Workshops in
Facilitated Pathways Intervention
Facilitated Pathways
Intervention (FPI) is an innovative soft-tissue treatment that is effective in
resolving focal and diffuse musculoskeletal pain throughout the body, whether
the etiology is repetitive motion, trauma, or chronic pain from other
causes. The therapy is performed on the
superficial tissues of the head, neck and clavicle. It utilizes specific physical techniques that
are gentle, yet the results provide long-term - or even permanent - relief of
pain and dysfunction. FPI is generally
comfortable, even relaxing, for the patient.
It is also appropriate for almost all patients. It can be done with patients fully dressed -
even sitting - so it can be easily utilized in various situations, even in home
or office settings.
FPI is a highly effective
modality for treating a variety of conditions.
It is effective in reducing ‘carpel tunnel’ symptoms,
‘tennis elbow’, and many other joint and muscle pains. It also appears to reduce the swelling and
discomfort associated with sprains, broken bones, and musculoskeletal
surgeries. (Since techniques are
performed on the head, casts and other immobilizing treatments of the extremities
do not interfere with this therapy.)
Many chronic headaches - even migraines - can be nearly eliminated,
especially when these techniques are utilized in conjunction with
CranioStructural Integration. Many
patients begin reporting improvement in their symptoms after their first or
second session.
The effectiveness of the FPI
techniques with even very challenging cases has inspired Ms. Barber to pursue
her Ph.D. degree. Her research will be
centered on evaluating the effectiveness of FPI in reducing pain and improving
movement and functional skills.
Each two-day workshop
provides 14 contact hours, with about two-thirds of the time in hands-on
learning. Students learn a great deal
from personally experiencing the therapy and its benefits as they develop their
skills. Each workshop focuses on one
level of the therapy. The classes are
sequential and need to be taken in numerical order. The training is designed to provide the tools
you will need to begin integrating these new techniques into your practice
immediately after each workshop.
Continuing Education Credit
For Massage Therapists:
Application is being made
for Florida CEUs and ‘Contact Hours’ credit by NCBTMB.
Facilitated Pathways Intervention
Workshop Descriptions (Workshops are divided into
3 ‘Levels’)
Level 1 - ‘Universal’ facilitation patterns: These include the most common movements of
the eyes, neck, hands and wrists, feet and ankles. These patterns are ‘repetitive’ movements used
innately from birth and the first months of life, and throughout our lives;
they seem to be found in everyone. The
Level 1 techniques release tensions in the neck, eyes, wrists and ankles.
Level 2 - ‘Gait’ facilitation patterns: Almost all of us seem to be genetically wired
to develop this particular group of ‘repetitive motions’ as we begin to crawl
and creep. These include movements of
the shoulders, hips and back (spine and torso).
The Level 2 techniques reduce pain and muscle tension throughout the
body. Chronic neck problems can be relieved
when the shoulder patterns are released, and many back pain problems respond
favorably to the hip and/or shoulder techniques.
Level 3 - ‘Unique’ facilitation patterns: These are dependent on the patient’s life
history, and address specific problems of pain and/or restricted movement in
any part of the musculoskeletal system.
The dysfunctional patterns are often related to trauma, surgeries, or
activities involving intense repetitive motions, even if those events /
activities happened long ago. Fortunately, the client’s presenting pain /
dysfunction can be effectively treated without determining the etiology of the
symptoms. Such patterns may be found in
any age group old enough to perform a repetitive motion - even ‘Little-League’
participants. ‘Unique’ patterns have
also been identified in some physically handicapped preschool children. Level 3 techniques have successfully resolved
long-term chronic pain and numerous problems that had defied many other
treatment techniques.
(Class outlines
are being updated.)