Comprehensive Treatment of the Foot and Ankle
Course Description
The foot is an area that's commonly grazed over within academic curriculums. This course provides a great foundation for how to evaluate and treat the most common foot diagnoses that therapists see in the clinic. Unravel the mystery of the foot by learning how to treat the joints, intrinsic muscles and fascia.
This course focuses on how to restore normal foot mechanics and take stress off of the soft tissues in the foot through manual techniques, taping and orthotic therapy. The manual therapy techniques covered include joint mobilizations and myofascial release/soft tissue mobilizations. You'll also make a pair of temporary orthotics in the class, utilizing a structural and functional approach that can be easily replicated on Monday morning.
As with all of our manual therapy courses, this course is at least 75% hands-on lab, and will give the clinician hands-on skills they use immediately upon their return to the clinical setting.
What people are saying!
Top Takeaways
- How to address foot overpronation through taping and orthotic application.
- Connect the dots between pelvic/lumbar dysfunctions and the influence they can have on the foot. This goes both ways, issues with the foot can affect everything up the chain.
- How to mobilize all the key joints of the foot, which is not often taught in school.
Course Objectives
At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:
- Select the correct mobilization technique, myofascial technique, and correct taping based on a patient's clinical presentation
- Demonstrate the correct hand technique and grading of joint mobilization for specific mobilizations
- Demonstrate specific techniques for MFR of the foot and lower extremity to treat foot and ankle dysfunctions
- Demonstrate specific techniques for taping of the foot and ankle
- Demonstrate treatment progressions for the foot and ankle
Course Instructors
Brandon Lorenz
PT, MPT, CIMT
Brandon graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a master’s degree in physical therapy and was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for the highest scholastic achievement in his class. For over a decade, Brandon has taught manual therapy courses to thousands of physical therapists across the country and educated them on physical therapy techniques with a focus on manual therapy. Additionally, Brandon has pursued extensive continuing education in order to provide patients with advanced manual therapy techniques for the treatment of neck, back and peripheral joint dysfunctions. In addition to holding a master’s degree in physical therapy, Brandon is a Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT). Brandon’s expertise is in using a holistic approach when treating patients, with an emphasis on manual therapy techniques such as muscle energy, myofascial release, and low and high amplitude mobilizations. He enjoys working with all types of injuries, but specializes in the evaluation and treatment of all runner-related injuries. He also specializes in foot therapy, including fabrication of orthotics.
Brittany DeLoach
PT, DPT, CIMT, CIDN
Brittany graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology then continued to Franklin Pierce University to finish her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. Brittany is a member of the APTA orthopedic section and Foot/Ankle special interest group. She has pursued extensive continuing education, including foot/ankle specialization through the Grey Institute, dry needling, mechanical diagnosis and treatment, and advanced manual therapy techniques for the treatment of the neck, back, and peripheral joints. She believes in a whole-body approach and use of variety of techniques to be able to treat patients more effectively and efficiently. She has worked with orthopedic surgeons and other physical therapist to create a foot/ankle team that collaborated to provide case study discussions, discussions of recent articles, and discussion of new techniques/research specific to treatment of foot/ankle dysfunctions. She has achieved certifications in Integrated Manual Therapy (CIMT) and Integrated Dry Needling (CIDN). In her free time, Brittany enjoys being outdoors, swimming, kayaking, hiking, playing pickleball, and spending as much time as possible with her husband and her dog.
Course Outline
Saturday
Doors Open
Lecture: Introduction, Naming and Understanding FF and RF Dysfunctions, Normal and Abnormal Foot Biomechanics, Common Pathologies from Over Pronation and Supination
Lecture: Foot Function during Gait, Athletic Shoe Discussion, Function of Orthotics, Anatomy Review
Lunch (on your own)
Lab: Palpation and Evaluation of the Foot/Ankle Complex
Mobilization of the Ankle: TC, Distal and Proximal Tib-Fib Joints
Review of Evidence-Based Literature for Today’s Topics
Adjourn
Sunday
Doors Open
Lab: Joint Mobilization of the Rearfoot and Midfoot Joints
Lab: Joint Mobilization of Forefoot and Hallux Joints
Lab: MFR of the Foot/Ankle Complex
Lab: Taping
Lunch (on your own)
Lab: Taping (cont.)
Orthotic Discussion and Demonstration
Lab: Orthotic Fabrication
Case Study and Speed Mobilization Review
Review of Evidence-Based Literature for Today’s Topics
Adjourn
