INSTRUMENTED MANUAL THERAPY

The Manual Technique:

Instrumented Manual Therapy has the unique ability to provide a therapeutic stimulus to multiple systems in conjunction with mobility/exercise prescription, kinesio taping, and other therapy techniques.  This creates a more pain free enviroment to pursue reeducation of movement, and return to normalized function. 

Structural changes to the tendon and fascial structures occur over time through mechanotransduction, the same process of response to strain/sheer that elicit strength gains with exercise.  The Physical Therapist will find that Instrumented Manual Therapy fits in well with his current  framework,  in creating therapeutic effects by affecting structures through physiological/neurological/functional proccesses.

Use of the instruments:

Gliding the instruments across the tissues are done with a variety of pressures, directions of movement, and rate of use.  As a manual technique, it is remarkable in the different types of response that can be elicited.  It can affect the peripheral neural mobilty of the extremities resolving positive neural signs as described by the straight leg raise test etc.  It can strengthen tendon tissue through increases in tensile strength and fibroblast density.   As a recovery  tool it can aid in fluid movement and circulation to the tissues.  Instrumented Manual Therapy is also without peer as a method to mobilize fascia and optimize tensegrity of musculoskeletal strucutre.  As such, the instruments can play an essential role in positive clinical outcomes to the benefit of our patients. 

In the clinic:

Therapists will appreciate the brief time scale of applying the instruments, allowing for further time spent on movement reeducation, and other strategies in a treatment intervention.  The technique is also scalable in scope allowing for use in a wide variety of patient populations and conditions,  from atheletes to the elderly.  Use of the instruments very quickly becomes a natural and essential part of everyday patient care in the clinic.

The Instrumented Manual Therapy Course:

Evidence based physical therapy practice relies on an open source format, the free exchange of information, and critical inquiry.  Instrumented Manual Therapy has foundations deep in history back to Greek and  Roman times.  Recent ieterations of the technique have restricted its free exploration by cloaking it in the veil of trademarked and patented techniques.  The aim of this course is to provide a framework to explore the use of the instruments accessing the fascial, neural, and musculoskeletal systems of the body.  As with any therapy technique, the practioneer will bring his own skill set, experience, and knowledge base to bear.   The use of instrumented manual therapy should allow for expression of the Therapists skills, and be inclusive in its application.  This one day course focuses on getting the instruments in the Therapists hands, and giving the skills necessary to put into practice this new skillset on return to the clinic.

 The Instruments:

Instruments are CNC machined stainless steel with multiple treatment surfaces, specially designed to fit around the multidude of anatomic variations to the human body.  There are 4 different instruments to accomplish this.  Care was made in designing the instruments to limit their number, to keep it simpler for the clinician.  Switching between instruments is kept to a minimum, thereby keeping the technique very efficient.  Instruments may be purchased at the IMT course.  Attendance to the course, or equivalent, is required for purchase of the instruments due to the medical background neccessary for safe and effective application.