no content disclosures and financial/in-kind disclosures may exist and will be stated for each live seminar.
Please refer to the list linked here for complete disclosure 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 and in-person, live hands-on seminar, electronic course syllabus (distributed by email approximately 2-3 weeks prior to 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 have the option to download the syllabus to an electronic reader, laptop, iPad, etc., or print it out for use in the seminar. You will not be provided a hard copy at the time of the class unless you notify us in advance of the class.

Seminar Fee:
$600, if registered three weeks or more prior to the start of class
$650 if registered during the final three weeks prior to the start of class

Registration payment may be made using the PayPal link from this website, by using check or credit card payment from the registration form available here, or payment by phone using a credit card (585-244-6180). An email confirmation will be sent to you after payment is received to our office. The attached registration form must be completed in its entirety 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 prior to the seminar 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 originally made. All refunds, no matter the timing, for payments made through PayPal will also be reduced by the actual PayPal Merchant Fees charged to merchants. This fee is not refunded to the merchant by PayPal and is typically 3% of the purchase price. The actual PayPal transaction form, which shows your purchase and the fees paid by the merchant, will be sent to you prior to processing the refund to allow you to view the aforementioned fee.
We reserve the right to cancel any seminar based upon minimum class enrollment requirements or other emergency situation, in which case the tuition fee will be returned in full within 30 days of the canceled event. Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars is not responsible for any guaranteed/prepaid airline/hotel reservation. Prior to 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)
Target Audience
Intended for SLPs/Voice Professionals, SLPAs, 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, 14.0 CE Hrs) are approved.
For a full calendar of specific seminar cities/locations, please click here. (Link on website below)
Evidence to support the Foundations in Manual Therapy: Voice and Swallowing Disorders seminars may be found here Link on website below).