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"Hands On" Muscle Energy Seminars
Non-Manipulative Manual Therapy Techniques
2015 National Seminar Schedule
All courses taught by: Thomas K. Ockler, P.T.
We are currently confirming details for new sessions in 2015, so please check back often. Schedule will be updated as each session is confirmed.

Clinical Pearls:

PT Tip of the Month

You’ve heard of air guitar? Well how about air push-ups?

One of the things I constantly try to help my patients with is something to help combat the ravages of “Body By Microsoft”, where the head and shoulders slump forward, contributing to a host of somatic woes, including but not limited to thoracic outlet, rotator cuff inflammation, headaches, neck pain and upper back pain. The postures that are used while on computers and smart phones, I pads, etc. just compound the problem that doing cross word puzzles, reading in bed, knitting, needle-point got blamed for 30 years ago. (See the article below for more information.)

But, a simple exercise I call “AIR PUSH-UPS” can easily be done while on the computer to help out the muscles that get imbalanced. It will require some practice but then the patient can just do them even while sitting at their desk, watching TV, driving etc.

Questions from the Mail Room

Q: Tom, I have had two patients come in the office this past week with what my PT is calling iliopsoas tendonitis?? I have been a PTA since 2006 and have never seen this, not doubting her, just wondering if you really think this could be the problem? Lots of tenderness around the iliac crest anteriorly and into the IT band origin and pain running anteriorly across the hip. The patients are wincing with any pressure to the area. Of course I have been told none of my "crazy" stuff, heat and phono is the tx. What are your suggestions? I have told both patients an independent IP stretch for home already.

Stephanie, PTA

A: Stephanie, use MET for Iliopsoas (hip flexor). Also running micro-current through the muscle will help. Lastly, look up the strain counter strain positions for Psoas and Iliacus. This of course after you have completely balanced out the pelvis, sacrum and lumbar spine!

Tom Ockler, PT

Have a patient not responding to traditional therapy and you need a new idea?
Having difficulty understanding a particular MET?

Send an Email Direct to Tom

Bodywork Resources

Constantly looking down at your phone can cause a 27 kg force on your neck

Erik Dalt

on once wrote that your head could weigh 42 Pound (or 19 kg) if you have a forward heard posture, moving 3 inches (or 76 mm) of the head forward will bear a 19 kg forge against gravity.
A recent study by Kenneth Hansraj, chief spinal and orthopaedic surgeon at the New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine in the US, used a 3D computer model of the human spine to calculate the effect of constantly bending our heads down to check our phones.

Low vitamin D levels may damage the brain

Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining bone health, but a new study led by University of Kentucky researchers claims that deficiency of this vitamin may cause damage to the brain and other organs.

The results, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, showed that when middle-aged rats were fed a diet low in vitamin D for several months, they developed free radical damage to the brain. They also performed less well in cognitive functioning tests for learning and memory.

The researchers say that several brain proteins were found to have significantly higher levels and that this contributes to significant nitrosative stress in the brain, possibly leading to cognitive decline.

DVD's and Manuals
All Manuals are also available as e-Books conveniently delivered to your inbox upon checkout

"I received your DVD today and am thoroughly enjoying it! The quality is excellent with great animations. The sign of a great teacher is the ability to take info that can be confusing at times and make it seem simple and readily useable in the clinic. You have definitely achieved that goal. I look forward to getting to take your seminars in the near future." Rob S., PT

Our Seminars

Muscle Energy Technique is one of the most effective and valuable manual techniques for the identification and correction of somatic asymmetry and hypomobility. These techniques can be used immediately to find and correct the causes of all types of pain. These are not cover up procedures, but rather techniques that cure the problem with dramatic results.

Unlike manipulative techniques, MET works via evidenced-based neuro-physiology using the muscle spindles to release tight muscles and decrease tone and excitability, thus restoring the bones and joints to normal mobility and returning them to symmetrical, smooth function.

The two-day courses involve a mix of theory, demonstration and hands-on practice. Actual evaluation and treatments will be performed by each participant using the methods learned. Plenty of time is allotted for hands on practice as well as questions and discussion.

Due to the hands-on nature of these courses, class size is limited to assure a very high quality educational experience. Attend one of our seminars and don't miss this magnificent educational opportunity!

What Are Students Saying about the MET Courses?

"Thank you very much for sharing your expertise and knowledge with us! This has been one of the best courses I've taken for clinically applicable techniques, presentation, lab and course manual."

Kellie, PT M1 Oregon 2014