Scientific Committee

Geoffrey Bove, DC, PhD, is a graduate of Hampshire College, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is an Associate Professor at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Biddeford, Maine. His research interests are focused on peripheral mechanisms of pain and autonomic balance, specifically due to nerve inflammation, with an eye towards mechanisms of manual therapy. He has published numerous manuscripts in such venues as Journal of Physiology, JAMA, Journal of Neurophysiology, Experimental Biology, and Neurobiology. Dr. Bove's research has been continually funded since 1992, primarily by the National Institutes of Health. He serves on various grant and manuscript review panels, and presents his data to groups from many disciplines worldwide.

List of Publications:

1. Bove, GM. Focal nerve inflammation induces neuronal signs consistent with symptoms of early complex regional pain syndromes. Experimental Neurology 2009, 219:223-227.
2. Bove GM, Weissner W, Barbe MF. Long lasting recruitment of immune cells and altered epi-perineurial thickness in focal nerve inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant, J. Neuroimmunology. 2009, 213: 26-30.
3. Bove GM. Epi-perineurial anatomy, innervation, and axonal nociceptive mechanisms. J Bodywork Movement Ther 12 (3): 185-190, 2008
4. Dilley A, Bove GM. Resolution of inflammation induced axonal mechanical sensitivity and conduction slowing in C-fiber nociceptors. Journal of Pain, 9, 185-192, 2008
5. Dilley A, Bove GM. Disruption of axoplasmic transport induces mechanical sensitivity in intact C-fibre nociceptor axons. Journal of Physiology, 586, 593-604, 2008
6. Bove, GM. Peripheral Nerve Biology and Concepts of Nerve Pathophysiology. In Haldeman S, ed. Principles and Practice of Chiropractic 3rd ed. New York: McGraw Hill. p 289-299, 2004
7. Bove GM, Lin H-C, Ransil BJ, Leem J-G. Inflammation induces ectopic mechanical sensitivity in axons of nociceptors innervating deep tissues. Journal of Neurophysiology, 90 1949-1955, 2003
8. Bove GM, Light AR. The nervi nervorum: missing link for neuropathic pain? Pain Forum 6:181-190, 1997
9. Bove GM, Light AR. Calcitonin gene-related peptide and peripherin immuno-reactivity in nerve sheaths. Somatosensory and Motor Research 12:49-57, 1995
10. Bove GM, Light AR. Unmyelinated nociceptors of rat paraspinal tissues. Journal of Neurophysiology 73:1752-1762, 1994

Leon Chaitow ND, DO, graduated British College of Osteopathic Medicine 1960. Postgraduate studies in acupuncture, cranial osteopathy and orthomolecular nutrition during the 1960s and 1970s. Senior lecturer and module leader, and part of course design team, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster in 1993. Since 1983 visiting lecturer at numerous chiropractic, physiotherapy, osteopathic and naturopathic colleges, schools and organizations in Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. Author/editor of over 70 books, including textbooks covering manual methods of treatment, breathing rehabilitation and chronic pain conditions. Currently completing coediting/coauthoring Fascia in Manual Therapy - The tensional network of the human body (with Findley, Huijing & Schleip) and Practical Physical Medicine Approaches to Chronic Pelvic Pain (with Lovegrove), both for Elsevier. Both are due for publication in 2011, as is 2nd edition Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques (with DeLany). Founder/Editor-in-Chief of MedLine Indexed Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (Elsevier). Retired from the University of Westminster in 2004, after 11 years as Senior Lecturer/module leader in Therapeutic Bodywork and Naturopathy. Awarded Honorary Fellowship in November 2005, in recognition of "services to Complementary and Osteopathic medicine". Currently on Scientific Committee of 7th International Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain (Los Angeles November 2010). Is active in private and NHS practice when in the UK (approximately half the year) and continues to teach internationally.

Some Related Publications:

1. Chaitow L Rogoff T 2010 Mozgala G et al Modifying the effects of cerebral palsy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 14(2):108-118
2. Chaitow L. 2009 Ligaments and positional release techniques? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 13(2):115-116
3. Chaitow L. Chronic pelvic pain: Pelvic floor problems, sacroiliac dysfunction and the trigger point connection. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2007 11(4) 327–339
4. Chaitow L. 2004 Breathing Pattern Disorders (BPD), motor control, and Low Back Pain. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 7(1):33-40.
5. Chaitow L. DeLany J. 2003 Neuromuscular Techniques in Orthopaedics. Techniques in Orthopaedics. 18(1):74-86.

Brian Degenhardt, D.O. is the Director of the A.T. Still Research Institute located on the campus of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO, USA. He is also the Assistant Vice-President for Osteopathic Research at A.T. Still University. Over the past 20 years, he has participated in a wide array of research within the osteopathic profession primarily involving manual medicine. Areas of research includes otitis media, infant feeding disorders, osteoarthritis, student wellness programming, pneumonia in the elderly, COPD, serum biomarker and immune response changes secondary to Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. His current areas of research include studying the functional characteristics that differentiate patients with chronic low back from chronic sacroiliac joint pain, establishing a practice-based research network to evaluate the current utilization of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and its outcomes, changes in gene expressions resulting from OMT, and objectifying palpation and improving interexaminer reliability through the development of instrumentation and models for improved feedback In training programs. He also maintains a private practice within Rocky Mountain Integrative Medicine in Ridgway, CO.

Publications:

1. Snider KS, Johnson JC, Degenhardt BF, Snider EJ. Low Back Pain, Somatic Dysfuntion, and Segmental Bone Mineral Density T-Score Variation in the Lumbar Spine. JAOA. In Press
2. Degenhardt BF, Johnson JC, Snider KT, Snider EJ. Maintaining and Improving the Reliability of Osteopathic Palpatory Tests over 4 Months. JAOA, In press.
3. Degenhardt BF, Stoll S. Research Priorities in Osteopathic Medicine, Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Ed. Chila A. 3rd Ed. Lippincott, 2010. In press
4. Simmonds MJ, Smeets RJ, Degenhardt B. Pain, Mind, and Movement: Towards a Sophisticated Understanding and a Tailored Clinical Approach. Clin J Pain. 2010 Jul 20.
5. Noll D, Degenhardt B, Morley T, Blais F, Hortos K, Hensel K, Johnson J, Pasta D, Stoll S. Efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulation as an Adjunctive Treatment for Hospitalized Patients with Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Osteopathic Medicine and Primary Care, 4:2, 2010. PMCID:PMC2848182
6. Stoll ST, McCormick J, Degenhardt BF, Hahn MB. The National Osteopathic Research Center at the University of North Texas Health Science Center: Inception, Growth, and Future. Academic Medicine, 84(6):737-743, 2009.
7. Degenhardt BF. New Horizons for Research and Education in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. JAOA, 109(2):76-8, 2009.
8. Snider KT, Johnson JC, Snider EJ, Degenhardt BF. Increased incidence and severity of somatic dysfunction in chronic low back pain JAOA, 108(9):493-502, 2008.
9. Halma KD, Degenhardt BF, Snider KT, Johnson JC, Flaim MS, Bradshaw D: Intraobserver Reliability of Cranial Strain Patterns as Evaluated by Osteopathic Physicians: A Pilot Study. JAOA, 108(9):493-502, 2008.
10. Noll DR, Degenhardt BF, Fossum C, Hensel K: Clinical and Research Protocol for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Elderly Patients With Pneumonia. JAOA, 108(9):508-516, 2008.
11. Noll DR, Degenhardt BF, Johnson JC, Burt SA. Immediate Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. JAOA, 108(5):251-9, 2008.
12. Snider KT, Kribs JW, Snider EJ, Degenhardt BF, Bukowski A, Johnson JC. Reliability of Tuffier’s Line as an Anatomic Landmark. Spine, 33(6):E161-5, 2008.
13. Smith CK, Peterson DF, Degenhardt BF, Johnson JC. Depression, Anxiety, and Perceived Hassles Among Entering Medical Students. Psychol Health Med, 12(1): 31-9, 2007.
14. Degenhardt BF, Darmani NA, Johnson JC, Towns LC, Rhodes DCJ, Trinh C, McClanahan B, DiMarzo V. Role of osteopathic manipulative treatment in altering pain biomarkers: a pilot study. JAOA, 107(9):387-400, 2007.
15. Degenhardt, BF, Smith CM: Low Back Pain Exercises. In Integrative Medicine, Second Ed, Rakel D, Ed: Saunders, Philadelphia © 2007.
16. Halma KD, Snider KT, Johnson JC, Flaim MS, Bradshaw D, Degenhardt BF. Determining the Intra-observer Reliability of the Evaluation of Cranial Strain Patterns. JAOA, 106(8):471, 2006.
17. Degenhardt BF, Kuchera ML. Osteopathic Evaluation and Manipulative Treatment in Reducing the Morbidity of Otitis Media: A Pilot Study. JAOA, 106(6):327-34, 2006.
18. Degenhardt BF, Snider KT, Snider EJ, Johnson JC. Interobserver Reliability of Osteopathic Palpatory Diagnostic Tests of the Lumbar Spine: Improvements from Consensus Training. JAOA, 105(10):465-73, 2005.
19. Darmani NA, Izzo AA, Degenhardt BF, Valenti M, Scaglione G, Cappasso R, Sorrentini I, Di Marzo V. Involvement of the Cannabimimetic Compound, N-Palmitoyl-Ethanolamine, in Inflammatory and Neuropathic Conditions: Review of the Available Pre-Clinical Data, and First Human Studies. Neuropharmacology, 48(8):1154-1163, 2005.
20. Noll DR, Degenhardt BF, Stuart MK, Werden S, McGovern RJ, Johnson JC. The Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Immune Reponse to the Influenza Vaccine in Nursing Home Residents: A Pilot Study. Altern Ther Health Med, 10(4):74-6, 2004.
21. Noll DR, Degenhardt BF, Stuart MK, McGovern RJ, Matteson M. Effectiveness of a Sham Protocol and Adverse Effects in a Clinical Trial of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Nursing Home Patients. JAOA, 104(3):107-13, 2004.
22. Mills MV, Henley CE, Barnes LL, Carreiro JE, Degenhardt BF. The Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as Adjuvant Therapy in Children with Recurrent Acute Otitis Media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 157(9):861-6, 2003.
23. Peterson DF, Degenhardt BF, Smith CM. Correlation between Prior Exercise and Present Health and Fitness Status of Entering Medical Students. JAOA, 103(8):361-3, 2003.
24. Degenhardt, BF: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Optimizing Patient-Focused Health Care. The Advisor, December 2000/Vol. 21, No. 1.
    Lockwood MD, Degenhardt BF. Cycle-to-Cycle Variability Attributed to the Primary Respiratory Mechanism. JAOA, 98(1):35-43, 1998.
25. Degenhardt BF, Kuchera ML. Update on Osteopathic Medical Concepts and the Lymphatic System. JAOA, 96(2):97-100, 1996.

Thomas Findley, MD, PhD completed his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota in 1981 under the guidance of FJ Kottke, MD PhD, one of the founders of that field. While there he also completed his PhD in physical medicine, and received state of the art training in physical therapy, exercise physiology, psychology, and anthropology. Dr. Findley has extensive training in complementary medicine, beginning with training in acupuncture and homeopathy while a medical student at Georgetown in 1975. He is an active clinician (Certified Advanced Rolfer™) as well as a researcher at the VA Medical Center East Orange NJ which is a member of the Planetree Network of hospitals incorporating integrative medicine. He is the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Northup Award from the American Osteopathic Association for his paper Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Deformation of Human Fasciae in Manual Therapy and is Professor of Physical Medicine and rehabilitation at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School. He is also Founder and CEO, Ida P Rolf Research Foundation and the executive director of the fascia research congress.

Some Related Publications (from 90):

1. * Chaudhry, H Ji Z, Shenoy N, Findley T Viscoelastic Stresses on Anisotropic Annulus Fibrosus of Lumbar Disk under Compression, Rotation and Flexion in Manual Treatment. J Bodywork and Manual Therapies, 13(2): 182-191, 2009
2. * James H, Castaneda L, Miller ME, Findley T. Rolfing structural integration treatment of cervical spine dysfunction. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13:229-238, 2009
3. * Huijing, PA, Hollander P, Findley TW, Schleip, R (eds) Fascia Research II: Basic Science and Implications for Conventional and Complementary Health Care Munchen: Elsevier Urban & Fischer, 2009
4. * Hans Chaudhry, PhD; Robert Schleip, MA; Zhiming Ji, PhD; Bruce Bukiet, PhD; Miriam Maney, MS; Thomas Findley, MD, PhD. Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Deformation of Human Fasciae in Manual Therapy. JAOA: Vol 108, No 8, August 2008, 379-390.
5. * Chaudhry, H Bukiet B, Findley T Mathematical Analysis of Applied Loads on Skeletal Muscles in Osteopathic Manual Treatment J Am Osteopathic Assoc 108(12):680-8, 2008 Dec
6. * Chaudhry H, Findley T, Huang Z, Ji, R, Scheip R, Bukiet B, Maney M Three-dimensional mathematical models for the deformation of human fascia J Bodywork and Manual Therapies 12(3):265, 2008
7. * Findley T, Schleip R (eds.). Fascia Research - Basic science and implications for conventional and complementary health care. Elsevier, Munich 2007.
8. * Chaudhry H, Huang C, Schleip R, Ji Z, Bukiet B, Findley T. Viscoelastic Behavior of Human Fasciae Under Extension in Manual Therapy. J. Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 11(2): 159-167, 2007.

Publications:

1. Coming soon

Research interests: Physiology and pathophysiology of movement control mechanisms. Integration of neuroscience and biomechanics to investigate the nervous system control of joint stability and movement. Key areas include investigation of: effect of conflicting task demands control on spinal control, biomechanical effect of contraction of the intrinsic spinal muscles on stability of the spine, the effect of pain on motor control and possible mechanisms, mechanism of efficacy of therapeutic exercise. Teaching interests: application of motor control and motor learning to musculoskeletal physiotherapy, research methods and design, electromyography, respiratory muscle physiology, principles of therapeutic exercise for management of spinal pain.

Publications:

1. Mannion, A. F., N. Pulkovski, P. Schenk, P.W. Hodges, H. Gerber, T. Loupas, M. Gorelick, and H. Sprott, 2008, A new method for the noninvasive determination of abdominal muscle feedforward activity based on tissue velocity information from tissue Doppler imaging: J Applied Physiology, v. 104, no. 4, p. 1192-1201.
2. Greig, A. M., K. L. Bennell, A. M. Briggs, and P. W. Hodges, 2008, Postural taping decreases thoracic kyphosis but does not influence trunk muscle electromyographic activity or balance in women with osteoporosis: Manual Therapy, v. 13, no. 3, p. 249-257.
3. O'Leary, S., D. Falla, P. W. Hodges, G. Jull, and B. Vicenzino, 2007, Specific therapeutic exercise of the neck induces immediate local hypoalgesia: Journal of Pain, v. 8, no. 11, p. 832-839.
4. Whittaker, J. L., J. A. Thompson, D. S. Teyhen, and P. Hodges, 2007, Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging of pelvic floor muscle function: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, v. 37, no. 8, p. 487-498.
5. Ferreira, M. L., P. H. Ferreira, and P. W. Hodges, 2007, Changes in postural activity of the trunk muscles following spinal manipulative therapy: Manual Therapy, v. 12, no. 3, p. 240-248.
6. Falla, D., G. Jull, T. Russell, B. Vicenzino, and P. Hodges, 2007, Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain: Physical Therapy, v. 87, no. 4, p. 408-417.

Dr. Peter Huijing, a physiologist and keynote presenter from the first fascia conference, is the recipient of the prestigious Muybridge Award for his work on fascial connections and force transmission within muscle tissue and between muscles.

Publications:

1. Huijing PA, Baan GC. Myofascial Force Transmission via Extramuscular Pathways Occurs between Antagonistic Muscles. Cells Tissues Organs. 2008 Mar 19
2. Huijing PA. Epimuscular myofascial force transmission between antagonistic and synergistic muscles can explain movement limitation in spastic paresis.J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2007 Dec;17(6):708-24
3. Meijer HJ, Baan GC, Huijing PA. Myofascial force transmission is increasingly important at lower forces: firing frequency-related length-force characteristics of rat extensor digitorum longus. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2006 Mar;186(3):185-95
4. Yücesoy CA. Maas H. Koopman BH. Grootenboer HJ. Huijing PA. Mechanisms causing effects of muscle position on proximo-distal muscle force differences in extra-muscular myofascial force transmission. Medical Engineering & Physics. 28(3):214-26, 2006.
5. Huijing PA, Jaspers RT. Adaptation of muscle size and myofascial force transmission: a review and some new experimental results. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2005 Dec;15(6):349-80
6. Smeulders MJ. Kreulen M. Hage JJ. Huijing PA. van der Horst CM. Spastic muscle properties are affected by length changes of adjacent structures. Muscle & Nerve. 32(2):208-15, 2005.
7. Huijing PA. Muscular force transmission necessitates a multilevel integrative approach to the analysis of function of skeletal muscle. Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews. 31(4):167-75, 2003.

Janet Kahn, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium; research assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont; and faculty preceptor in the Fellowship in Complementary and Alternative and General Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Past academic appointments were at Tufts University (Community Health Program) and the Wellesley Center for Research on Women.

Dr. Kahn is a medical sociologist with an interest in the organizational issues of equitable health care delivery and the role of federal, state and local policies on individual health-related choices. For over 30 years she has been a massage therapist treating people with chronic pain and exploring the contributions of touch, movement, and mindfulness to human wellbeing. Current research focuses on applications of massage for chronic pain and on use of mindfulness and touch in community-based health care delivery, including a current grant (with Collinge and Associates) from NIMH working with veterans and their significant others.

Kahn currently serves on NIH’s National Advisory Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2010-2013) where she also served from 1999 to 2003. She was a reviewer on the 2005 IOM report Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States and a presenter at the 2009 IOM Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Public Health. She served as the president of both the American Massage Therapy Association Foundation and of Peace Village Projects, a non-profit organization through which she has provided training in the West Bank towns of Nablus and Bethlehem on bodywork modalities demonstrated to be effective in helping children recover from war-related trauma

Dr. Kahn received her training at Antioch College (BA Psychology), Harvard Graduate School of Education (EdM), Brandeis University (PhD Sociology), the Potomac Massage Training Institute, and TAI Sophia Institute.

Publications:

1. Cherkin DC, Sherman KJ, Kahn J, Wellman R, Cook AJ, Johnson E, Erro JH, Delaney K, Deyo RA. Effects of Two Types of Massage on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Submitted to Annals of Internal Medicine July 28, 2010.
2. Kahn JR. Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Overview of the Practice and Evidence of a Developing Health Profession. In King, Patterson and Jänig (Eds.) The Science and Clinical Application of Manual Therapy, Elsevier 2010.
3. Kahn JR. Therapeutic Massage: Rehabilitation for the individual and the culture. In Davis CM (Ed.) Complementary Therapies in Rehabilitation, 3nd Edition, SLACK Inc., 2008.
4. Madore A. and Kahn JR. Therapeutic Massage in Integrated Pain Management. In Audette J and Bailey A (Eds.) Integrative Pain Medicine: The Science and Practice of Complementary and Alterative Medicine in Pain Management. Humana Press, 2008

The Director of OMM Research, Professor Michael L. Kuchera, DO, was recruited to PCOM in 2002 after over two decades of teaching, research, and clinical service. Dr. Kuchera graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) where he later served as chairperson of OMM, OMM Residency Director, Vice President for International Osteopathic Research & Education, and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean.
Currently Dr. Kuchera directs the OMM Research and Human Performance & Biomechanics Laboratory, mentoring PCOM and masters students. He is also the Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging. He has been funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) studying the effects of progressive maximal effort exercise for multiple sclerosis subjects and by the Philadelphia Health Care Foundation to investigate biomechanical approaches, including OMT, in improving function and the quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Kuchera is also comparing conservative care with and without OMT to tissue healing rates in ankle sprains exposed to low-intensity laser. He served as lead principal investigator in a five-state collaborative project with Veteran's Administration Medical Centers. In 2002, the AOA Council of Research honored Dr. Kuchera with their highest honor for a career of research and research mentorship, the Gutenshohn-Denslow Award.
Dr. Kuchera earned an international reputation. He also co-authored a nationally recognized museum exhibit, The Healer Within, which has toured the country and the Smithsonian Institute. A past president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO), Dr. Kuchera represents the United States in the International Federation of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine, where he is serves as Secretary General. He has been invited to lecture numerous times in Europe, Japan, and Australia and is a founding member of the AOA's Bureau on International Osteopathic Medical Education & Affairs (BIOMEA). In addition to co-editing and writing numerous articles and chapters in the Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine text, Dr. Kuchera coauthored Osteopathic Considerations in Systemic Dysfunction with his father as well as two other textbooks.
A long-time student advocate, Dr. Kuchera was unanimously granted life membership to National SOMA, served as the National UAAO faculty sponsor, and is faculty sponsor for both SOMA on the PCOM campus as well as the SeekHealth organization at PCOM.

Related Publications:

1. Applying osteopathic principles to formulate treatment for patients with chronic pain. Kuchera ML. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2007 Nov;107(10 Suppl 6):ES28-38. Review.
2. Osteopathic evaluation and manipulative treatment in reducing the morbidity of otitis media: a pilot study. Degenhardt BF, Kuchera ML. Am Osteopath Assoc. 2006 Jun;106(6):327-34.
3. Osteopathic manipulative medicine considerations in patients with chronic pain. Kuchera ML. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2005 Sep;105(9 Suppl 4):S29-36. Review.
4. Hysteresis as a measure of ankle dysfunction. Cohen AM, Mertz J, Stewart P, Warner MJ, Kuchera ML. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2005 Jan;105(1):22.
5. Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment and concentric and eccentric maximal-effort exercise on women with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. Yates HA, Vardy TC, Kuchera ML, Ripley BD, Johnson JC. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2002 May;102(5):267-75.

Dr. Helene M. Langevin received an MD degree from McGill University, followed by a post doctoral research fellowship at the MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Cambridge, England, residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Endocrinology/Metabolism both at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. She studied acupuncture at Tristate Institute of Acupuncture and at Worsley College of Classical Chinese Acupuncture. She currently is a Research Associate Professor of Neurology, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Vermont and is the Principal Investigator of two NIH-funded studies investigating the role of connective tissue in chronic pain, acupuncture and manual therapies.

Publications:

1. Bouffard NA, Cutroneo KR, Badger GJ, White SL, Buttolph TR, Ehrlich HP, Stevens-Tuttle D, Langevin HM. Tissue stretch decreases soluble TGF-beta1 and type-1 procollagen in mouse subcutaneous connective tissue: evidence from ex vivo and in vivo models. J Cell Physiol. 2008 Feb;214(2):389-95.
2. Langevin HM, Rizzo DM, Fox JR, Badger GJ, Wu J, Konofagou EE, Stevens-Tuttle D, Bouffard NA, Krag MH. Dynamic morphometric characterization of local connective tissue network structure in humans using ultrasound. BMC Syst Biol. 2007 Jun 5;1:25.
3. Langevin HM, Bouffard NA, Churchill DL, Badger GJ. Connective tissue fibroblast response to acupuncture: dose-dependent effect of bidirectional needle rotation. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Apr;13(3):355-60.
4. Langevin HM, Sherman KJ. Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms. Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(1):74-80
5. Langevin HM. Connective tissue: a body-wide signaling network?. Medical Hypotheses. 66(6):1074-7, 2006.
6. Langevin HM. Bouffard NA. Badger GJ. Churchill DL. Howe AK. Subcutaneous tissue fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling induced by acupuncture: evidence for a mechanotransduction-based mechanism. Journal of Cellular Physiology. 207(3):767-74, 2006.
7. Langevin HM. Bouffard NA. Badger GJ. Iatridis JC. Howe AK. Dynamic fibroblast cytoskeletal response to subcutaneous tissue stretch ex vivo and in vivo. American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology. 288(3):C747-56, 2005.
8. Langevin HM. Cornbrooks CJ. Taatjes DJ. Fibroblasts form a body-wide cellular network. Histochemistry & Cell Biology. 122(1):7-15, 2004.

Diane graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor degree in the Science of Rehabilitation in 1976. She has been a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy since 1981 (FCAMPT) and completed her certification in Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) in 2001. Diane is a co-founder of Discover Physio (along with Linda-Joy Lee) and is the owner, director and a practicing physiotherapist at Diane Lee & Associates in White Rock, BC, Canada. Diane also serves as an editorial advisor for the journal Manual Therapy, a scientific committee member for the Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Pain and is on the advisory board for Chicago’s Woman’s Health Foundation.

Diane is well known both nationally and internationally for her clinical work on thoracic, lumbar and pelvic disability and pain. She holds the North American patent for an innovative sacroiliac belt – The Com-pressor. Her writing journey began in 1989 when Elsevier published the first edition of The Pelvic Girdle, which has been translated into several languages and updated in three subsequent editions. The latest edition (2011, 4th edn.) presents a new model, The Integrated Systems Model, and the Clinical Puzzle, co-developed with Linda-Joy Lee, which is the foundation of the series of courses offered by Discover Physio. Discover Physio strives to educate, inspire, and support clinicians to be evidence-based and highly effective through high-quality education experiences both online and hands-on.

Publications:

1. Lee D G The Pelvic Girdle, An Integration of Clinical Expertise and Research, 4th edn. 2011 Elsevier
2. Lee D G, Lee L J, McLaughlin L M 2008 Stability, continence and breathing: The role of fascia following pregnancy and delivery. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 12:333

Joel G. Pickar, D.C., Ph.D. is a Professor at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research in Davenport, IA. He received his B.A. from Brown University and D.C. from Palmer College of Chiropractic. After several years in private practice he went on for further training in the basic sciences in order to understand the neurophysiological basis of spinal manipulation. He received his Ph.D from the muscle/electrophysiology laboratory of Dr. Richard C. Carlsen at University of California Davis and did post-doctoral training in the neurophysiology laboratory of Dr. Marc Kaufman at University of California, Davis, School of Medicine.

His research activities have been funded by NIH since 1993. Dr. Pickar’s research laboratory is currently studying neurophysiological issues related to the vertebral column and to chiropractic manipulation. He serves on the Advisory Editorial Board for The Spine Journal and is a past member of the NIH Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. His research interests include the effects of spinal manipulation on the nervous system and the effects of biomechanical and biochemical conditions in paraspinal tissues on the nervous system including primary afferents, sympathetic efferents, central neurons and muscles reflexes.

Related Publications:

1. Pickar, J.G. and McLain, R.F. Responses of mechanosensitive afferents to manipulation of the lumbar facet in the cat. Spine, 20(22):2379-2385, 1995.
2. Pickar, J.G. An in vivo preparation for investigating neural responses to controlled loading of a lumbar vertebra. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 89:87-96, 1999.
3. Pickar, J.G. and Wheeler, J.D. Response of muscle proprioceptors to spinal manipulative-like loads in the anesthetized cat. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 24(1):2-11, 2001.
4. Pickar, J.G. Neurophysiological effects of spinal manipulation. The Spine Journal, 2:357-371, 2002.
5. Ge, W., Long, C.R., Pickar, J.G. Vertebral position alters paraspinal muscle spindle responsiveness in the feline spine: effect of positioning duration. Journal of Physiology, 569(Pt 2):655-65, 2005.
6. Pickar J.G., Kang, Y.-M., Paraspinal muscle spindle responses to the duration of a spinal manipulation under force control. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(1):22-31, 2006.
7. Pickar,J.G., Sung,P.S.,Kang,Y.-M.,Ge,W. Response of lumbar paraspinal muscles spindles is greater to spinal manipulative loading compared with slower loading under length control. The Spine Journal 7(5):583-95, 2007.
8. Cao, D.Y., Pickar, J.G. (corresponding author). Thoracolumbar fascia does not influence sensory signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles: a neurophysiological study in the cat. Journal of Anatomy 215(4):417-24, 2009.

Peter Ruben (Ph.D., 1981, Department of Physiology, University of Calgary) is Chair and Professor in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. He teaches a variety of physiology and health-related courses to undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Ruben's research focuses on the molecular and biophysical properties of voltage-gated sodium channels, proteins that give rise to electrical activity in nerves, muscles, and heart cells. He and his collaborators are interested in the normal physiological and pathophysiological properties of these proteins, and how a range of cellular dysfunctions are caused by mutations in sodium channels. His group is also interested in how drugs and toxins interact with these proteins. In addition to his research and teaching activities, Dr. Ruben is the faculty-athletic representative for SFU. In his spare time, Dr. Ruben enjoys mountain biking, trail running, skiing, and surfing with his family.

Related Publications:

1. Coming Soon

Clinical: Certified Advanced Rolfer® and Feldenkrais Practitioner, Faculty member of the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, MA in clinical psychology from Heidelberg University. Active private bodywork practice since 1978; teaching internationally since 1990. Research: Co-initiator of the First International Fascia Research Congress. Founder and Director of Fascia Research Project at the Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Germany. Research Director of the European Rolfing Association. PhD in human biology with honors from Ulm university. Awarded with the Vladimir Janda Award for Musculoskeletal Medicine 2006. Current research focus: active fascial contractility.

Some Related Publications:

1. Zorn A, Schmitt F, Hodeck KF, Schleip R, Weckend F, Klingler W. The spring-like function of the lumbar fascia in human walking. J Bodywork Movement Ther 12 (3): 261-263, 2008
2. Schleip R, Klingler W. Chronic low back pain may originate from subfailure injuries in lumbar fasciae. J Bodywork Movement Ther 12 (3): 263, 2008
3. Findley T, Schleip R (eds.). Fascia research - Basic science and implications for conventional and complementary health care. Elsevier, Munich 2007.
4. Schleip R. Naylor IL. Ursu D. Melzer W. Zorn A. Wilke HJ. Lehmann-Horn F. Klingler W. Passive muscle stiffness may be influenced by active contractility of intramuscular connective tissue. Medical Hypotheses. 66(1):66-71, 2006.
5. Schleip R. Klingler W. Lehmann-Horn F. Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics. Medical Hypotheses. 65(2):273-7, 2005.
6. Schleip R. Fascial plasticity -- a new neurobiological explanation: part 2. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 7(2): 104-16, 2003.
7. Schleip R. Fascial plasticity -- a new neurobiological explanation: part 1. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 7(1): 11-9, 2003.

Dr. Schneider has extensive experience and expertise on chiropractic, sports medicine, physical therapy, and rehabilitation and has authored numerous articles, textbook chapters and other publications on these subjects. His primary areas of interest are fibromyalgia syndrome, myofascial pain, and muscle dysfunction.

In private practice since 1984, Dr. Schneider has received his Ph.D. in rehabilitative science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the former Vice President of the A.C.A. Council on Technique and is a postgraduate faculty member of New York, Texas, National, and University of Bridgeport Chiropractic Colleges.

Some Related Publications:

1. No information available currently

Dr. Moshe Solomonow PhD, MD (Hon), is Director of Bioengineering, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Colorado, Denver, CO. He was a Professor and Director of Bioengineering and of The Occupational Medicine Research Center at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1983 to 2005. He received the B.Sc., and M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from California State University and the Ph.D. in Engineering Systems and Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Under his leadership, technology was developed for several translational projects related to; Myoelectric control of upper limb prosthetics for amputees; Electronic walking orthosis for paraplegics; Smart orthosis for Anterior Cruciate Ligament deficient patients; and smart braces for individuals with low back pain.

He is the Founding Editor of The Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, and serves on the Editorial Board of several bioengineering and medical journals. Dr. Solomonow is/was a consultant to the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, National Academy of Sciences, The Veterans Administration and scientific agencies of several European and Asiatic governments and Canada. He was a council member of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, the International Society of Functional Electrical Stimulation, and the IEEE-Biomedical Engineering Society.

Some Related Publications:

1. Solomonow M. Ligaments: a source of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology. 14(1):49-60, 2004.
2. Solomonow M. Baratta RV. Banks A. Freudenberger C. Zhou BH. Flexion-relaxation response to static lumbar flexion in males and females. Clinical Biomechanics. 18(4):273-9, 2003.
3. Holm S. Indahl A. Solomonow M. Sensorimotor control of the spine. Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology. 12(3):219-34, 2002.
4. Solomonow M. Zhou BH. Baratta RV. Lu Y. Harris M. Biomechanics of increased exposure to lumbar injury caused by cyclic loading: Part 1. Loss of reflexive muscular stabilization. Spine. 24(23):2426-34, 1999.

Carla Stecco, MD - Orthopedist, Assistant Professor of Human Anatomy and Movement Sciences at the University of Padova. Founder Member of the Fascial Manipulation Association. Member of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology and of the Association Française des Morphologistes. Scientific activity devoted to the study of the anatomy of the human fasciae from a macroscopical, histological and physiopathological point of view. She personally made over 100 cadaver dissections for research. She organizes and personally holds theoretical-practical courses about the Fascial Manipulation technique both in Italy and in other countries. Author of more than 40 in extenso papers about the fascial anatomy. Author of one book (Manipolazione fasciale, Piccin, 2007), translated in English in 2009 (Fascial Manipulation, practical part, Piccin, 2009) and of some chapters in various books about the fascial anatomy and the Fascial Manipulation Technique.

Publications:

1. Stecco C, Macchi V, Lancerotto L, Tiengo C, Porzionato A, De Caro R. Comparison of Transverse Carpal Ligament and Flexor Retinaculum Terminology for the Wrist. J Hand Surg Am. 2010 Mar 24. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 20346594.
2. Stecco C, Macchi V, Porzionato A, Morra A, Parenti A, Stecco A, Delmas V, De Caro R. The Ankle Retinacula: Morphological Evidence of the Proprioceptive Role of the Fascial System. Cells Tissues Organs. 2010 Feb 27. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 20197652.
3. Natali AN, Pavan PG, Stecco C. A constitutive model for the mechanical characterization of the plantar fascia. Connect Tissue Res. 2010 Feb 22. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 20175692.
4. Macchi V, Tiengo C, Porzionato A, Stecco C, Vigato E, Parenti A, Azzena B, Weiglein A, Mazzoleni F, De Caro R. Histotopographic study of the fibroadipose connective cheek system. Cells Tissues Organs. 2010;191(1):47-56. Epub 2009 Jun 24. PubMed PMID: 19556742.
5. Day JA, Stecco C, Stecco A. Application of Fascial Manipulation technique in chronic shoulder pain--anatomical basis and clinical implications. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2009 Apr;13(2):128-35. Epub 2008 Jun 24. PubMed PMID: 19329049.
6. Stecco C, Pavan PG, Porzionato A, Macchi V, Lancerotto L, Carniel EL, Natali AN, De Caro R. Mechanics of crural fascia: from anatomy to costitutive modelling. Surg Radiol Anat. 2009 Aug;31(7):523-9. Epub 2009 Feb 26. PubMed PMID: 19242635.
7. Pedrelli A, Stecco C, Day JA. Treating patellar tendinopathy with Fascial Manipulation. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2009 Jan;13(1):73-80. Epub 2008 Jul 26. PubMed PMID: 19118795.
8. Stecco A, Macchi V, Stecco C, Porzionato A, Ann Day J, Delmas V, De Caro R. Anatomical study of myofascial continuity in the anterior region of the upper limb. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2009 Jan;13(1):53-62. Epub 2007 Jun 28. PubMed PMID: 19118793.
9. Stecco C, Porzionato A, Lancerotto L, Stecco A, Macchi V, Day JA, De Caro R. Histological study of the deep fasciae of the limbs. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008 Jul;12(3):225-30. Epub 2008 Jun 13. PubMed PMID: 19083678.
10. Stecco A, Macchi V, Masiero S, Porzionato A, Tiengo C, Stecco C, Delmas V, De Caro R. Pectoral and femoral fasciae: common aspects and regional specializations. Surg Radiol Anat. 2009 Jan;31(1):35-42. Epub 2008 Jul 29. PubMed PMID: 18663404.
11. Stecco C, Porzionato A, Macchi V, Stecco A, Vigato E, Parenti A, Delmas V, Aldegheri R, De Caro R. The expansions of the pectoral girdle muscles onto the brachial fascia: morphological aspects and spatial disposition. Cells Tissues Organs. 2008;188(3):320-9. Epub 2008 Mar 19. PubMed PMID: 18349526.
12. Stecco C, Gagey O, Belloni A, Pozzuoli A, Porzionato A, Macchi V, Aldegheri R, De Caro R, Delmas V. Anatomy of the deep fascia of the upper limb. Second part: study of innervation. Morphologie. 2007 Mar;91(292):38-43. PubMed PMID: 17574469.

Related Publications:

1. Coming soon