Inspiration: Convention 2008!
From the moment I stepped onto the ASSTI Continuing Education campus in Alexandria for the 2008 Convention, I was pumped! Others drove in and parked their cars, smiled wide and waved at me and I thought, “Finally, I’m surrounded by Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapists!”
I bounded up the stairs and entered the Continuing Education building for the first time ever, and I felt immediately at home. Once signed in and settled into a seat, I opened the Welcome Kit that all attendees received. It was full of unexpected gifts! My two favorites being a tube of Arnica gel and the blue, ergonomic PDMT inkpen that I’m writing with now! (Yes, I wrote this on paper first, and then typed it out!)
After briefly getting to know the therapists seated in my area, we all turned our attention to the front as the convention truly began. Melanie McConnell Holtz, RPT, began our instruction in the evaluation and treatment techniques of Visceral Manipulation (VM). VM is a method developed by Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral, a French Osteopathic Physician named one of TIME magazine’s “Top Healing Innovators to watch in the new millennium.”1 So, what is VM and why is it so useful?
Visceral Manipulation is,
“A manual therapy consisting of gentle, specifically placed manual forces that encourage normal mobility, tone and inherent tissue motion of the viscera, their connective tissue and other areas of the body where physiologic motion has been impaired. (And) motion is a sign of life itself. Everything in the universe is in motion. Everything moves in space and time and humans are no exception to this rule. Our bodies need movement to be healthy. This same principle applies to every structure in our bodies including the viscera. For an organ to be healthy and have optimal function there needs to be motion.”2
In other words, we were learning organ-specific fascial mobilization. And as Pfrimmer Therapists especially, we can appreciate how deeply beneficial this technique can be.
For more information about VM and other techniques taught by The Barral Institute, or to register for a class, visit www.barralinstitute.com. (Another bonus for Convention attendees was a gift certificate for the full Visceral Manipulation, Level 1 training - a four-day course for a significant discount!)
Day Two of the Convention began with Marla Turner, (who has studied first-hand with Alissa Cohen, one of the most recognizable raw-food chefs in the United States), discussing the health benefits of Raw Vegetarian Cuisine. Turner taught about the myriad of enzyme-rich, and therefore highly nutritious meals that you can make quickly and easily using 100% raw ingredients!
She made us some deliciously gourmet eats, including a fabulous cheesecake made only with pure, unprocessed plant-based ingredients. Can you imagine a cheesecake, (just as yummy!), that is beneficial to your health compared to the heavy, empty-calorie dessert we are all familiar with? For more information, research and colorful recipes, visit www.alissacohen.com.
Nest up was Jackie Vetter’s Nutritional Journey to Wellness with Food, an “Eat to Live” lifestyle of healing through vegetarian, whole-food based nutrition. Filled with personal testimony on the improvements made in their own health, Jackie along with husband Ken (a very charismatic duo, I must say!), inspired us all with their nutritional prowess to make positive, informed change in our daily food regimen.
The Vetter’s demonstrated and sampled two mind-blowing and quick breakfast options to really start your day moving, and prepared all of us lunch – nutrient jam-packed and delectable homemade pizza! Be sure to get recipes, tips and an invaluable list of links to health-wise information at Jackie’s website, http://foodblog.jkvetter.com/
The final phase of Convention was, of course, well worth waiting for – Ruthann gave a detailed review of Pfrimmer Technique Deep Muscle Therapy. Yes, you may be amazed at the gems you have forgotten! And last, but certainly not least, all participating attendees got to give and receive one full PDMT session… an invaluable way to bestow and accept the benefits of all that we have cultivated up until now. Thank you, all!
If you missed this year’s Convention, have no fear! Next year’s dates are already set! So, mark your calendars and be there April 25-26, 2009… right here in Alexandria, IN.
Ashley Tape Fleming, LMT PDMT
PfrimmerED@gmail.com
Notes
1. www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,999699,00.html
2. Visceral Manipulation Overview Study Guide, pg. 11, The Barral Institute 2008