Fascial Therapy Course Descriptions
Fascial Therapy coursework started with the four day Foundations course, then expanded to one and two day Masterclasses, as we explored regional areas or specific subject matter, allowing for more in depth focus.
What follows are descriptions of the various courses offered by Steven Goldstein
FT1
Foundations
FT1 Foundations course as designed by Steven Goldstein is a four day immersion into a blend of myofascial methods that utilize direct application to change myofascial barriers and restrictions, following a template of myofascial lines, chains or slings of tension along with indirect methods that harness the autonomic nervous system response through the varied applications of touch.
The indirect methods initially were developed organically by Steven with a sense of how to circumvent the ‘no pain, no gain’ model of the 1990’s. later realizing that these were osteopathic in their origin, and drawn from some elements of cranial osteopathy.
The ‘Two Point’ supporting and holding technique, was designed as an ANS vagal tone application to transverse concave and convex horizontal planes of connective tissue euphemistically called ‘diaphragms’ of which there are seven.
The Two Point was also applied to the main synovial joints; shoulder, elbow, wrist, sacral-abdomen, inguinal region, knee and ankle.
Later it was discovered this is a protocol utilised in osteopathy as ‘Coordinating the Eight Diaphragms’. Other indirect methods utilized in Foundations is modified low force MET Muscle Energy Technique and Positional Release Technique – Functional Technique utilising an ‘Ease-Bind’ protocol.
The ease-bind assessment and technique is used to evaluate the relationship between all the soft-tissue components of the cardinal lines of myofascial tension. These components are myofascial; superficial and deep, tendon, ligament, joint and muscle.
In the Foundations course we are introduced to several authors and models that demonstrate the continuity of the lines, especially Thomas Myers Anatomy Trains model. We view Robert Schleips’ ‘Magic Spots’, Lewis Schultz and Rosemary Feitis ‘Body Straps (Retinaculae)’ and Serge Paoletti’s Fascial Chains.
The three cardinal lines addressed are anterior, posterior and lateral. Within the construct of the lateral line thoracic rib cage work is introduced in the form of receptor enhancement using positional release, and gentle MET to change rigid thoracic cage restrictions.
The applied technique is termed ‘tensegrity technique’ in that we utilize tension or compression components of touch with the use of ease bind assessment and application.
Within this assessment is where the ‘heart’ of change that occurs to the intended targeted soft-tissue is the concept of ‘stacking’
Stacking harness, the form oriented shape and direction of the existing barrier as multiple directions are engaged simultaneously. Stacking is an integral part of the instruction in the Foundations course.
Included are modules for palpatory literacy, seeing the body from a myofascial perspective, then moving into the joint fascial interface termed ‘fascial articulations.
And a lecture on understanding the variety of applications we can use as practitioners called ‘Touch Abilities’ by Friedland and Burman.
Compression and tension levering with MET is demonstrated to clear joint compression-tension barriers. Levering is an important tool in the clinicians skill set.
The Autonomic Nervous System is addressed through updated Polyvagal material, understanding the Porges’ – Shea term of ‘interpersonal neurobiology’
We address how to handle emotional release on the table, protocol used to help bring resolution to the experience.
And by the final day this is all wrapped up with a complete revision and an introduction to addressing the upper extremity.
FT2
Masterclass:
Neurofascial Mobilisation
In this Masterclass we explore the interface of fascia and the nervous system drawing upon material from Butler, Shacklock, Hamm and others to instruct how to assess and treat neurofascial presentations of the upper and lower exrtremities and the spine. This includes neurodynamic tension assessment and neural glide techniques, as well as a dive into the anatomy and physiology of the neurofascial system.
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FT3
Masterclass:
Spine, Scapula & Thorax
The genesis for this course came from realizations gleaned over a long period of clinical tinkering with spinal facet joint relationship and the tensional relationship with peripheral muscle and myofascia.
The global relationship of myofascial lines of tension, kinetic muscular chains, ligamentous ‘slings’, and articular chains; all contribute to the complexity of presentations that relate to the free movement of spinal segments.
We will understand the 'laws of spinal motion', differentiate type I from type II motion patterns, understand facet joint motion and patterns of duysfunction. Understand the various soft-tissue to be assessed and treated, including joint, myofascia, ligament and intrinsic muscles contributing to spinal stability and motion.
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FT 4 Myofascial DFL Deep Front Line
FT 5 Psoas
Masterclass:
DFL Deep Front Line - Psoas
This course evolved from a separate course into merging and synthesising the material. The Deep Front Line meridian illustrates the connective of the core structures of the body. Thus if we use the psoas muscle as a lens, the relationship with the spine, pelvis, lower extremity, the diaphragm, throat, jaw and cranial base must be addressed as relational. we explore these relations extensively over two days.
FT10
Masterclass:
Biofield Therapy
In this esoteric masterclass we journey the practitioner from hands on the body to hands off the body. Biofield therapy is considered an emerging science since the National Institiute of Health acknowledged as such in 1995. another way to describe it is Energy Medicine. Over the two days we bridge the practical to the energetic. We explore the energy of bone, with concepts drawn from the late Fritz Smiths' Zero Balancing using touch and then explore the use of 'tuning forks' on bone. Imported and supplied is a 68.05 mHz tuning fork applied especially to a frequency resonation that stimulate energetic flow and soft-tissue change. In the second day we explore how to sense energy, transmit it, use of presence, grounding. and entering techniques, auric field and chakra balancing drawn from Brennan, Bruyere, Krueger and Dale. A pendulum is used for energy diagnostics.
FT11
Masterclass:
Polyvagal Theory, Touch & Manual therapy
this two day masterclass is an immersion in how to co-regulate your clients autonomic nervous system. the theory, although controversial, is drawn from Stephen Porges. Polyvagal Theory, and simplified through Deb Dana demonstrating how it relates to touch in manual therapy.
Included are the three circuits of the ANS, understanding the organizing principles of the theory: hierarchy, neuroception and co-regulation.
Understand the function of vagus cranial nerve as it relate to this theory, and the chronic problems related to vagal nerve dysfunction.
Compare and contrast various authors views and understanding; including Stephen Porges, Deb Dana, Stanley Rosenberg, among others.
Explore polyvagal through the lens of the Social Engagement System, understand the differences from the old ANS approach to the updated Polyvagal understanding of parasympathetic and sympathetic.
Explore how the manual therapist can engage this system to embody trust and safety with clients and offer exercises that enhance this approach.
We explore varying modalities approach to trauma through the polyvagal lens and where we as massage/manual therapist within our scope of practice utilize touch sensitively, safely and with appropriate ethics and standards.
These include FT Two Point for Transverse Planes, Hyoid release and Vocal Toning, Cranial Base, Sacral Base, Spinal Wave Undulations, Heart Based Sternal work, Diaphramic unwinding and breathwork strategies,and much more...
Within this context, understanding of the relational aspect between client-practitioner is essential from an ethical point of view, known as Interpersonal Neurobiology.
Transference, counter-transference and projection dynamic should be explored and understood. How positional orientation can evoke infantile memories and how trauma manifests in response and relation to touch is an important construct in the ethical practice due to the intimate nature of application and somato-emotional response..
Polyvagal lens explicitly by definition of ventral vagal illustrates the importance of safety, ethics and trust in the therapeutic relationship and appropriate vigilance regarding boundaries.
FT17
Masterclass:
Myofascial Arm Lines
In this masterclass we explore the Thomas Myers Anatomy Trains meridian model of fascial arm lines, linking the pelvis, spine, scapula with the upper extremity. Myofascial, joint, ligament, muscle and neural are all explored in this course.
FT Webinars
Numerous webinars are offered, including the Dynamic Fascial System, Scoliosis, Visceral Manipulation, Polyvagal and Manu more....
