by Ron Alexander (www.fft.net.au)

Functional Fascial Taping® or FFT® is a unique way to apply tape for musculoskeletal pathologies creating an immediate analgesic effect and increase in range of motion. FFT proprioceptively encourages muscle firing and normal movement patterns allowing therapists, coaches and trainers to instantly control their client’s pain to facilitate rehabilitation. FFT allows both patients and athletes suffering from musculoskeletal conditions a speedier return to work and the ability to achieve higher levels of training competition. For the clinician it is a more accurate way to address the presenting signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal conditions. This is a clinically based practical workshop.

FFT was founded and refined by Ron Alexander during eight years continuous service as the Principal Remedial Musculoskeletal Therapist for the Australian Ballet Company. Currently co-investigator of a randomised clinical trial of FFT for low back pain (PhD), conducted at Deakin University. Ron has presented FFT to the Football Association (UK), the World Congress on Lower Back and Pelvic Pain, Barcelona and the Inaugural Fascia Research Congress, Harvard.

FFT is now used by therapists in Finland, Israel, Gernsey, USA, HK, Singapore, England, New Zealand and Australia.

The workshop is accredited and endorsed by the Sports Medicine Australia, Australian Association of Massage Therapist and Institute of Registered Myotherapists of Australia.

The Workshop:

At this clinical workshop you will learn taping techniques, FFT principles and concepts that can be applied to most musculoskeletal pathologies. The following programme is taught to serve as a framework for the treatment of multiple conditions presented to therapists.

• The current researched mechanisms of effect of rigid tape.
• FFT theoretical basis and current level of evidence.
• Local real time ultra sound investigation (RTU) demonstrating the effect of FFT on the body.
• Contraindications, precautionary measures, and skin care advice.
• Treatment options, patient advice and monitoring.
• Practicals: FFT’s unique objective assessment procedure and tapeapplication.
• Introduction to FFT, and Low Back Pain randomised double blind study
• (PHD) Pre-results!
• Demonstration
• FFT technique
• Group exercise – Lumbar spine flexion and rotation
• Demonstration
• Group exercise – Upper Limb Tension Tests 1
• Integration of FFT with other manual and exercise treatments
• FFT for the wrist and hand – incl. carpal tunnel syndrome
• FFT for the elbow – including. tennis elbow
• FFT for the cervical spine – including. whiplash, wry neck, headaches
• FFT for the shoulder

FFT® BENEFITS

• Fast and effective analgesic. (On-going)
• Allows for activity & rehabilitation.
• Facilitates patients’ early return to work.
• Maintains higher levels of training & competition.
• Practitioner guided, patient self-maintaining treatment program for work or sport.
• Reduces the physical strain to therapists of manual therapies.

Level 1 Workshop includes: The FFT DVD, notes, case study proformas, pre-reading, products, statement of attendance and patient re-application CD-ROM. See website for more details www.fft.net.au

About the Presenter

Ron Alexander has presented FFT at the following:

• International Olympic Committee World Congress.
• Interdisciplinary World Congress on Lower Back and Pelvic Pain.
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Association, 14th Biennial Conference.
• Invited speaker at the 2005 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport.
• FA Conference (Soccer) and the Royal College of Surgeons.

Li Cunxin. Author of Mao’s Last Dancer, Australian book of the year. Former Principal Dancer Houston Ballet and The Australian Ballet.
"I received immediate pain relief faster than anti-inflammatory drugs and increased flexibility, which allowed me to maintain high levels of performance as a principal dancer".

Dr. Ken Crichton. Sports Physician, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, 2000 Olympic Games, Medical Director for the Australian Ballet.
"I witnessed the benefits of this method in many of our dancers…. I would commend this method as a further addition to treatments that are beneficial in the management of dance and sporting injuries"

Dr Jill Cook. Physiotherapist PhD. Musculoskeletal Research Centre La Trobe University
“A simple way to decrease pain and increase range allowing you to start rehabilitation. This method offers the clinician a wonderful addition to their treatment toolbox”.

Date and Venue

Next course will be held at:
Date: 1 August 2009 (Sat)
Time: 9:0am-6:00pm
Venue: SMU
Fees: S$500.00 per person
Closing date for registration: 10 July 2009

Registration