VFM: Visceral Functional Mobilization™

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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.

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.

Requirements & Additional Information

  • Cadaver Lab

    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 [email protected] 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 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 your visceral and reproductive anatomy and physiology prior to the class

  • Required Equipment

    Release of Liability Form: Complete the Release of Liability Form and bring it to the course.

    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/

    Towel

    Pillow with 2 cases

  • CEU Information

    20 Contact Hours

    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: $625 / Regular Price: $695

    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.
    • Women:  Halter tops, sports bras, and shorts or sweat pants.
    • 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.

  • 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

  • Memorial Hermann Sports medicine and Rehabilitation
    Houston, TX

    Apr 19, 2024 - Apr 21, 2024
    Tracy Eisenbeis
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Memorial Hermann Sports medicine and Rehabilitation
    Houston , TX
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm CDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm CDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Memorial Hermann Sports medicine and Rehabilitation
    Houston , TX
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm CDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm CDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Memorial Hermann Sports medicine and Rehabilitation
    Houston , TX
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am CDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm CDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Memorial Hermann Sports medicine and Rehabilitation
    Houston , TX
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am CDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm CDT
  • Beacon Physical Therapy
    San Francisco, CA

    Apr 20, 2024 - Apr 21, 2024
    Jeanette Krogstad
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Beacon Physical Therapy
    San Francisco , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm PDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Beacon Physical Therapy
    San Francisco , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm PDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Beacon Physical Therapy
    San Francisco , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am PDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Beacon Physical Therapy
    San Francisco , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Providence St Vincent Medical Center
    Portland, OR

    May 18, 2024 - May 19, 2024
    Jeanette Krogstad
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Providence St Vincent Medical Center
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm PDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Providence St Vincent Medical Center
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm PDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Providence St Vincent Medical Center
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am PDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Providence St Vincent Medical Center
    Portland , OR
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Long Island University
    Brooklyn, NY

    Jun 7, 2024 - Jun 9, 2024
    Tracy Eisenbeis
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Long Island University
    Brooklyn , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm EDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Long Island University
    Brooklyn , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm EDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Long Island University
    Brooklyn , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am EDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Long Island University
    Brooklyn , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm EDT
  • American Career College
    Anaheim, CA

    Jun 22, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024
    Jeanette Krogstad
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    American Career College
    Anaheim , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm PDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    American Career College
    Anaheim , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm PDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    American Career College
    Anaheim , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am PDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    American Career College
    Anaheim , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT
  • Run Raleigh PT
    Raleigh, NC

    Jul 19, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024
    Tracy Eisenbeis
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Run Raleigh PT
    Raleigh , NC
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm EDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Run Raleigh PT
    Raleigh , NC
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm EDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Run Raleigh PT
    Raleigh , NC
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am EDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Run Raleigh PT
    Raleigh , NC
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm EDT
  • Atlas Physical Therapy
    Nampa, ID

    Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024
    Jeanette Krogstad
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Atlas Physical Therapy
    Nampa , ID
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm MDT
    Ends at 5:30 pm MDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Atlas Physical Therapy
    Nampa , ID
    Date:
    Starts at 5:30 pm MDT
    Ends at 9:00 pm MDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Atlas Physical Therapy
    Nampa , ID
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am MDT
    Ends at 6:30 pm MDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Atlas Physical Therapy
    Nampa , ID
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am MDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm MDT