VC: Live-Virtual Courses

Dynamic Foot and Ankle (DFA):  Finding a Firm Foundation through Functional Manual Therapy^®

To Register for the Live Virtual DFA course, scroll to the bottom of this page after Requirements and Additional Information.  

Approved for 14 PT contact hours (see CEU general policy)
$475

NOTE:  Registration closes on the Friday, immediately prior to the course, at 12:00 pm Mountain Time.

This is a lab intensive class.  A subject is necessary for lab practice sessions, beginning within 30 minutes of the start of class.  While a single subject is recommended to see the cumulative effects of FMT, it is acceptable to use more than one subject for practice.   A subject is not essential to complete the course, but strongly recommended.  Also, note that the practice sessions are timed for one person to practice and not intended for lab partners as with an in-person class. 

DFA is a lab intensive introduction to the Functional Manual Therapy^® system of management for the foot and ankle. Through lecture and demonstration, the participant will gain a better understanding of the anatomical and biomechanical presentation of an efficient foot and ankle which provides for a dynamically stable and mobile base of support.

Each participant will explore the biomechanical and functional impact of the foot and ankle on the entire kinetic chain and examine the role of the foot and ankle as an essential component of optimal mobility, alignment, and motor control of the human system. Participants will be instructed to utilize the Functional Manual Therapy® clinical reasoning system for examination, evaluation, and development of a plan of care for management of the patient with decreased function secondary to mechanical impairments of the foot and ankle.

Through demonstration and supervised lab sessions, the participant will develop advanced skills of evaluation, differentiation of mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control dysfunctions, and implementation of an appropriate plan of care and utilization of Functional Mobilization techniques to treat the identified dysfunctions. The course includes supervised and systematic pre and post functional and structural assessment to determine the effectiveness of the selected intervention.

Objectives

• By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
  • Analyze the biomechanical difference between a normal and an efficient foot and ankle in supervised lab practice sessions and instructor guided discussions.
  • Verbalize the difference between a “normal” / “efficient” foot and ankle based on the presented “challenge of normal” clinical evidence.
  • Identify 6 key structural components of a “compensated supinated” foot.
  • Compare 13 functional characteristics of an efficient vs. inefficient foot.
  • Apply 14 function-based FMT™ evaluation and assessment tools on partner during supervised lab session.
  • Develop 10 structural and functional goals for treating the foot and ankle.

Knee Junction Dilemma (KJD):  Out of the Box Solutions for Challenging Knees
A Virtual Lab Intensive Learning Opportunity 
Approved for 14 PT contact hours (see CEU general policy)
$475
On Demand courses available starting 2025.  If the Virtual live course is available you will be able to enroll below.

KJD offers a broad introduction to the Functional Manual Therapy^® system of patient care with an intensive focus on the anatomical structures related to the knee. This lab-intensive course blends material from a spectrum of the core curriculum courses and then expands upon that material providing additional techniques and concepts not presented in the core-curriculum classes. KJD is designed to meet the needs of both individuals new to IPA, and those seeking to expand their knowledge beyond the core-curriculum of IPA.

The dilemma addressed in KJD is the amplified impact of subtle dysfunctions of the hip or foot & ankle on the knee secondary to the long lever arms of the femur and tibia. Therefore KJD participants will first be guided through select interventions for the foot & ankle and the hip prior to systematically working through an extensive series of direct treatments to the knee and surrounding structures. To effectively manage a knee it is necessary to restore a more optimal state of function of the entire lower extremity.

Through demonstration and supervised lab sessions, the participant will develop advanced skills of evaluation, differentiation of mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control dysfunctions, and implementation of an appropriate plan of care and utilization of Functional Mobilization techniques to treat identified dysfunctions. Systematic functional and structural pre and post-assessments objectify the effectiveness of each intervention.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the dynamic interplay between the function of the foot & ankle, hip, and knee
• Develop a clinical understanding of efficient knee function
• Understand why mobilizing against arthrokinematic principles can be essential to managing complex knees
• Develop skills to evaluate the lower extremity, with a focus on how knee function is influenced
• Critique the information gained through objective and subjective evaluations to assist in the development of an appropriate plan of care and prognosis
• Apply FMT™ manual therapy interventions to optimize mobility and function of identified knee impairments and select impairments of the hip and foot & ankle
• Discuss and experience the importance of a structured and individualized home exercise program

Instructor:  Ryan S Johnson, PT, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT

REGISTER NOW

Connectivity Requirement:  Video/Internet access to Zoom.  You will receive specific instructions once you register, but you must have a personal Zoom account directly linked to the same email address linked to your IPA account.

Please visit https://zoom.us/test at least 48 hours prior to the webinar to configure your computer settings and become familiar with the Zoom interface.

Once registration closes, you will be sent a link for the class.  You must use this link to register on zoom and join the webinar.

Please plan to log into the seminar 15 to 30 min ahead to ensure you can connect as the class will start promptly when indicated on the schedule.

• Pre-course videos or reading is required for certain virtual seminars.  Prior to the seminar,  all students must complete any required course preparation which may includes videos, quizzes, and articles to receive CEUs for the class.  Once enrolled in a course, required course preparation can be found by logging on to your IPA account and selecting “My Upcoming Courses.”  If you have any trouble accessing the required course preparation please email [email protected] for assistance.  Prep time varies by course so be sure to review required course work immediately following your purchase to allow for sufficient time to complete assignments prior to the start of the course. To receive CEUs all required course preparation must be completed PRIOR to course commencement.
• Lab subjects:  Some virtual classes require a subject for lab practice sessions.  It is very important that you check the specific course description to determine if this is a requirement.  If so, please secure an appropriate subject to ensure your ability to practice the techniques presented.  NOTE:  Each lab session only includes one guided practice session.  To allow for optimum learning of the manual skills, secure your own subject and do not practice on a fellow PT taking the class.
• Personal preparation:  If course involves hands on treatment, please have your fingernails filed and trimmed.
• Self review of anatomy or physiology specific to the virtual class topic.

• Three days prior to the course date:  You will be sent the course manual via an electronic delivery.  Instructions for download and how to receive your manual and any other important documents will be included in our acceptance letter and your reminder letter.
• Release Forms:  For those classes which require subjects during lab sessions, you will be required to complete a release form prior to the start of the class.  IPA cannot allow anyone to attend without completion of this release form.  Instructions on how you will receive this document and how to return will be included in your acceptance letter and your reminder letter.  IPA advises that you submit this release form 48 hours prior to the start of the class to allow for documentation of receipt of form in the IPA office and no interruption in your ability to participate in the virtual class.

Contact Hours Vary by Class

NOTE:  To receive a CEU certificate, you must complete all required pre-course preparation noted in your acceptance letter PRIOR to course commencement AND the course evaluation at the conclusion of the course.  You will receive an email prior to the class with directions on how to complete your evaluation and specific guidelines as to the time frame in which this can be completed.

• Classes approved for PTs will be approved in NY, IL, and CA.  For a different state, please check with your state board for reciprocity of CEU approval from one of these states.  IPA will provide the standard documentation needed for individual state approval if your state does not accept reciprocity.  OTs, and PTAs should check with their approving body to determine if the PT approval is acceptable.
• Please check each virtual class for the target audience and for whom the class is designed to satisfy continuing education hours.

• Early Bird Discounts:   Do not apply to virtual classes
• Student / New Professional Discounts: Students and First Year New Professionals can receive a 20% discount. Full details here.
• Repeat Discounts: IPA makes two (2) spots in each in-person course available at half-price for those repeating a course within five (5) years.  Registration for the half-price spots is on a first-come basis.  You must register by phone to receive a half-price repeat spot.  Registering online will result in you being charged full price. Credits cannot be issued once your transaction is complete.  Half-price tuition does not include a course manual or any supplies distributed at the course. Full details here.