Anna McLaren from the Association for Classical Manipulation reports:

Manipulating feet

"The BCTC Continuing Professional Development requirements are a great way to encourage members to increase their knowledge and update their skills (and maybe have some fun at the same time).

For the last couple of years the ACM has run a series of CPD events for its members. They provide an opportunity for everyone to get together, share experiences and have a good natter, as well as learning new skills, which is really important for a widely dispersed group such as ours.

The highlight of this year has been a weekend workshop on Podiatric Mobilisations by podiatrist Ian Linane. Classical Manipulation is a whole-body treatment which recognises the importance of the feet and ankles in maintaining structural integrity throughout the body. Ian’s approach fitted perfectly with our own philosophy.  His teaching took our ability to treat the feet to a whole new level and we came away with a set of techniques that fit easily into our existing way of working. 

After learning any new technique I am always eager to have a go and see what it can do and I was provided with the perfect opportunity just a few days after the workshop when one of my regular clients called me. This lady had just undergone knee replacement surgery. Whilst she was prepared for the pain and swelling in the knee joint itself, she was also concerned about the ankle on the same leg, which she felt hadn’t been functioning properly since the operation. She felt that the problem was impeding her ability to do the exercises prescribed by the physiotherapist and so hindering her recovery. 

Armed with my new techniques, I felt confident in assessing and treating the issue. I discovered that a slight misalignment of the talus, possibly caused by the force used during the operation, was severely limiting her ability to flex her ankle. 

After using Ian’s techniques to mobilise the talus and its surrounding joints, full mobility was restored to the lady’s ankle."