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IPA has led the profession since 1978 in the understanding and implementation of myofascial and soft tissue mobilization for treatment of human structure and function. FMI, (formerly FO I) was the first biomechanical soft tissue mobilization (STM) course offered to the PT profession. In FMI, the participant personally experiences the dynamic changes in his or her structure and function as well as facilitates changes in a lab partner during supervised lab sessions. Master clinician instructors guide the participants in:
- An understanding of the dynamic Functional Manual Therapy® clinical reasoning system
- Comprehensive discussion of the three pillars of FMT: Mechanical Capacity, Neuromuscular Function, and Motor Control
- Observation of posture and dynamic movement assessment
- Three Functional Tests to be used before and after each intervention
- End feel assessment and interpretation
- Localization of mechanical myofascial and soft tissue dysfunctions
- Specific Functional Mobilization™ techniques which combine soft tissue and joint mobilization with active or resisted patient movements and PNF. With direct progressions into specific exercise training.
After taking FMI, the skills and techniques learned will directly impact your clinical practice by empowering you to create immediate changes in the function of the human body with three dimensional and localized manual therapy interventions. The immediate clinical impact of FMI stems from the supervised lab sessions in which the participants observe the correlation between the mechanical capacity of the soft tissue system and posture and functional movements. The concept of the human body as an interconnected and dynamic system permeates the instruction and lab practice sessions. Emphasis is placed on your skill development for both observation and manual treatment.
Testimonials
I really love this class! Hands-on approach, systematic approach, soft tissue techniques, the repetition of this approach, the energetic lead instructor and lab assistants. [FMI] had the perfect balance between lecture and lab work. Ample time to perform hands-on labs without feeling like it was dragging on.

T McKenzie
PT, DPT
I have taken so many classes and this has been the closest I have felt to being Harry Potter because I felt like a wizard!! This IPA stuff really works! The best part is I do not need to work as hard as I usually do and I got better results with my patients! Thanks again!

Kimmi (Cindy) Dao
PT, DPT
Objectives
- Apply the clinical reasoning system of Functional Manual Therapy® to the assessment and treatment of the human system
- Define the relevance between treating towards “normal” versus “efficient”
- Develop skills to identify efficient and inefficient structure and function through observation, palpation, and three IPA functional tests
- Correlate subjective and objective findings to soft tissue dysfunctions
- Develop layer palpation skills to assist in specifying the exact dysfunctional structures
- Perform seven specific functional soft tissue mobilization techniques as an integrated component of the FMT system
- Acquire the knowledge necessary to design and implement an appropriate home exercise program
- Discuss the current literature related to myofascial and soft tissue mobilization
Requirements & Additional Information
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Required Course Preparation
Prior to the classroom portion of this course, all students must complete required course preparation. The preparation for FM I includes videos, quizzes, and articles. Plan to spend 5-6 hours learning this important information. 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 call our office at 970-870-9521 for assistance. Note: iPads and iPhones do not support flash which is required for the quiz portions of the pre-course work. Videos are viewable, but a computer will be needed to complete all quizzes. Also, please note that approved CEUs may vary depending on individual states’ treatment of Online vs. Classroom Instruction.
- 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 info@ipafmt.com 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.
- This 3 day class is quite demanding and intense. Please come well rested.
- Please have your fingernails filed and trimmed.
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Required Equipment
Release of Liability Form: Complete the Release of Liability Form and bring it to the course.
Towel
Pillow and 2 cases
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CEU Information
28 Contact Hours (includes in person and pre-course video review and quizzes)
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.)
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Price Information
Earlybird Price: $725 / Regular Price: $805
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.
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Recommended Reading and Viewing
It is recommended that each participant reviews the Bibliography and read any article they are unfamiliar with prior to the course. All Course Bibliographies.
Therapeutic Exercises for Spinal Segmental Stabilization in Low Back Pain, 2nd Edition 2004, Richardson, Carolyn; Hodges, Paul; Hides, Julie.
Lumbar Multifidus Bibliography -
Audience & Attendance
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.
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.
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Lab Clothing
- Each participant’s body must be accessible for observation and treatment.
- Women: Halter tops, sports bras, or similar and shorts which allow access to the upper thigh. NOTE: Be sure the posterior spine is accessible for complete palpation. Be sure your top does not have too broad of covering in the back and/or can be easily unfastened. Avoid leggings as they do not allow sufficient access to the lower extremity.
- Men: shorts or sweat pants.
- 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.
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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.
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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
Hours
3 Days, 22.5-30.0 Hours. (Approved CEUs vary by state.)
Prerequisites
None
Required Equipment
- Release of Liability
- Towel
- Pillow and 2 cases
Dates & Locations
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Long Island UniversityBrooklyn, NY
Feb 2, 2024 EST - Feb 4, 2024 ESTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Long Island University Brooklyn , NYDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EST
Ends at 8:30 am ESTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Long Island University Brooklyn , NYDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EST
Ends at 7:00 pm ESTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Long Island University Brooklyn , NYDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EST
Ends at 6:30 pm ESTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Long Island University Brooklyn , NYDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EST
Ends at 4:00 pm EST -
WeycoMilwaukee, WI
Feb 23, 2024 CST - Feb 25, 2024 CSTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Weyco Milwaukee , WIDate:
Starts at 8:00 am CST
Ends at 8:30 am CSTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Weyco Milwaukee , WIDate:
Starts at 8:30 am CST
Ends at 7:00 pm CSTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Weyco Milwaukee , WIDate:
Starts at 8:30 am CST
Ends at 6:30 pm CSTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Weyco Milwaukee , WIDate:
Starts at 8:00 am CST
Ends at 4:00 pm CST -
On the Move PT & PilatesBelmont, CA
Mar 8, 2024 PST - Mar 10, 2024 PDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
On the Move PT & Pilates Belmont , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PST
Ends at 8:30 am PDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
On the Move PT & Pilates Belmont , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PST
Ends at 7:00 pm PSTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
On the Move PT & Pilates Belmont , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PST
Ends at 6:30 pm PSTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
On the Move PT & Pilates Belmont , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PDT
Ends at 4:00 pm PDT -
Emory University HospitalAtlanta, GA
Apr 12, 2024 EDT - Apr 14, 2024 EDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Emory University Hospital Atlanta , GADate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 8:30 am EDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Emory University Hospital Atlanta , GADate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 7:00 pm EDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Emory University Hospital Atlanta , GADate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 6:30 pm EDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Emory University Hospital Atlanta , GADate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 4:00 pm EDT -
Total Function Physical TherapyColorado Springs, CO
Apr 26, 2024 MDT - Apr 28, 2024 MDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Total Function Physical Therapy Colorado Springs , CODate:
Starts at 12:00 pm MDT
Ends at 12:30 pm MDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Total Function Physical Therapy Colorado Springs , CODate:
Starts at 12:30 pm MDT
Ends at 9:30 pm MDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Total Function Physical Therapy Colorado Springs , CODate:
Starts at 8:00 am MDT
Ends at 7:00 pm MDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Total Function Physical Therapy Colorado Springs , CODate:
Starts at 8:00 am MDT
Ends at 4:00 pm MDT -
Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
May 3, 2024 EDT - May 5, 2024 EDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Hunter College New York , NYDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 8:30 am EDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Hunter College New York , NYDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 7:00 pm EDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Hunter College New York , NYDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 6:30 pm EDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Hunter College New York , NYDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 4:00 pm EDT -
Atlas Physical TherapyNampa, ID
May 17, 2024 MDT - May 19, 2024 MDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Atlas Physical Therapy Nampa , IDDate:
Starts at 8:00 am MDT
Ends at 8:30 am MDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Atlas Physical Therapy Nampa , IDDate:
Starts at 8:30 am MDT
Ends at 7:00 pm MDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Atlas Physical Therapy Nampa , IDDate:
Starts at 8:30 am MDT
Ends at 6:30 pm MDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Atlas Physical Therapy Nampa , IDDate:
Starts at 8:00 am MDT
Ends at 4:00 pm MDT -
Barrows Physical Therapy-FresnoFresno, CA
Jun 7, 2024 PDT - Jun 9, 2024 PDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno Fresno , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PDT
Ends at 8:30 am PDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno Fresno , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PDT
Ends at 7:00 pm PDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno Fresno , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PDT
Ends at 6:30 pm PDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno Fresno , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PDT
Ends at 4:00 pm PDT -
Water and Sports Physical TherapySan Diego, CA
Jul 19, 2024 PDT - Jul 21, 2024 PDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Water and Sports Physical Therapy San Diego , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PDT
Ends at 8:30 am PDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Water and Sports Physical Therapy San Diego , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PDT
Ends at 7:00 pm PDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Water and Sports Physical Therapy San Diego , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PDT
Ends at 6:30 pm PDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Water and Sports Physical Therapy San Diego , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PDT
Ends at 4:00 pm PDT -
Howard University HospitalWashington, District of Columbia
Aug 23, 2024 EDT - Aug 25, 2024 EDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
Howard University Hospital Washington , District of ColumbiaDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 8:30 am EDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
Howard University Hospital Washington , District of ColumbiaDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 7:00 pm EDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
Howard University Hospital Washington , District of ColumbiaDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 6:30 pm EDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
Howard University Hospital Washington , District of ColumbiaDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 4:00 pm EDT -
ReLive Physical TherapyBloomingdale, IL
Oct 18, 2024 CDT - Oct 20, 2024 CDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
ReLive Physical Therapy Bloomingdale , ILDate:
Starts at 8:00 am CDT
Ends at 8:30 am CDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
ReLive Physical Therapy Bloomingdale , ILDate:
Starts at 8:30 am CDT
Ends at 7:00 pm CDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
ReLive Physical Therapy Bloomingdale , ILDate:
Starts at 8:30 am CDT
Ends at 6:30 pm CDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
ReLive Physical Therapy Bloomingdale , ILDate:
Starts at 8:00 am CDT
Ends at 4:00 pm CDT -
LeClair TherapyEssex Junction, VT
Oct 25, 2024 EDT - Oct 27, 2024 EDTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
LeClair Therapy Essex Junction , VTDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 8:30 am EDTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
LeClair Therapy Essex Junction , VTDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 7:00 pm EDTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
LeClair Therapy Essex Junction , VTDate:
Starts at 8:30 am EDT
Ends at 6:30 pm EDTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
LeClair Therapy Essex Junction , VTDate:
Starts at 8:00 am EDT
Ends at 4:00 pm EDT -
American Career College - Ontario, CAOntario, CA
Nov 8, 2024 PST - Nov 10, 2024 PSTSchedule Location Date & Time Course:
Check-inLocation:
American Career College - Ontario, CA Ontario , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PST
Ends at 8:30 am PSTCourse:
Friday InstructionLocation:
American Career College - Ontario, CA Ontario , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PST
Ends at 7:00 pm PSTCourse:
Saturday InstructionLocation:
American Career College - Ontario, CA Ontario , CADate:
Starts at 8:30 am PST
Ends at 6:30 pm PSTCourse:
Sunday InstructionLocation:
American Career College - Ontario, CA Ontario , CADate:
Starts at 8:00 am PST
Ends at 4:00 pm PST