Courses
I've always had a passion for teaching. This stems from the passion I have for learning and understanding. I thoroughly enjoy figuring out a new concept or approach. What I enjoy the most is the process of making this newly learned thing mine. Understanding is an internal process of the student, by and large I believe the best learners are people who are self-taught. They process the input of a teacher (or experience) and the resultant output is a newly learned concept.
And so, This is how I try to teach: I direct my instruction for the people in the class to figure it out for themselves. At the end of the day, I don't see myself as a teacher who will offer solutions to students, I see myself as a facilitator for learning. As such, the concepts I'm teaching might be new to those taking the class, but I make an effort to establish a link between what they already know and what I'm bringing forward.
And so, This is how I try to teach: I direct my instruction for the people in the class to figure it out for themselves. At the end of the day, I don't see myself as a teacher who will offer solutions to students, I see myself as a facilitator for learning. As such, the concepts I'm teaching might be new to those taking the class, but I make an effort to establish a link between what they already know and what I'm bringing forward.
To register for courses or if you have any questions please contact me at davidlaurin@ymail.com or
250-818-2647.
See under each heading for dates.
Muscle Energy Technique of the Pelvis and Lumbar Spine
Muscle Energy Technique has been part of the osteopathic approach for a long time. It was popularized and detailed by Fred Mitchell Jr D.O..
Muscle Energy Technique of the Pelvis and Lumbar Spine was first introduced to me as part of my curriculum in Athletic Therapy at Concordia University with David Campbell. In my professional development I credit him for introducing me to the notion that you should look elsewhere than where the pain is when you treat a patient. I started assessing and treating all my patients' pelvis and lumbar spine and I was quite pleased with the results I was getting. For me, this course is a return to how I first fell in love with osteopathy.
Muscle Energy Technique is a gentler alternative to joint mobilization. Using physiological proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation principles combined with precise joint positioning this technique allows for an integrated approach to joint mobilization; in essence retraining proprioceptors as you reposition and mobilize the joint. It's a very practical course and mostly very easy to use, it does require a little bit of left/math brain work but I make an effort to keep it simple!
In this course, we review the anatomy of the pelvis and lumbar and we delve into practical notions of assessment and treatment of the ilium, pubis, sacrum and lumbar spine using Muscle Energy Technique. I usually share a few goodies that may help address issues that Muscle Energy Technique may not be ideal for addressing.
Muscle Energy Technique of the Pelvis and Lumbar Spine was first introduced to me as part of my curriculum in Athletic Therapy at Concordia University with David Campbell. In my professional development I credit him for introducing me to the notion that you should look elsewhere than where the pain is when you treat a patient. I started assessing and treating all my patients' pelvis and lumbar spine and I was quite pleased with the results I was getting. For me, this course is a return to how I first fell in love with osteopathy.
Muscle Energy Technique is a gentler alternative to joint mobilization. Using physiological proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation principles combined with precise joint positioning this technique allows for an integrated approach to joint mobilization; in essence retraining proprioceptors as you reposition and mobilize the joint. It's a very practical course and mostly very easy to use, it does require a little bit of left/math brain work but I make an effort to keep it simple!
In this course, we review the anatomy of the pelvis and lumbar and we delve into practical notions of assessment and treatment of the ilium, pubis, sacrum and lumbar spine using Muscle Energy Technique. I usually share a few goodies that may help address issues that Muscle Energy Technique may not be ideal for addressing.
Belleville ON August 21-22 2024
| metbellevilleregiatration.docx |
| metbellevilleregiatration.pdf |
Muscle Energy Technique of the Thorax and Cervical Spine
See above for a few details about the origin of Muscle Energy Technique in osteopathy.
Muscle Energy Technique of the Thorax and Cervical Spine is again steeped in practical tools where each segment of the spine is given an assessment technique, an interpretation and a treatment technique. The segments are divided into the ribs 1-10, ribs 11-12, the upper thoracic spine, the lower thoracic spine, the lower cervical spine, C1-C2 and C0-C1. This makes for a course with lots of techniques, which might render it a little heavy, but since the techniques follow a logical pattern it flows very well.
We also discuss how the techniques relate to the anatomy and physiology of the spine. We touch on diaphragm function and treatment as well as neurological components of the brachial plexus, thoracic outlet and sympathetic ganglion chain.
Muscle Energy Technique of the Thorax and Cervical Spine is again steeped in practical tools where each segment of the spine is given an assessment technique, an interpretation and a treatment technique. The segments are divided into the ribs 1-10, ribs 11-12, the upper thoracic spine, the lower thoracic spine, the lower cervical spine, C1-C2 and C0-C1. This makes for a course with lots of techniques, which might render it a little heavy, but since the techniques follow a logical pattern it flows very well.
We also discuss how the techniques relate to the anatomy and physiology of the spine. We touch on diaphragm function and treatment as well as neurological components of the brachial plexus, thoracic outlet and sympathetic ganglion chain.
CATA conference May 2024: 2 hour workshop based on these techniques with a focus on concussion recovery
Belleville ON August 23-34 2024
| metbellevilleregiatration.docx |
| metbellevilleregiatration.pdf |
3 Course Series: Integrated Palpation for Manual Therapy
In this 3 course series I share with the participants the principles of palpation I have learned through my training and practice in osteopathy. While there's more to osteopathy than the quality of our palpation; palpation is one of the cornerstones of this manual practice. Each course introduces a new layer of palpation and continues to build on the previous layer.
1/3: An Exploration of Fascia Through Integrated Palpation
In this course, I share how my training in osteopathy has guided my approach to treating fascia. One of the most important components of the course is palpation. The idea is to allow the participants to feel fascia in order to be able to work with fascia. Fascia is constantly seeking a global balance in the body. Thus, if we can learn where it might be limited in that ability we can help the body as a whole. This follows the osteopathic principle that the body is a functional unit (all serve one). The main focus of this course is introducing the listening or sensorial mode of palpation as well as the phases of tissue response to this mode of palpation (balance point, still point, release, return to normal). This is applied to the musculoskeletal system.
Here is a video I like to show at the beginning of the course (see below for registration form):
Here is a video I like to show at the beginning of the course (see below for registration form):
2/3 Fascia Everywhere
After having practiced the sensorial mode of palpation, you will have questions and will hopefully want to explore fascia everywhere. In this course, we delve into visceral fascia as well as intracranial and intraspinal connective tissue. The review of visceral anatomy guides many of the techniques practiced. Cranial palpation and techniques are explored.
Some of the questions you may have will possibly be answered when we introduce fluidic palpation. As seen in the video above, fluid plays a major part in the mobility of fascia. Fluidic palpation tunes into this part of the mechanism of life and allows the therapist to target their effect more precisely.
Some of the questions you may have will possibly be answered when we introduce fluidic palpation. As seen in the video above, fluid plays a major part in the mobility of fascia. Fluidic palpation tunes into this part of the mechanism of life and allows the therapist to target their effect more precisely.
3/3 Fascia and Beyond: Chronic conditions, systemic inflammation and immune system pathways
Here we explore further the fluidic palpation and introduce the vibrational palpation. We continue our journey through deeper layers of fascia, especially cranial, and improve some of the approaches already learned. When treating people who suffer from chronic systemic inflammation (Lyme, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic encephalitis, SIBO ...) I have found that treating excretory pathways and immune pathways yields positive results where other methods fail to produce results. The Central Nervous System is difficult to reach without the subtle palpation skills based on Sutherland's work. I share my personal research, experience and knowledge regarding these treatments. Finding the health is the key.