DFA: Dynamic Foot and Ankle

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DFA offers a broad introduction to the Functional Manual Therapy® system of patient care with an intensive focus on the anatomical region inferior to the knee. This lab-intensive course blends material from a spectrum of the core curriculum courses and then expands upon that material providing additional techniques and concepts not presented in the core-curriculum classes. DFA is designed to meet the needs of both individuals new to IPA, and those seeking to expand their knowledge beyond the core-curriculum of IPA.

DFA presents the anatomical and biomechanical requirements necessary for the foot & ankle to provide a dynamically stable and mobile base of support. As the interregional dependency of the human kinetic chain is explored, each participant examines the foot & ankle’s role as an essential component of optimal mobility, alignment, and motor control of the human system.

Through demonstration and supervised lab sessions, the participant will develop advanced skills of evaluation, differentiation of mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control dysfunctions, and implementation of an appropriate plan of care and utilization of Functional Mobilization techniques to treat identified dysfunctions. Systematic functional and structural pre and post-assessments objectify the effectiveness of each intervention.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the biomechanical difference between a normal and an efficient foot and ankle
  • Understand the implications of the three main foot types: efficient, fixed supinated, and compensated supinated (flat foot)
  • Identify the dynamics between the foot & ankle complex and the human kinetic chain
  • Critique the information gained through objective and subjective evaluations to assist in the development of an appropriate plan of care and prognosis
  • Develop a treatment strategy cascade for any foot type building clinical confidence with all foot & ankle patients
  • Apply FMT™ manual therapy interventions to optimize mobility and function of identified foot and ankle impairments
  • Develop a dynamic home program, applicable to identified foot and ankle dysfunctions

Requirements & Additional Information

  • Required Course Preparation

    • Prior to the classroom portion of this course, all students must complete the required course preparation which includes videos, quizzes, and articles. Once enrolled in a course, required course preparation can be found by logging on to your IPA account and selecting “My Upcoming Courses.”  If you have any trouble accessing the required course preparation please email [email protected] for assistance.  Prep time varies by course so be sure to review required course work immediately following your purchase to allow for sufficient time to complete assignments prior to the start of the course.  To receive CEUs all required course preparation must be completed prior to course commencement.
    • Please have your fingernails filed and trimmed.
    • Self review of foot & ankle anatomy.

  • Required Equipment

    • Release of Liability Form: Complete the Release of Liability Form and bring it to the course.
    • Half Foam Roll (12″ x 6″ which measures 3″ tall at the apex since the 6″ round is cut in half)  NOTE:  You may order from IPA or a number of other venders.  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
    • Towel
    • Pillow with 2 cases

  • CEU Information

    16 Contact Hours

    To receive CEUs all required course preparation must be completed PRIOR to course commencement.

    Approved for PTs in NY, IL, and CA.  For a different state, please check with your state board for reciprocity of CEU approval from one of these states.  IPA will provide the standard documentation needed for individual state approval if your state does not accept reciprocity.  OTs, and PTAs should check with their approving body to determine if the PT approval is acceptable.

    To determine if any additional state approvals have been obtained, please check facility information for a specific course. (Select more info for the specific course at the bottom of this page and then select Facility Information tab.  Any additional approval will appear in the top left of the tab below the facility name.)

  • Price Information

    Earlybird Price: $595 / Regular Price: $665

    Earlybird Discounts: Register at least one month prior to course commencement and receive a discount of approximately 10%.  Register early and save!

    Student / New Professional Discounts: Students and First Year New Professionals can receive a 20% discount. Full details here.

    Repeat Discounts: IPA makes two (2) spots in each in-person course available at half-price for those repeating a course within five (5) years.  Registration for the half-price spots is on a first-come basis.  You must register by phone to receive a half-price repeat spot.  Registering online will result in you being charged full price. Credits cannot be issued once your transaction is complete.  Half-price tuition does not include a course manual or any supplies distributed at the course. Full details here.

  • Recommended Reading and Viewing
  • Audience & Attendance

    PT, PTA, OT, OTA, SPT, OTS

    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.

    Each attendee is expected to complete the required pre-course work before the course begins, and 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 and treatment of the hip knee, foot and ankle..
    • Shorts which can easily be pulled up to expose the upper thigh.
    • Athletic shoes for assessment on Sun. afternoon.
    • Please refrain from wearing large or sharp jewelry.
    • It is recommended to wear layers for comfort between labs as temperatures may vary in the room.

  • Breaks

    While we continue to cope with the presence of COVID-19, the IPA shall adhere to ongoing CDC guidelines related to food and beverage consumption at each course.  To avoid community spread, participants are requested to bring their own drink and any desired snack.  Each participant will be requested to step out of the room while consuming drink or food or create a socially acceptable distance from other participants.

  • Instructor Note

    While specific instructors are scheduled for each course, circumstance may necessitate instructor changes. In addition, the final number of instructors is determined by enrollment.  Course refunds or transfers are not granted related to changes in the designated instructor or number of instructors.

     

    Instructor/Participant Ratio:

    • 1 Instructor:  ≤ 20 participants
    • 2 Instructors:  22 – 32 participants
    • 3 Instructors:  ≥ 34 participants

Dates & Locations

  • On the Move PT & Pilates
    Belmont, CA

    Mar 22, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
    Peter Rumford
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    On the Move PT & Pilates
    Belmont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 7:30 am PDT
    Ends at 8:00 am PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    On the Move PT & Pilates
    Belmont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 6:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    On the Move PT & Pilates
    Belmont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Hunter College
    New York, NY

    Apr 5, 2025 - Apr 6, 2025
    Sarah Nolan Jinny McGivern
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Hunter College
    New York , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 7:30 am EDT
    Ends at 8:00 am EDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Hunter College
    New York , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 6:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Hunter College
    New York , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm EDT
  • IPA Physio Portland
    Portland, OR

    May 3, 2025 - May 4, 2025
    Peter Rumford
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    IPA Physio Portland
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 7:30 am PDT
    Ends at 8:00 am PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    IPA Physio Portland
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 6:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    IPA Physio Portland
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Agape Physical Therapy
    Glendora, CA

    Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025
    Peter Rumford
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Agape Physical Therapy
    Glendora , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 7:30 am PDT
    Ends at 8:00 am PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Agape Physical Therapy
    Glendora , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 6:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Agape Physical Therapy
    Glendora , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Total Function Physical Therapy
    Colorado Springs, CO

    Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025
    Peter Rumford
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Total Function Physical Therapy
    Colorado Springs , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 7:30 am MDT
    Ends at 8:00 am MDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Total Function Physical Therapy
    Colorado Springs , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am MDT
    Ends at 6:00 pm MDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Total Function Physical Therapy
    Colorado Springs , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am MDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm MDT
  • John Goetze Physical Therapy
    Jacksonville Beach, FL

    Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
    Sarah Nolan
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    John Goetze Physical Therapy
    Jacksonville Beach , FL
    Date:
    Starts at 7:30 am EST
    Ends at 8:00 am EST
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    John Goetze Physical Therapy
    Jacksonville Beach , FL
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EST
    Ends at 6:00 pm EST
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    John Goetze Physical Therapy
    Jacksonville Beach , FL
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EST
    Ends at 4:00 pm EST