Mini-Workshops

2-3 HOUR LECTURE/DEMONSTRATION PRESENTATIONS 

These workshops are CEU approved by National (Type A) and Florida State

SELF-TREATMENT and PREVENTION OF CARPAL TUNNEL and NERVE ENTRAPMENT FOR THE MASSAGE THERAPIST   (3 CEU's-1 arm)  (6 CEU's - both arms)
Massage therapists often experience soreness or weakness in their hands, wrists, and arms, but find it difficult to make the time to trade sessions in order to relieve these symptoms.  This workshop addresses nerve entrapment syndromes (including carpal tunnel) specific to the massage therapist.  A hands-on protocol is presented which teaches therapists how to treat their own arms and hands, and shows them how to prevent these nerve entrapment symptoms from developing.  The most common cause of nerve entrapment symptoms is the internal rotation of the arms and shoulders.  Therapists will learn time tested and effective self-massage techniques in the proper sequence and depth that will correct this internal rotation.  To complete this treatment, an innovative indirect/direct stretching technique will be taught that will increase mobility and flexibility.  These stretches can also be taught to the clients.  This workshop is 60% hands-on and 40% lecture.

QUICK RELEASE TECHNIQUE Head/Neck/Shoulder   
(3 CEU's)
This workshop teaches an effective protocol that relieves headaches and neck and shoulder pain, reduces tension and stress in uptight clients, and prepares clients for deeper work.  This protocol can also be used very successfully on clients with osteoporosis.  The application of this protocol will initiate the normalization of the abnormal curvature of the cervical spine.  The participant will learn a specific sequence to release a series of trigger points, acupressure points, as well as a modified atlas/occipital release that can be applied in as little as 15 minutes, or extended to a complete treatment for a full hour or longer.  This release is a real practice builder for many massage therapists for it can be applied in almost any setting.  Massage therapists who have taken this workshop have a tool to show that massage therapy can be therapeutic with as little as 15 minutes of treatment.  This is a hands-on workshop and can be presented in large groups.

STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE SYNDROME IN THE ELDERLY  (2-3 CEU's)
This workshop addresses the unique structural conditions and needs of the elderly.  When observing elderly clients, there is a phenomenon that can be referred to as a "structural collapse syndrome".  Many of the elderly clients exhibit complications such as osteoporosis, organ and system failure, arthritis, failing joints, shingles and other deteriorating health problems.  Usually, they have suffered losses of loved ones, jobs, or abilities.  Sometimes their active lifestyles, which has been their measure of value to themselves, have been curtailed, and in extreme cases they may lose the will to live.  When this happens their bodies collapse and their health dramatically fails.

Structurally the core distortion pattern has collapsed to the extent that the musculoskeletal system is dysfunctional.  The result is a severe pain syndrome usually accompanied with reduced organ system function.  Normally, their prognosis with standard medical treatment is not good.  However, with the proper structural massage rehabilitation techniques, they can show remarkable improvement, become pain free, and resume qualitative lifestyles.  

This course will present basic information and techniques that work effectively with these clients.  Massage therapists will hear an explanation and see a demonstration of how to release the collapsed structure, what pressures the elderly client can handle, how the overall health of the client has been affected by the collapse, how to treat the organ systems with massage, how to integrate cranial/structural therapy, and how to work around the contraindications.  However, treating these clients is a major challenge for massage therapists, and will require additional advanced training and understanding of geriatric clients.

It is the intent of this course to heighten the awareness of the unique conditions found in the elderly, to demonstrate effective methods of improving these conditions allowing them to have a better quality of life at a time when many feel there is no way out, and to let massage therapists realize the importance and value of therapeutic structural massage for these clients.  It is a lecture/demonstration.

UNRAVELING THE CORE DISTORTION PATTERN 
(2-3 CEU's)
This workshop addresses the major components of the primary core distortion pattern found in most clients - structural, cranial, energetic, emotional.  Since the core distortion pattern can be responsible for 90% of painful symptoms in the body, it is important that the massage therapist be able to identify this distortion and have the tools to successfully address it.  In this presentation, massage therapists will develop and understanding of the core distortion pattern, and the effect it has on total body function or dysfunction.  They will also learn how the combination of body reading, energy release, cranial soft tissue release, directed myofascial unwinding and deep tissue technique can be applied to initiate and facilitate the unwinding of this core distortion pattern.  This is a lecture/demonstration course which will explain and demonstrate cranial/structural techniques integrated with a three-step approach for releasing this distortion.

RELEASE OF INTERNAL ROTATION OF THE ARMS 
(2-3 CEU's)
This workshop addresses the internal rotation of the arm and shoulder which is the primary cause of nerve entrapment symptoms and conditions found in the arm, wrist, and hand.  In this presentation, massage therapists will develop an understanding of this internal rotation, and the significant role it plays in the painful symptoms their clients experience such as numbness, tingling, weakness, pain, progressive immobility and inflammation.  The relationship between the internal rotation and conditions such as carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, trigger finger, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, and rotator cuff injuries will be explained.  There will also be a demonstration of a times tested effective treatment protocol that integrates body reading procedures with cranial/structural techniques and advanced massage techniques.  These techniques include deep tissue therapy, directed myofascial unwinding, trigger point releases and individual fiber releases that will unwind the internal rotation and very effectively treat the painful, debilitating symptoms mentioned above.  This is a lecture/demonstration course.

Introduction to CRANIAL/STRUCTURAL CORE DISTORTION RELEASES for the Core Distortion Pattern (2-3 CEU's)
Cranial/Structural releases can be the most important therapeutic technique for pain relief.   90% of client pain throughout the body (neck, low back, knee, foot, carpal tunnel, and more) is directly related to the Cranial/Structural distortion pattern.  Releasing the cranial soft tissue restrictions releases the pelvic and cervical imbalances found in the Core Distortion Pattern.  These techniques can be integrated into any soft tissue treatment and will initiate dramatic changes immediately - a confidence builder between client and therapist!  This is a lecture/demonstration course.