Testimonials

We have had 25 of our therapists and trainers take an FAP, FR and/or FRC course. Our experiences and feedback have been consistent in the immediate additions to the way practitioners treat and improve mobility in clients. Therapist/fitness people instantly adapt their current practices to expand their strengthening at end range work and challenge the mobility of their clients in a progressive and safe manner. No magic tricks in these courses. Just logical progressive methods to improve stability, mobility and encourage better mechanics. Practitioners are meant to use their own brains to implement the new knowledge. Don't look here for a cookie cutter approach to treatment. Expect to be challenged to think for your self. We will have trainers/therapists take these courses for many years.
www.totum.ca

The thing I really enjoy about Functional Anatomy seminars is that it's not necessarily about learning set protocols but rather learning the fundamentals which will guide your assessments and treatments seamlessly. FAP and FR courses teach you to palpate with a goal, assess with purpose and treat with a high level of specificity. If you haven't attended one yet, I highly recommend it!"
Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) (student)

Dr. Spina's techniques are based on sound research and proven physiological principles that focus not only on soft tissue release but also tissue re-education. Learning the F.R. approach as well as clinical pearls of wisdom along the way make this course well worth attending and superior to the other brand-name soft tissue release approaches.
Amy Karpowicz, Registered Physical Therapist
York County Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic

Da tempo sto approfondendo con grande interesse la conoscenza delle metodiche di trattamento in terapia manuale rivolte ai tessuti molli. In questo percorso, ho avuto il piacere di conoscere il Dr. Andreo Spina e direi che questo incontro e stato 'illuminante'.
...Perche?

L'obiettivo del trattamento manuale dei tessuti molli e quello di stimolare la neosintesi delle componenti tissutali, favorire un corretto orientamento delle stesse e facilitare la rimozione delle fibrotizzazioni. Functional Range Release un innovativo sistema di trattamento dei tessuti molli che integra, in una serie di momenti terapeutici, stimoli manipolativi che rispettino le caratteristiche che recenti evidenze scientifiche hanno dimostrato essere efficaci per indurre modificazioni a livello dei connettivi mio-fasciali. Questo lo portera, sicuramente, ad essere il nuovo gold standard per il trattamento delle patologie e disfunzioni a carico dei tessuti molli.
Stefano Spaccapanico Proietti, PT, RMT (Sport)
Osteopath, Physiotherapist, Sport Massage Therapist
Certified F.R Instructor

First and foremost the reason that I like the F.R. system is that it provides an evidence based framework for its existence. The system allows the practitioner to understand exactly what it is that they are trying to accomplish with each and every treatment. Its principles adhere to the most current research in the myofascial world, which makes its existence logical and eliminates any fallacies with regards to the tenets and purpose of its treatment. F.R. also provides a complete system for any manual practitioner including the identification, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue structures. The F.A.P.courses provide a vital reference for the accurate location and identification of target tissue that is superior to any method. The F.R.system allows the practitioner to simultaneously assess the structure using the tissue tension technique, treat the structure and then strengthen it using the PAIL's technique. No other system provides such a comprehensive framework that encompasses all the critical components of myofascial therapy. The F.R.system is the best clinical reference tool with numerous clinical pearls that offers a wealth of knowledge in its area.

As a Chiropractic student, entering your 4th year of clinical internship can be a daunting task. After having taken one of the F.A.P. seminars, I can say confidently that I am more prepared to both assess and treat various conditions of the upper limb effectively and efficiently. The seminars teach anatomy in an entirely different and more practical way as compared to the undergraduate curriculum. I will definitely be attending the other F.A.P. seminars and I recommend that all students of manual medicine do the same.
Janine SieuNarine
Student Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

I am so glad I attended the F.A.P. seminars. I never realized how specific one could be regarding soft tissue palpation and assessment until my eyes were opened to this unparalleled system. Now, I am confident enough to rely on my palpation findings to construct efficient, specific and effective treatment plans. I highly recommend all manual therapists attend these seminars over and over again!
Nicole Sullivan, Physiotherapist

The F.A.P. system opens your eyes to a whole new world of assessment and treatment possibilities. The specificity that the system allows you to achieve is nothing short of remarkable. I recommend all manual therapy students take these seminars for not only the instruction on soft issue palpation, but also for the incredible anatomy review, case discussions, and functional assessment tools that are reviewed.
Nik Komarov, Athletic Therapist & Physiotherapy Student

The F.A.P. course I took with Dr. Spina exceeded my expectations. The information was broken down with 'on screen' anatomy photos and verbal explanations. There was opportunity for plenty of hands on and a chance to palpate the instructors to make sure I was 'spot on'. The clinical tidbits were invaluable. I like that I was able to take the information learned and use it in clinical application immediately.
Cynthia Wood, Registered Massage Therapist

The F.A.P. course was very useful on a number of levels. It provided a thorough overview of anatomy, but more importantly clinically applicable anatomy that you can use 'Monday morning'. The instructors provided good hands-on assistance and managed to weave in many clinical pearls that further added to the value of the course. Without question I would recommend F.A.P. courses to others. I look forward to taking the next one.
Dr. Dean Wright, Chiropractor
Claims & Administrative Officer Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association
Former President of the Ontario Chiropractic Association

Since attending F.A.P. I have been able to increase the specificity of both my diagnoses and my treatments. F.A.P. has enhanced my soft tissue treatment techniques (such as Active Release Techniques as I can confidently say that I am truly on the tissue I am intending to treat. The course is very well organized and the instructors are knowledgeable and very approachable. I would recommend this course to anyone looking to brush up on their palpatory skills or to enhance their diagnostic abilities.
Dr. Craig J. Coghlin, Chiropractor
Active Release Techniques Provider, Graston Techniques Provider

F.A.P. is by far the best and most systematic means of understanding and palpating clinically relevant anatomy - in existence today! The knowledge I have gained from this course will truly increase my diagnostic and soft tissue treatment skills. Dr. Spina and his instructors are also an incredible source of relevant clinical information. The F.A.P. system is so effective; I have already started to implement these techniques into my day to day practice. I would recommend that all chiropractors take this course. Thanks to Dr. Spina and all the F.A.P. instructors.
Dr. Bill Cameron Bsc.(Kin), DC., RTP, Chiropractor

I attended a weekend seminar with the F.A.P. Upper Extremity System, and I was very impressed with the amount of relevant information presented, the instructors' knowledge, the time taken with the 'hands-on' palpation portion of the seminar, and its overall organization. I have been 21 years in general practice, and before I attended I thought I had a sound clinical knowledge concerning the muscles, nervous innervation, and the pathways of nerves. It was certainly apparent to me at the end of the weekend that my knowledge drastically needed updating. On Monday I was a better, more specific diagnostician, and this lead to better clinical results.
Dr. David Orchard,
Chiropractor, Member of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board

Palpation is one of the skills that students tend to brush over while they are in school, till the real world sets in. Often times, we presume that we have located certain muscles or tissues and start making the diagnosis while in fact we could be far from the truth. Functional Anatomic Palpation is the first seminar that I have ever seen/taken that provides a methodological approach to accurately locate and palpate anatomical structures of the human body. After equipping with the proper palpation technique, F.R. soft tissue release (based on thioxtrophy and piezoelectric effect) would then allow the clinician to apply proper soft tissue treatment at the desired anatomical structure with a sound outcome measure. Last but not least, the conditioning principles of P.A.I.L's and R.A.I.L's presented at the seminar would further enhance and expand any clinicians' toolbox of corrective exercises during the rehabilitation.
Yangwei Dai, Physiotherapist, Newmarket ON

I have been a RMT for over 9 years and was looking for a course to push my limits of soft tissue treatment and increase my skills and found the F.A.P. seminars to do exactly that. The presentations were well done with great visuals and majority of the seminar had everyone palpating and involved. The instructors impressive knowledge of anatomy and palpation skills on soft tissue are unparallel to any other courses I have taken . The seminars have helped me renew my approach to soft tissue by increasing my palpation skills and making treatments more specific and effective. I have taken both the spine and lower limb F.A.P. seminars and was able to implement the knowledge I gained into my practice immediately with great results. Thank you to for making these seminars so interesting, informative and relevant. I look forward to taking more F.A.P. and F.R seminars and would recommend them as a must for anyone who treats soft tissue.
Tammy Atkey
Registered Massage Therapist
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I recently had the opportunity to take the F.A.P. and F.R. seminars for the lower body instructed by Dr. Spina and his team. It was amazingly informative and well instructed and I was able to implement what I had learned immediately. Two cases produced incredible results. The first was a man with low back pain into the foot for several weeks. He had been adjusted elsewhere but the pain would return in two days. I implemented the techniques I had learned and within two weeks the pain was totally gone. The second was a young girl who injured her right hip, leg and knee in a snowboarding accident. A week or two after her injury she came to my office unable to straighten her knee or lower back. Again, utilizing the techniques I learned at the F.R. seminar she felt 50% better immediately and the next day she felt 80% better able to straighten her leg and back with minimal pain. I strongly recommend the seminars. The techniques will bring you much better results when treating your patients. It has really helped me! Thank you Dr. Spina."
Dr. Trevor Swaby, DC
Hamilton Ontario

As a chiropractor whose practice is composed largely of athletes I have found that the knowledge and skills attained through FAP® to be an invaluable asset. Since graduation, I have attended many courses and seminars aimed at improving my ability to assess and treat my patients. F.A.P. was, by far, the most applicable course I have ever taken. My improved ability to locate and assess soft tissue conditions has greatly decreased recovery time and increased success rates for my patients. The instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and approachable throughout the course. The small group atmosphere and hands on instruction allowed each participant to maximize their learning. F.A.P. is a course that I suggest every practitioner of manual medicine attend. The results are outstanding and your patients will thank you for it.

Dr. Geoff Gamble, Chiropractor
Advisory Board Member, Brock University MedPlus Program
Preceptor, McMaster University School of Medicine

F.A.P. is a fantastic seminar. I particularly valued all of the clinical tips that were shared along with the great palpation education. The instructors are so knowledgeable and helpful. My clinical practice was already improved Monday morning when I went to work. I'm excited to take the Upper Limb and Spine seminars as well.
Dr. Emily Morton, Chiropractor

F.A.P. exceeded my expectations as the best seminar I have ever attended for understanding and palpating soft tissue structures. The hands on instruction was well organized and clearly explained with relevant clinical information and examples. It added more specificity to diagnosis with immediate improvements to clinical outcomes. I would highly recommend this seminar to any manual therapist no matter what their experience.
Dr. Geoff Outerbridge M.Sc., DC
Clinic Director - Holistic Clinic, Ottawa