Fascial Manipulation® ‘Dr. Antonio Stecco’ Manual Therapy – Level 1 (FM-1)

The “Stecco® Method” developed by Dr. Antonio Stecco

Course Instructors: Dr. Antonio Stecco or Dr. Stephen F. Oswald

Course Features

  • Type – Live (w/online study)
  • Duration – 13 hr. video plus a three-day hands-on session
  • Appropriate for – MDs, DCS, PTS, ATHLETIC TRAINERS and students who have completed 3rd years of college completing such courses as anatomy, physiology and biomechanics
  • Language – English
  • 24 Contact Hours (Pending Approval)

Course Description

The Level 1 Fascial Manipulation® course (FM-1) consists of a hybrid 13 hr. video plus a three-day hands-on session that need to be taken within 4-6 weeks of each other to assure a good understanding of the underlying biomechanical rationale and mastery of the technique.

The Fascial Manipulation® Level 1 (FM-1) Course offers an in-depth exploration of the Fascial Manipulation® method by Stecco®. This course is designed for physical therapists and other licensed healthcare practitioners involved in manual therapy, providing them with the skills and knowledge to effectively assess and treat myofascial disorders.

Course FM-1a (13 hours of online content) will review the basic principles of Fascial Manipulation®, including an introduction to fascial anatomy, and the biomechanical model employed in this method. The myofascial units that form the myofascial sequences of the upper limbs, trunk, and the lower limbs in the sagittal and frontal planes will be presented.

Course FM-1b will consist of the physiology of the fascial system and the assessment and treatment of the myofascial units for the upper limbs, trunk, and the lower limbs in the horizontal plane. At the completion of FM-1b all participants will be capable of utilizing the Assessment Chart for a 3D examination of the human fascial system. Proficiency in the comparative examination of Centers of Coordination will be stressed, as well as streamlining of treatment strategies.

For the live portion of the course (FM-1b), participants should bring comfortable clothing suitable for lab-based activities, including loose shorts and tank tops. All other necessary tools and materials for the course will be provided during the sessions.

Day 1

Introduction, principles, and palpation techniques for the upper limbs

08:00 – 8:10 Introduction, Review of Course Objectives, Agenda, Assessment Scheme
8:10 – 9:00 Introduction to Fascial Manipulation® Method and Principles
9:00 – 10:00 Overview of Fascial Anatomy and Biomechanical Model
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:30 Myofascial Sequences of the Upper Limbs – Theory and Palpation
11:30 – 12:30 Practical Lab – Upper Limb Palpation Techniques
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:30 Myofascial Sequences of the Trunk – Theory and Palpation
2:30 – 3:30 Practical Lab – Trunk Palpation Techniques
3:30 – 3:45 Break
3:45 – 5:00 Myofascial Sequences of the Lower Limbs – Theory and Palpation
5:00 – 6:00 Practical Lab – Lower Limb Palpation Techniques

Day 2

Assessment and treatment strategies for the trunk and lower limbs

08:00 – 8:10 Recap of Day 1, Introduction to Day 2 Objectives
8:10 – 9:00 Assessment Chart Utilization – Introduction and Theory
9:00 – 10:00 Case Studies – Assessment and Diagnosis
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:30 Assessment Chart Practical Lab – Upper Limbs
11:30 – 12:30 Assessment Chart Practical Lab – Trunk
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:30 Assessment Chart Practical Lab – Lower Limbs
2:30 – 3:30 Treatment Strategies and Techniques for Upper Limbs
3:30 – 3:45 Break
3:45 – 5:00 Treatment Strategies and Techniques for Trunk
5:00 – 6:00 Treatment Strategies and Techniques for Lower Limbs

Day 3

Advanced techniques, case reviews, and proficiency exam

08:00 – 8:10 Recap of Day 2, Introduction to Day 3 Objectives
8:10 – 9:00 In-depth Study of Fascial Physiology
9:00 – 10:00 Advanced Techniques for Myofascial Treatment
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:30 Practical Lab – Advanced Myofascial Techniques
11:30 – 12:30 Comprehensive Review of Centers of Coordination
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:30 Case Reviews and Interactive Discussion
2:30 – 3:30 Proficiency Exam Preparation
3:30 – 3:45 Break
3:45 – 4:45 Proficiency Exam – Centers of Coordination
4:45 – 5:30 Review of Exam Results and Feedback
5:30 – 6:00 Final Thoughts, Q&A, Review of Post-Course Procedures

Each level is designed to give participants adequate time (4-6 weeks) to practice the newly acquired assessment and treatment techniques before returning to the second half of the course for fine-tuning of the method. Each level will conclude with an examination to appraise the level of understanding and skill level.

You are viewing FM Level 1 from Fascial Manipulation® Program Series. Use the links below to explore the rest of the levels.

Why Choose Fascial Manipulation®?

  • Holistic Approach: Understand the interconnectedness of the body and treat the true source of pain.
  • Advanced Techniques: Master deep tissue manipulation and focused fascial assessment.
  • Clinical Excellence: Enhance your diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.

Learning Objectives of the FM Level 1

At the conclusion of the course, the participant should be able to:

  • List the types of human fascia and understand the role of fascia in nociceptive pain. (Knowledge)
  • Differentiate between ascending and descending type of disorders and assess the proper body segments. (Analysis)
  • Develop effective treatment for myofascial pain syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders. (Synthesis)
  • Evaluate the quality of the deep fascia through palpatory verification and treat appropriate points (Centers of Coordination) restoring the tissue gliding. (Evaluation)

Materials Provided

  • Course manual and the textbook “Fascial Manipulation, Practical Part, First Level 2018, Second Edition” by Luigi Stecco and Antonio Stecco.
  • Access to online videos and additional learning resources.

Certification

  • Upon completion of FM-1a and FM-1b, participants will receive a certificate demonstrating their proficiency in Fascial Manipulation®.

Course Location

All courses are held in Astoria, NY: 32-44 31st St., Astoria, NY 11106.

Course Duration

All courses’ days will begin at 8:00 am and finish around 6:00 pm est. Each level will conclude with an examination to appraise the level of understanding and skill level.

Instructors

Dr. Antonio Stecco

Dr. Stecco is a graduate in Medicine and Surgery, and specialized in Physics Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Padua, Italy. His areas of prevalent scientific and clinical interest are anatomy of the fascia corporis via dissections and histological studies, including immunohistochemical and molecular biology; study and clinical application of hyaluronic acid; and myofascial syndrome. Following the techniques developed by his father, Luigi Stecco, PT, Dr. Stecco co-authored with his sister, Carla Stecco, MD Fascial Manipulation for Musculoskeletal Pain (Piccin, 2004). He is the author of more than twelve articles published in international journals. Dr. Stecco was recently elected Assistant-President in the Cabinet of the International Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is also the author of 20 articles in journals, all relating to the category of disciplinary scientific sector MED/34, presentation at international conferences, including one Best Poster Award and three chapters in English text.

Dr. Stephen F. Oswald

Dr. Oswald: I began my career in an antique bookshop on the edge of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. I had come under the tutelage of a remarkable man who was a master with his hands and with his herbs and with his words. At some point during this period, a young chiropractic physician from America appeared on the scene. He deeply impressed my teacher in a treatment session and after a time, my teacher sent me off to my homeland to “…learn everything that young man knows”. Thus followed almost six years of intensive post-graduate work, including frequent encounters with the man from Istanbul to add to the mix. I established my first practice in New York City in 1986 then quickly added a second in Chestnut Ridge, NY, across the way from the first Rudolf Steiner Waldorf School in the United States. I then opened a small free clinic in Istanbul that gave me an excuse to be with my original teacher and, eventually, his successors. Over the decades of treating patients, I have encountered many interesting, difficult and complex clinical cases and in recent years I’ve learned (and I teach) an interesting, difficult and complex soft tissue technique called Fascial Manipulation. Because of Fascial Manipulation’s strong science base (go to PubMed then type “Stecco” into the search bar) and because of the ability of this technique to help solve these complex cases, it makes for an ideal complement to the chiropractic (very gentle) adjustment, be it a back, extremity or organic problem. I have treated so many interesting patients throughout my years including World Cup, Junior Olympic and Olympic athletes, professional dancers (post modern and ballet), musicians, actors and directors (three who won an Academy Award in the same year while they were my patients—a nice coincidence to be sure), an entire collection of medical doctors, many as heads of departments in NYC’s major hospitals and one as a long-term president of same (let it be noted that they chose the chiropractic physician over surgery). But most of my patients are just regular people like you and me; some are complex cases, some are not. Though my main work is clinical, I am now teaching nationally and internationally. My domestic teaching includes multiple stints with the full training staff of the Arizona Diamondbacks, (Major League Baseball team) and right here in NYC. Internationally, I teach in China (Shanghai), South Korea (Seoul), and Bahrain, to name a few.

Available Offerings

Fascial Manipulation® Level 1 – March 12-14, 2027

$1,299.00

This page is to begin enrollment in the Fascial Manipulation® Program (Level 1 only).

  • March 12-14, 2027
  • Instructor: Dr. Stephen F. Oswald
  • Astoria, NY: 32-44 31st St, Astoria, NY 11106
  • Appropriate for MDs, DCS, PTS, ATHLETIC TRAINERS and students who have completed 3rd years of college completing such courses as anatomy, physiology and biomechanics
  • Live (w/online study)

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