Treating Complex Multilayered Cases, Part 2 In the October 2009 issue of Acupuncture Today, I wrote on how to use pulse diagnosis to distinguish patterns as excess, deficiency or complex excess with deficiency. I ended that article by saying that most complex layered cases that enter the clinic will show excess/deficiency patterns affecting the liver, stomach and spleen. Our job, as herbalists, is to evaluate the various stagnation and deficiency patterns and to apply the appropriate herbal formula.
Janine Ray, RMT, MTI, is Austin-based instructor and will be offering an "Introduction to Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy" at this year's TAMT convention. Pfrimmer Therapy was developed by Thérèse C. Pfrimmer, a physiotherapist who reversed her own paralysis in the 1940's. Janine currently teaches the Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy curriculum at the Health Professions Institute at Austin Community College. She has owned North Austin Massage Therapy, a multiple-therapist clinic specializing in the correction and prevention of serious muscle conditions, since 1984. Janine is currently the Central Texas Regional Director of the Texas Association of Massage Therapists, and represents small clinic owners on the Texas Legislative Coalition.
"Legislative Awareness" is the theme of the Texas Association of Massage Therapists (TAMT) 5th Annual Convention, slated for Feb. 18-19, 2005, in Austin, TX.
The convention's location in the historic state capital, a.k.a. the "Live Music Capital of the World," assures an abundance of weekend activities for participants. Judging from the early bird registrations, this year's attendance is expected to exceed the turnout at the 2004 event.
Nationally known speakers are scheduled to highlight the continuing education program. These include:
International presenter and writer David Kent, LMT, CNMT. As this year's keynote speaker, David is a high-energy instructor who knows how to make learning fun. He is an expert at taking complicated concepts and presenting them in an easy-to-learn format. David will be teaching classes on "Head and Neck Headaches: Types, Triggers" and "ABC's of Meeting with Physicians." David is best known for his pioneering work developing human dissection seminars for the massage therapy profession, which he teaches throughout the country. He also teaches neuromuscular therapy seminars extensively throughout the world, and brings a unique perspective to neuromuscular therapy by integrating a vast knowledge of anatomy into his classes from years of dissection studies at the University of South Florida, College of Medicine.
Author and former Massage Therapy Journal editor, David Lauterstein, RMT, Cert. ZB. David has been a massage and bodywork practitioner since 1977. He is the codirector and cofounder of the Lauterstein-Conway Massage School in Austin, Texas. Mr. Lauterstein is the author of Putting the Soul Back in the Body; the monographs, What is Zero Balancing? and The Seven Dimensions of Touch; and numerous articles on the philosophy and practice of bodywork. He is certified in massage therapy from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and structural bodywork through rolfer Daniel Blake. Mr. Lauterstein has presented workshops for therapists and teachers throughout the U.S. and in England since 1982. As a teacher of Zero Balancing, David will be presenting "An Introduction to Zero Balancing."
Lynda Solien-Wolfe, LMT, NCTMB, will be presenting a class in "Marketing: Kick Start Your Business." Lynda is a licensed massage therapist in Florida and is nationally certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork. She owns a massage therapy and consulting practice in Merritt Island, Fla., and has served on the executive boards of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FMSTA) and the Florida Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA-FL). Lynda also is the past-chair of the NCBTMB communications committee. She currently serves on the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and is the public relations director for Golden Ratio Woodworks.
Michael Critz, a Texas State continuing education provider from Dallas, TX, will be offering a class in Critz Release Technique, "A Non-surgical Alternative for Chronic Pain." This protocol is his own integration of strictly nonabrasive soft-tissue releases designed to restore balance to the musculoskeletal system naturally utilizing Classic Muscle Energy Technique, positional release, cross-fiber friction and myofascial massage in a particular sequence to achieve zero-pain. His classes are offered in multiple locations throughout Texas and Arkansas.
Rosario Perez Garza, BA, is the director of and instructor for the European Massage Therapy Institute of San Antonio, also known as the European Esthetics Institute Inc. She has been in the practice of esthetics and massage therapy since 1985. In its most recent expansion, the institute relocated its operation across from the University of Texas Health Science Medical Complex. Rosario has effectively combined a medical model of massage therapy with the art of esthetics in an effort to attract the attention of physicians to the full benefits of massage therapy for their patients. She will be teaching a day long hands-on seminar with a certification in "Spa Therapies without Sophisticated Equipment."
Participants from all over the U.S. are encouraged to join us for this excellent continuing education opportunity!
Along with the expected 12 hours of continuing education credits included in the registration for the weekend, a celebratory banquet filled with surprises will be held on Friday evening. Taking the weekend theme into consideration, updates on the Texas Legislative Coalition's recent progress will be just one of the highlighted topics at the banquet. As always, we will be blessed by an array of vendors from around the country who will dazzle us with their wares!
This quote about last year's convention by Houston therapist R.E. Weinkauf, CMT, RMT, MTI, gives us insight into why we gather each year: "There is a sense of comfort sharing with your peers in an environment where all of the focus is on healing touch. A lot of sharing takes place in the trade show area, not just with other therapists, but also with the vendors themselves. They bring a wide range of products and often have information that is educational. The breaks feel as if they do not last long enough, but then you are always excited about getting to the next class. The convention is a wonderful mix of education, information, and camaraderie. It provides wonderful, full-bodied tastes of all our profession has to offer."
Pre-registration ends January 19, 2005. TAMT members' 2-day fee is $150 (Saturday only is $125). Non-member fee is $250 for both days, nd $200 for Saturday only. An excellent tradeshow is scheduled. Please contact the association office for more information at 800-809-9970 or by e-mail at
. Registration forms are available on line at www.texasmassagetherapists.com.
Janine Ray, RMT, MTI, is Austin-based instructor and will be offering an "Introduction to Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy" at this year's TAMT convention. Pfrimmer Therapy was developed by Thérèse C. Pfrimmer, a physiotherapist who reversed her own paralysis in the 1940's. Janine currently teaches the Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy curriculum at the Health Professions Institute at Austin Community College. She has owned North Austin Massage Therapy, a multiple-therapist clinic specializing in the correction and prevention of serious muscle conditions, since 1984. Janine is currently the Central Texas Regional Director of the Texas Association of Massage Therapists, and represents small clinic owners on the Texas Legislative Coalition.
. Registration forms are available on line at 
