BLT techniques based on Anne Wales’ original concept

Dr Julie Fendall was fortunate enough to participate in one of Dr Sutherland’s study groups with Dr Anne Wales, who inspired and guided his research. Dr Julie Fendall attended many courses held by Dr Wales and had the privilege of working and studying with her for a long time. During those years, she started to explore Ingber’s work on tensegrity, trying to understand how osteopathy and the balanced ligamentous tension (BLT) techniques can change the body’s functioning, bring it back to health and help to maintain wellbeing.
In this course, Dr Julie Fendall will share her experience and insights with the students.

Programme

THURSDAY 23rd FEBRUARY

Introductory remarks
Osteopathic principles
Tensegrity and mechano-transduction
Fluid exchange and its importance during the osteopathic treatment
General Principles of Balanced Ligamentous Tension
Practice
– General principles: palpation, quality of contact and treatment approach
– The interphalangeal joints of the hand

Anatomy, physiology and embryology of the upper extremity
Practice
– Treatment of the metacarpophalangeal joint
– Treatment of the carpometacarpal joint
– Palmar fascia spread technique
– Still’s Wrist Technique
– Superior and inferior radioulnar joint
– The interosseous membrane
– The fluid pump technique to the forearm
– Treatment of the elbow
– Treatment of the glenohumeral joint
– Treatment of the scapulothoracic joint
– Treatment of the clavicle

Anatomy and physiological functions of the knee and hip
Practice
– Tibiofibular interosseous membrane
– BLT for the knee in seated position,
– Treatment of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint
– BLT for the hips in seated position
– Psoas tendon release
– Balancing the femur and the acetabulum in supine and sidelying position

FRIDAY 24th FEBRUARY

Anatomy, embryology and physiology of the pelvis and spine
Practice
– Lap techniques
– Psoas inhibition
– Treatment of the sacroiliac joints
– Treatment of the lumbar spine
– Pelvic lift in supine position
– BLT for the lumbar vertebrae in supine position

Anatomy and physiology of the diaphragm and ribs
Practice
– BLT for the thoracic spine in supine position
– Thoracic functional curves
– Treatment of the thoracolumbar junction
– Diaphragm lift in supine and seated position
– Rotation of the liver
– Guidelines for the treatment of the ribs
– Treatment of the first and second rib
– Anterior cervical fascial lift
– Treatment of the thoracic inlet
– BLT for the ribs from 3rd to 10th
– Treatment of the floating ribs 11th and 12th
– Treatment of the lumbocostal arches
– Treatment of the arcuate ligaments
– The CV4 technique

SATURDAY 25th FEBRUARY

Anatomy and physiology of the cervical spine, atlanto-occipital joint, C1 and C2
Practice
– BLT for the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joint
– BLT for the cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction
– Treatment of the sacral sag in sitting position
– Sacroiliac joint Nut & Bolt technique in standing position
– BLT for the sacroiliac joint in sitting position

Anatomy and physiology of the ankle and foot
Practice
– Hind foot: BLT for the talocrural, talocalcaneal (Boot Jack), transverse tarsal, calcaneocuboid and talonavicular (Chopard’s joint) joints
– Mid foot: BLT for the transverse arch (cuneiforms, cuboid and navicular), tarsometatarsal joints, tarsophalangeal joints and interphalangeal joints
– Full treatment; global approach to the body from head to toe; group work