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How considering fascia may benefit your work and your patients.

Many podiatry MSK patients present with conditions that, between us, can be managed well, resulting in good outcomes. Occasionally, outcomes do not provide the resolutions we hoped for so having a further differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning option can be invaluable.

Appreciating the intimate functional relationship between muscle and its associated fascia is one such significant option. 

The Fascial Manipulation® Stecco method  (FM) courses and resulting model of work can aid both diagnosis, practical intervention and provide a sense of the patient and practitioner working together. Reinforcing a therapeutic alliance relationship. It can provide:

• Insight into the  anatomy, physiology, neurology and pathology of fascial tissue and its associated muscles. 
• A distinctive level of clinical reasoning and practical application, based on the above, to benefit many patients. Giving us a different way “in”, to aid a positive resolution. 

As one highly experienced MSK podiatrist chose to put it: 

“I love this course. It’ll change how you work….in a good way”. Bob Longworth

How robust are the Fascial Manipulation courses?

• Detailed anatomy, physiology, neurology and pathology theory, underpinning the clinical reasoning of the  courses, are based upon the continually emerging knowledge of fascia over the last 20 years.
• FM does not intend to change deep muscular fascial tissue. Rather it targets particular chemistry within the tissue layers, Hyaluronic Acid (HA). One role of HA,  as a lubricant, is to facilitate layers of muscular fascial to glide as their associated muscles work. It is proposed injury can lead to negative changes in the molecular status of HA, increasing its viscosity with subsequent inhibition of the muscle  and potential impact upon its proprioceptors, muscle spindles. Imaging has demonstrated potential for the mechanism of FM to facilitate positive changes in localised HA and potential restoration of healthy gliding of the fascial layers. 
• FM can work as a stand alone treatment but commonly within a care pathway and is applicable for many of the common low limb MSK presentations within podiatry.
• The online theory courses for levels 1 and 2 are prepared and presented by Professors Carla and Antonio Stecco.
• The onsite practical part of the courses for podiatrists are led by Professor Antonio Stecco. These are immensely practical throughout. 

These courses are approved* for extended scope practice  by the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPOD), for its own members. Non-members are warmly welcome to attend but need to ensure their own professional body provides insurance cover.  (*reapproval is currently pending)

How are the courses structured?

Each course is divided into an online theory (1a) for lectures and an attended 2 day practical (1b). Attendance at the practical is required for the course to be completed.

The online theory is formed of 2 blocks: a Basic Science (anatomy theory) and a Clinical Science (application with supportive videos).

Both blocks have MCQ exams, based upon knowledge obtained from the online lectures.

Please note, all online theory and practical, together with any video materials are covered by International Copyright and are not to be passed on nor copied. Similarly, the supplied textbook is fully Copyright. 

In brief, the courses give you:

• A detailed approach for  assessing, diagnosing, treating fascial contributors to our pain or limited function experience, that may not lie in muscle, tendons, joints direct  but in  associated  deep fascial tissues. 
• Throughout the courses detailed attention and instruction is given to safe handling and positioning of patients for each aspect of a given treatment. Similarly, attendees are instructed in safe practice and positioning of themselves in provision of such treatment. It is important to adopt these in clinical practice. Videos within each level will demonstrate these.

Want an idea of the level of lectures? click here.