VFM: Visceral Functional Mobilization™

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VFM-course

VFM: Visceral Functional Mobilization

Prerequisites: None

Cadaver Labs: Cadaver Labs may be added to VFM courses if cadavers become available. The purpose of the Cadaver Lab is for VFM course participants to be able to identify and palpate the structures that we will be working on through the duration of the VFM course. If a Cadaver Lab is available you will have the opportunity to add that to your shopping cart when you add the VFM course. Watch the left side of your shopping cart screen. If a Cadaver Lab is added after you have registered for a VFM course you will recieve an email notifying you of the added Cadaver Lab. The Cadaver Labs are separate courses, and there is a fee to attend. You are not registered for a Cadaver Lab unless you pay the additional fee and receive a separate order confirmation.  Please contact the IPA at info@ipafmt.com or call the 970-870-9521 to inquire about where and when Cadaver Labs will be held, and if you have any questions about Cadaver Labs associated with VFM courses.

Required Equipment: 
Illustrated Anatomy Book.  Each participant must bring an illustrated anatomy book to the course.  We recommend Netter FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy, 5th Edition.  East Hanover, MNJ.  Novartis 1977.  The course manual will refer to illustration from the 2nd and/or 5th editions.  Other illustrated anatomy books are acceptable but locations of specific illustrations will not be referenced in the course.  Atlas of Human Anatomy books may be ordered on Amazon.com or www.us.elsevierhealth.com/netter/

Half Foam Roll.  Each participant must bring a half foam roll (12" x 6" which measures 3" tall at the apex since the 6" round is cut in half) to use during the course.  You may order one from IPA or from a number of other providers.  Orders that are received three weeks prior to a course, and clearly request shipment to a course, may be shipped directly to the course.  All other orders will be shipped to the address given on the order.
Order Half Foam Roll

Recommended Reading 
It is  required that each participant reviews the Bibliography and read any article they are unfamiliar with prior to the course. All Course Bibliographies


Purpose
Visceral Functional Mobilization (VFM) is a course designed to train the participant to palpate and identify structures of the digestive system, starting from the esophagus to the rectum, including the gallbladder, liver, and sphincters.  Other structures that will be introduced include the diaphragm, prostate, bladder and uterus.  Research has identified that limited visceral mobility impacts skeletal mobility and the function of the involved organ. This course is designed to train the participant to identify mechanical dysfunction within the abdominal viscera and provide treatment strategies to enhance function and mobility. This course is an expansion upon and refinement of the visceral section previously taught in Functional Mobilization II (FM II).

Objectives
~Develop anatomical palpation skills for the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive organs.
~Correlate subjective and objective findings gained from directed questions, Functional Tests, Functional Movement Patterns, PNF, and palpation.
~Correlate changes in visceral mobility to functional changes in the spine and extremities.
~Identify appropriate FM strategies to enhance mechanical capacity of identified restrictions.
~Develop a home program inclusive of self-mobilization procedures.~Discuss the clinical and published evidence for treatment of viscera.

Instructor Note
The instructor advertised for the course is the intended primary instructor. Every effort is made to hold the course with the scheduled instructor. Course refunds or transfers will not be granted based on a change of instructor. Please note there may be a change of instructor(s) without prior notice. Multiple instructors are scheduled for each course. However, the actual number of instructors at a course will be determined by final enrollment.

Hours
2.5 Days, 18 Contact Hours

CEUs: 
Before registering for a course you should verify approved CEUs with your state licensing board or association. State rules are subject to change. IPA courses are approved for PTs for the state in which the course is held.  OTs and PTAs should check with their approving body to determine if the PT approval will be accepted.

Breaks
No food will be provided during the breaks due to current COVID restrictions. We suggest you bring a water bottle and your own snacks if desired.

Audience
PT, PTA, OT, SPT
Attendees agree to utilize all skills of evaluation, assessment and treatment learned in this course to the extent allowed under the regulations of their professional practice act. By registering you acknowledge that your attendance does not represent authorization by the IPA, or any of its officers, to utilize any of the material learned which may lie outside of the strict interpretation of your practice act.

Attendance
We do not recommend taking this course during pregnancy due to the focus on the abdominal area.  Each attendee is expected to attend all hours of instruction to receive a certificate of completion. Any exceptions to this policy must be pre-approved in writing by the Directors.

Lab Clothing
Each participant's body must be accessible for observation. Please refrain from wearing large or sharp jewelry. Also, be aware that Saturday afternoon and Sunday labs require athletic or work shores. NO JEANS PLEASE.
Women: Sports top or close fitting T-shirts, and shorts or sweats.
Men: Shorts or sweats and T-shirts.
All: Warm-up suits or other clothing worn over the above described attire is advised to ensure comfort between demonstrations, as temperatures may vary in the room.

Course Preparation
This 2 1/2 day workshop is quite demanding and intense.  Please come prepared and rested.  Review the basic abdominal viscera anatomy and review their function.  This knowledge will serve as an important foundation for the principles and procedures taught.