Functional Fascial Taping

FUNCTIONAL FASCIAL TAPING®
'INSTANT, DRUG-FREE PAIN MANAGEMENT'

Functional Fascial Taping® (FFT®) is a treatment technique that can be applied to any region of the body where fascial dysfunction is identified.

Dr. Knudsen was trained in Australia to use this taping technique. He is the only physical therapist in the United States using this innovative method to treat most musculoskeletal conditions. For many of our patients, it provides instant pain relief and increased range of motion.

The effects are often dramatic. One of our patient's recently stated that she receives better pain-relief from Functional Fascial Taping® then her physician-prescribed lidocaine patch!

As a pain relieving method, it is used in conjunction with other treatment techniques that target musculoskeletal pathologies. FTT® helps encourage patients to actively participate in their rehabilitation program.

There are two unique aspects of this taping method. First, the tape is applied in the functional range of motion or posture that produces the patient's pain. Second, an objective assessment procedure called the digital fascial tension test is used to determine the starting position and direction of the tape application. Therefore, FFT® can be applied to most regions of the body for pain-free movement.

The similarity of FFT® to Jenny McConnell's taping technique is in the use of rigid tape to create load and stretch tissues to relieve pain. But, McConnell taping is protocol based, meaning that the tape is applied in the same position with the same direction of pull for every patient with a particular diagnosis; it is not dependent on digital fascial tension test. McConnell's patellar taping method is most commonly used by physical therapists.

Main Purposes of FFT® Method
This taping technique has two main purposes: 1. Produce a prolonged analgesic effect and, 2. Provide a continuous soft tissue mobilization treatment.

The first purpose is to produce a simple drug-free alternative for pain management, as FFT® can instantly decrease pain. A pain-free environment encourages muscle firing, normal movement patterns and rehabilitation.

The second purpose is to provide a constant sustained tension/load to the target tissues for an extended period of time. This provides soft tissue mobilization custom-made for each patient/athlete as the specific tape application produces the tissue loading with and without movement.

FFT® BENEFITS

♦ Fast and effective analgesic. (On-going)

♦ Allows for activity & rehabilitation.

♦ Facilitating patients’ early return to work.

♦ Maintains higher levels of training & competition.

♦ Active increased load (patient self administered treatment).

Who developed the technique?
Ron Alexander is the founder of Functional Fascial Taping®. He developed this method over several years while working as the principal soft tissue therapist with the Australian ballet. He discovered that FFT® allowed these athletes to continue training and performing. Ron is a co-supervisor of a randomized controlled trial of FFT® for lower back pain at La Trobe University. He was the winner of an International Communicator Award and finalist at the World Festival for medical education in training video production. He is a clinician at Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic in Melbourne and he presents the FFT® workshop programs. Ron has presented FFT® to the 5th International Olympic Committee World Congress on Sports Science and the Fifth Interdisciplinary World Congress on Lower Back and Pelvic Pain, endorsed by the UN and the World Health Organization.

Once again, Welcome!

Howard Knudsen, PT
Howard A. Knudsen, PT
Independent Doctor of Physical Therapy
Advance expertise in use of real-time ultrasound imaging for motor control assessment and exercise prescription. Certified provider of ASTYM^TM treatment.

Our clinic is located at:
Jamestown Square, Entrance IV, Walker Bldg
3585 North University Avenue, Suite 100
Provo, UT 84604
Location Map
Voice: 801-310-0851
Toll Free: 888-562-7914
Fax: call for number
BackTrainer@aol.com

P. S. Do you have a question about some aspect of your back or neck pain? Contact me online, and I will get back to you promptly.

Or, better yet, call us now to set up an appointment (801) 310-0851 local call or 888-562-7914 toll-free in the USA and make an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

Thanks!

Last update:
Monday August 21, 2006