FMLT: Functional Mobilization Lower Trunk

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Current science and research has expanded our understanding and knowledge of the lower trunk structures and function. Becoming a master clinician in the areas of lumbar spine, pelvic structures and hip must now include an expanded understanding of:

  • The dynamics of core function and the three pressure systems
  • The current science and research of CoreFirst® strategies
  • A current understanding of pelvic dynamics

Building on the principles and skills taught in the foundational Functional Manual Therapy® courses, FMLT presents a system of evaluation and treatment, advanced manual skills of Functional Mobilization™*, motor control training, and clinical reasoning which will greatly impact your clinical practice when treating all patients. You will practice and acquire advanced skills to trace, isolate, and mobilize identified mechanical restrictions of the soft tissues, articular structures, and neurovascular tissues.  While the emphasis is placed on the management of complex lower trunk cases, FMLT will expose the importance of managing the lower trunk as an integral aspect of all patient care, not just patients who present with lower trunk complaints or dysfunctions.

*Functional Mobilization™ couples active and resisted movement (PNF) with soft tissue and joint mobilization to facilitate normalization of mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control dysfunctions. A distinction of Functional Mobilization™ is the incorporation of immediate evaluation and management of the relevant CoreFirst® neuromuscular function and motor control in the new range of motion.

Testimonials

After taking FMLT, the numbness/tingling I have had for over a year is 90 percent reduced, and my right shear has been much better.  I also notice that I’m not waking up as much in the middle of the night to turn over.    

A Manint

PT, DPT

After taking FMLT, I assessed and treated the coccyx and neural tension in a BPPV patient using lower extremity neural tensioning and upper cervical flexion/extension. The patient’s vertigo symptoms were completely resolved! Zero symptoms two weeks and counting!

Chris Degrandis

DPT, CFMT

15 years of chronic anterior hip pain led to me giving up running and competitive biking. Nothing had helped and no one, including me, could identify the source.  During the hip section of FMLT, the assessment system revealed the source of my dysfunction in 2 seconds.  The instructor was immediately able to direct my partner to the exact tissues which needed treatment and facilitate immediate changes using FM techniques.  That night I had no pain walking and woke for the first time in years without pain.

Kim Davis

PT, DPT

Objectives

  • Utilize the FMT clinical reasoning system to complete a comprehensive mechanical capacity, neuromuscular function, and motor control assessment of the lower trunk
  • Apply specific FM progression strategies to enhance functional efficiency of the lower trunk
  • Develop competence to assess and treat lower trunk structures, including lumbar spine, abdomen, coccyx, sacrum, innominate and hip
  • In supervised lab sessions, practice dynamic Functional Mobilization™ techniques, combined with PNF and CoreFirst® Strategies to treat the myofascial, articular, and neurovascular tissues, neuromuscular function, and motor control for the lower trunk
  • Restore efficient neuromuscular function and motor control at the local area of intervention, as well as Complete Body Integration (CBI) of the treated region utilizing PNF lower trunk patterns
  • Develop strategic evaluation and treatment skills to enhance regional interdependence of the upper trunk and achieve integration with the system as a whole
  • Learn advanced assessment of neuro-dynamics and specific tracing and isolating for dynamic Functional Mobilization™ of neurovascular restrictions
  • Develop home exercises to augment the FM treatment strategies
  • Analyze and discuss clinical evidence and current literature related to the FMLT material

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.
    • This 2.5 day class is quite demanding and intense.  Please come well rested.
    • Please have your fingernails filed and trimmed.
    • Please review the PNF and FMI manuals as an understanding of this foundational FMT material is critical to the study and mastery of the advanced techniques and procedures taught in FMLT.  PNF and FMI content are not reviewed as part of FMLT.

  • 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 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

    Mobilization Belt.  1.5″ x 8′  NOTE: 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 Mobilization Belt

    Towel

    Pillow with 2 cases

  • CEU Information

    20 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: $650 / Regular Price: $725

    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 lumbar spine, abdomen, pelvis and hip.
    • Shorts which allow access to the upper hamstrings
    • 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

  • Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno
    Fresno, CA

    Apr 11, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025
    Ryan Johnson
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno
    Fresno , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 4:30 pm PDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno
    Fresno , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm PDT
    Ends at 9:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno
    Fresno , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Barrows Physical Therapy-Fresno
    Fresno , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Brookside Physical Therapy
    Denver, CO

    Sep 5, 2025 - Sep 7, 2025
    Gregory Johnson
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Brookside Physical Therapy
    Denver , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 4:30 pm MDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm MDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Brookside Physical Therapy
    Denver , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm MDT
    Ends at 9:30 pm MDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Brookside Physical Therapy
    Denver , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am MDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm MDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Brookside Physical Therapy
    Denver , CO
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am MDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm MDT
  • Howard University Hospital
    Washington, District of Columbia

    Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
    Trudy Messer
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Howard University Hospital
    Washington , District of Columbia
    Date:
    Starts at 4:30 pm EDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Howard University Hospital
    Washington , District of Columbia
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm EDT
    Ends at 9:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Howard University Hospital
    Washington , District of Columbia
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Howard University Hospital
    Washington , District of Columbia
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm EDT
  • Coury & Buehler PT - Brea
    Brea, CA

    Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
    Ryan Johnson
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Coury & Buehler PT - Brea
    Brea , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:45 pm PDT
    Ends at 6:15 pm PDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Coury & Buehler PT - Brea
    Brea , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 6:15 pm PDT
    Ends at 10:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Coury & Buehler PT - Brea
    Brea , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Coury & Buehler PT - Brea
    Brea , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm PDT