Comprehensive Treatment of the Foot and Ankle
Course Description
This course takes a significantly different approach to treatment of the foot and ankle. It 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. It shows you common foot dysfunctions that lead to common foot diagnoses. The manual therapy techniques covered include joint mobilizations and myofascial release / soft tissue mobilizations. You will make a pair of temporary orthotics in the class, utilizing a structural and functional approach, which can be easily replicated on Monday morning.
As with all of our manual therapy courses, this seminar will follow a progression of principles and reinforce them throughout the 16 hours. 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.
Foot & Ankle Schedule
Course Objectives
At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to select the correct mobilization technique, myofascial technique, and correct taping, balance re-education or orthotic technique based on a patient's clinical presentation.
- Demonstrate the correct hand technique, the correct grading of joint mobilization, and describe the specific physiologic effects of joint mobilization.
- Demonstrate the correct specific techniques for MFR of the foot and lower extremity to treat foot and ankle dysfunctions.
- Demonstrate the correct specific techniques for taping of the foot and ankle.
Topics Covered
- Introduction to a comprehensive approach to manual treatment of the foot & ankle
- Overview of anatomy of the foot & ankle complex and its effect on mobilizations, MFR, etc
- Introduction and review of the concepts of functional joint mobilization, MFR, foot taping, balance re-education and orthotic therapy
- Mobilization: distal tib-fib, talocrural, subtalar, cuboid, navicular, misc tarsals
- MFR: foot, ankle and lower extremity release techniques, scar releases
- Taping: for the arch, ankle, navicular sling, peroneus longus, hallux valgus, calcaneal, fat pad
- Orthotic therapy with temporary orthotics
- Balance re-education of the foot & ankle complex
- Application to specific clinical situations
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.
Course Outline
Saturday
Continental Breakfast
Lecture: Introduction, Naming and Understanding FF & 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
Continental Breakfast
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