Bodylight Learning - Classes - The Art of Oscillation in Manual Therapy

Many manual therapists move their client’s body rhythmically for short periods during a treatment session. They intuitively sense the value of rhythmic movement to enhance a treatment. However, rhythm is often an afterthought rather than being considered as a primary therapeutic technique. In this class we will dissect out the features of rhythmic movements in the body, and educate our hands to recognize and manipulate those features for therapeutic benefit.

An oscillation is a rhythmic movement that alternates back and forth between two states or boundaries. We will explore two categories of oscillations as they apply to bodywork:

1. Passive rhythmic movements initiated by the practitioner. We will focus on gentle manual techniques that seek resonance with the body's tissues and neuro-reflexive responses, as a starting point to encourage healthy changes.

2. Rhythmic movements that originate from within the body of the client, such as breathing, heartbeat, craniosacral rhythms, visceral motility, and others. Here we entrain with the inherent movement, and then gently manipulate its oscillatory characteristics for therapeutic effect.

Much of this workshop operates in "Sandbox" mode: Rhythmic concepts/techniques will be presented/demonstrated, and partners will "try them on for size" to see how they feel both as giver and receiver. Rhythmic work is most beneficial when it "feels good" to both practitioner and client.

Partial list of topics to be covered:

- Centering, grounding, making contact
- Engaging the tissues and structures
- Initiating a type 1 rhythm
- Entraining and containing a type 2 rhythm
- Finding resonance
- Sensing restrictions
- Using rhythmic features to invite change
- Applying direct and indirect techniques
- Seeking a continuous feedback/feedforward state
- Stimulating neuro-reflexive responses
- Sensing the moment of therapeutic release
- Exploring effects at the cellular, local, regional and global levels

The Art of Oscillation in Manual Therapy (Bellingham, WA)

(not currently scheduled), 9AM-6PM, 8 CE Hours (NCBTMB)

Instructor: Dave Campbell, LMP
Location: Quality Inn Grand Suites, 100 E. Kellogg Road
Tuition: $150 if registered 2 weeks in advance, $170 thereafter

Three Ways to Register:

1. Register by Mail: To download a form to send in, click here: Registration Form

2. Register by Phone: Call Dave Campbell at (360) 319-3434.

3. Register Online using PayPal:

Return to top

If you have any questions or comments, please call Dave Campbell at (360) 319-3434, or email us from our contact page: Contact Us