Our 10th Annual Interdisciplinary Integration Symposium is coming up fast, and over the next few weeks I hope to shed some light on my enthusiasm for this event, so that you don’t miss this opportunity if you have the same interests. These yearly symposium topics are selected based on experience and interests that developed though my patient interaction and intervention. The topic selection is further strengthened by what I have read, witnessed, and discovered using lens that have various transparencies. My perspective on the subject matter always is redefined and refined as I prepare for the symposium and as I work with each presenter and their related background and interest. As April 19th approaches, I continue to recognize the re-occurrence of asymmetrical patterns of predictable functional and behavioral resistance. We all “resist” when movement of the contralateral extremity, side, bone, etc. is not sensed moving in the opposite direction, secondary to behavioral resistance. But we should also be mindful that resistance is required for directed expansion, unraveling, unfolding, respiration and compensation.
I chose the title “Postural Restriction: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Alignment of Functional Patterns” because of its influence on alignment of malalignment. Neurodevelopmental alignment, evolutionary alignment, pathologic alignment, inter-relationship alignment, and bi-pedal alignment as related to neurologic tension and soft tissue tension. There are degrees of resistance in all of this “alignment,” as there are degrees of “malalignment.” Patterns of resistance and re-tensing resistance guide and regulate us. We all need resistance for meaningful growth and meaningful freedom. Revolution sometimes is our only path to freedom, when meaningful growth succumbs to over-resistance. A balance of tension is therefore, so important to all of us and I really hope this symposium will offer insight on how to achieve balanced resistance in day to day activity.
In 2009, I read an article written by Matt Wallden, MSc Ost Med, BSc (Hons) Ost Med, CHEK IV , DO,ND who was an Associate Editor of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies and I have been following him and reading his work ever since. I was so appreciative of his acceptance of our invitation to speak at this year’s Symposium on “The Evolutionary Basis of Tissue Restriction” and “Clinical Assessment and Interventions for Rebalancing the Body with Tissue Restriction.” Matt lives in Surrey, UK and owns Matt Wallden Health & Performance, where he is clinically active as a C.H.E.K. practitioner, in addition to applying osteopathic and naturopathic philosophy and treatment. Matt is also on faculty for the C.H.E.K Institute. Our conversations with him have been so enlightening and I know he is truly looking forward to meeting all of you and integrate his thoughts regarding tissue restriction/resistance to clinical assessment and treatment. I personally look forward to meeting him and spending time with him and know you will enjoy his delivery and personality.
Our other keynote speaker is also an osteopath and will be giving a presentation on “Archetypal Postures: What They Are and What Can Be Done To Achieve Them” as well as a discussion on “The Contractile Field: A New Model of Human Movement.” There is no speaker, writer, or individual who knows this subject material better than Phillip Beach, DO, DAC. Phillip has a private practice in Wellington, New Zealand. In addition, he has lectured internationally for several years. In 2010, he wrote a book entitled “Muscles and Meridians – The manipulation of shape.” I feel so honored that he will be here in Nebraska to discuss relationships between symmetry, asymmetry and handedness as related to our archetypal posture and contractile fields of “default movement” and patterned vertebrates (humans). I am very excited to hear him talk!
Well that is a brief reflection….and over the next few weeks, I will continue to reflect on why I chose the other presenters and why they are so instrumental in this interdisciplinary engagement.
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