If you ski, sooner or later you are going to have a knee injury. When you do, you will be probably be told that surgery is the only alternative. Yet many knee surgeries are less than satisfactory and can actually make things worse. For example, the common practice of scraping away the lining of the knee joints, the meniscus, can sometimes result in too much play within the knee, leading to a degenerative condition in which the knee becomes increasingly unstable and requires further surgery.

Two years ago, I was launching off cornices and skiing extreme terrain with total confidence. My ski buddies included World Cup racers and many of the stars of the extreme world. Then, towards the end of the season, I was hit by another skier, who fled the scene, leaving me with two blown out knees. I was told by doctors that once the swelling was gone, I would require knee surgery in one and possibly both knees.

My first action was to book an appointment with Taum Sayers, a therapist that works with world class skiers and members of the 49's football team. Taum treated me with something called "The Berry Method®," which I would describe as chiropractic manipulation for muscles. Taum pushed and pulled muscles and ligaments in my knees, manipulating them into position, much the way a chiropractor manipulates bones. The results were dramatic and I soon could walk without crutches on. my injured knees.

About two weeks later, I met with Dr. Dean Stites, an orthopedic surgeon, for evaluation. Dr. Stites told me that he was surprised by the improvement and wasn't sure that surgery was still required. His recommendation was that I hold off on surgery and see how I did.

Intention and Imagination.

"Repositioning"

   Corrective Massage recognizes that muscles, tendons, ligaments, and viscera have optimum anatomical positions, functions, relationships, and movement patterns.

   Correcting soft tissue misplacement and distortion is at the core of this amazing work.

   Sometimes it's as simple as putting things back where they belong.

A useful image is one of pushing or nudging dried strings of glue across glass with your fingertips.

Consider that the attachment points of the tendon represent a concentration of force in one small area (the entire force of the muscle focuses tension on the bone through the tendon at its attachment). Because of this, the tension/force (pounds per square inch) at the attachment point is higher than at any point in the body of the muscle itself. There are pain receptors at the bone surface (periosteum), which in turn can make the insertion point very sensitive. It is thus helpful to expect these points to be tender and adjust your pressure accordingly. Consider that you are not so much repositioning the fibers to an exact position as much as you are introducing movement towards a balanced situation, thus reducing adhesions and removing distortion. The muscle tissue, upon having the 'duct tape' removed, will most often be able to nestle back to its optimal location. Note that one indication of a misplaced and distorted muscle is when the fibers tactilely 'stand out' with that all too familiar stringy/ropey feeling. Additionally, when muscle fibers are in their most functional position, they usually blend back in with the surrounding fibers and 'tactily disappear'.

   The attachment points can serve as an important reference, so after addressing the surrounding regional tensions and distortions within the belly of the tender muscle, you can often return to a previously tender attachment to find it has relaxed. This can also serve to instill confidence in your client that there are benefits to the process.

   By applying these techniques, you will have tapped some of the innate intelligence of the body, intentionally encouraging the muscle fiber to release chronic tension by overriding its protective state of contraction via the GTO, thus "reprogramming" it via the nervous system to relax. You will also have encouraged the muscle out of a distorted position and back towards a situation where it has a better opportunity to relax and repair.
   

   This is an excerpt from Taum's article published in the July 2002 issue of Massage Magazine on Mid-Back Tension.*

Click here for the full article: "Intention and Imagination"

In retrospect, a more accurate title might have been

"Defending the Rhomboids."

Taum began his 40+ year journey within Corrective Massage shortly after moving to Squaw Valley in 1976. The foundation of his work began in 1979 with his apprenticeship with Lauren Berry, RPT and Structural Engineer. This path has seen him invited to work with the US Ski team, the SF 49ers, professional runners, and cyclists.

For any and all ages, the focus is returning to pain-free living.

Taum's approach recognizes that the body is innately programmed to self-heal naturally when soft tissue relationships are balanced. His goal is to reduce the imbalances that interfere with that uniquely amazing ability.
LEARN MORE

Dynamic tactile learning is often called hands-on and describes my teaching format. This approach has proven successful across a broad spectrum, especially in learning corrective massage.

 Benefits of Dynamic Tactile Learning:

1. Engages Multiple Senses:
   - Tactile learning complements visual and auditory information by adding the sense of touch. This multi-sensory approach enhances memory retention and deepens understanding, especially in learners who benefit from kinesthetic experiences.

2. Improves Problem-Solving Skills:
   - Physically manipulating objects encourages active problem-solving. Students can test hypotheses in real-time, adjust their actions, and see immediate results. This trial-and-error process helps with logical thinking and conceptual understanding.

3. Supports Various Learning Styles:
   - Not all learners excel through visual (reading) or audio (listening) alone. Tactile learning offers an alternative for kinesthetic learners who need movement and touch to fully grasp concepts.

4. Increases Engagement and Motivation:
   - Learning through touch can be fun and stimulating, which increases student engagement. It breaks the monotony of traditional learning methods like lectures or reading and offers an active, immersive learning experience.

5. Enhances Memory Retention:
   - Studies show that physically interacting with learning materials can lead to better retention of information. The act of touching, building, or manipulating objects creates a stronger neural connection to the concepts being learned.

6. Develops Fine Motor Skills:
   - In early childhood education, tactile activities help develop fine motor skills. By handling objects, children improve hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and control, which are essential for tasks like writing or using tools.

 Examples of Tactile Learning Activities:

- Elementary Education: Building with blocks to learn geometry or create representations of ecosystems.
- Science Labs: Hands-on dissections, circuit-building, or growing plants to understand biology or physics.
- Art Projects: Sculpting with clay or painting to explore texture and form.
- Interactive History Lessons: Handling historical artifacts or reenacting events.
- Sensory Play: Using textured materials like sand, water, or fabrics for learning in early childhood education.

Overall, 'Dynamic Tactile Learning' is a rich and effective educational strategy, especially when tailored to the needs of individual learners and the subject matter. It engages multiple senses, and fosters active, experiential learning.