Tactile Vision
The Knee
In this class, anatomy moves into your hands.
By building a knee out of clay from the bones outward, layer by layer, you develop tactile vision, the ability to recognize balance, restriction, and distortion through touch, not just knowledge.
This hands-on process bridges anatomy and clinical work, supporting clearer assessment and more precise technique.
Muscle Management® for Knee Problems and Injuries
July 18-19
Sat-Sun 9-5 each day
Arizona School of Medical Massage and Wellness, LLC
8279 W Lake Pleasant Pkwy, Suite 106, Peoria, AZ 85382
Class size limited to 12
13 NCBTMB CE's
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.
For those considering any of my classes, it’s worth noting that the results from applying The Berry Method® whole-body approach often appear almost miraculous — get used to it.
Why?
Because this unique ‘Whole-Body Approach’ recognizes and works with nearly every component of the body that a bodyworker can reach.
The muscular, visceral, fascial, and lymphatic systems all play vital roles, and when we encourage them to return to balanced harmony, the body can restore its own miraculous self-healing abilities.
Because this bigger picture can feel overwhelming at first, I teach it in parts.
Remember: it’s not us doing the healing — it’s the body.
The Berry Method® quite simply gives the body the gentle boost it needs to return to what it already knows best—healing and natural movement.
The concepts presented in this class can integrate seamlessly into a bigger picture of supporting long-term client health.
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.
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A useful image is one of pushing or nudging dried strings of glue across glass with your fingertips. |
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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
A Holistic approach.
It serves to remember that we, as therapists, do not heal anything. We simply recognize, respect, and support the body's 'built-in' healing ability.
Corrective Massage recognizes the importance of balanced relationships, movements, and interactions throughout the body's soft tissues*. These relationships include natural anatomical positions and functionally balanced movement unimpeded by soft tissue tension.
Functional balance implies that our soft tissues are working harmoniously to support pain-free, healthy movement and function.
In Taum's world of Corrective Massage, considering all bodily movement as an orchestration of soft tissue relationships is a fundamental principle and starting point.
These foundational principles include familiarity with Equilibrium and Homeostasis. AKA Balance.
For example: Walking initially appears to be a simple activity. It actually involves a complex orchestration of numerous soft tissues.
A symphony of movement:
Our body requires over 200 of our 600 muscles to take one step. Of those 200, many serve as compensating adapters working in the background to keep us upright as we walk. While all our weight is on the right foot, those background muscles are adapting and counterbalancing so we do not fall over.
Each and every soft tissue plays a vital role in the body's ability to move and adapt to unbalanced tensions.
Our bodies can adapt to those tensions.
But only so far...
Limping is an example of crossing the adaptation line.
Pain serves as an alert that unbalanced tension has exceeded the body's ability to adapt, and corrective therapy is required.
The foundational focus of this unique therapy is to interpret the alert and then identify and correct the soft tissue tensions and imbalances that have created those alerts.
Corrective massage has repeatedly proven to be an efficient and effective method to reduce and relieve pain.
I hope this information serves you and those you serve.
*Muscles, tendons, ligaments, membranes, and viscera.
Re-balancing the knee...One muscle at a time.
One of many unique components of The Berry Method® is its explicit recognition that muscle tissues have an optimum natural functional position and can become misaligned due to trauma, adaptation, or other factors.
Sometimes, it's as simple as putting the tissue back where it belongs.
The Knee class includes both a regional and a specific, in-depth precision focus on Knee anatomy and the corrective techniques to return balance and pain-free movement.
In this class, you’ll build a knee out of clay from the bones outward, layer by layer. This hands-on process will give you a tactile understanding of how the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles work together for healthy knee function.
As we sculpt and assemble each part, you’ll also learn the idiosyncrasies of each tissue and how to recognize when something is out of balance. Along the way, rebalancing techniques to stretch, correct, and manipulate each structure will be presented, practiced, and reviewed.
Each model will include:
Bones (landmarks for palpation):
Femur, Fibula, Tibia, and Patella
Ligaments:
ACL & PCL Cruciate Ligaments
MCL and LCL Collateral Ligaments
Muscles & Tendons:
Popliteus
Plantaris
Gastrocnemius
Biceps Femoris
Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus
Gracilis
Tensor Fasciae Latae
Articularis Genus
Vastus Medialis
Vastus Intermedius
Vastus Lateralis
Rectus Femoris
Patellar Tendon
Sartorius
The bones serve as tactile landmarks, helping you locate and identify the surrounding muscles with your hands and fingers. By the end, you’ll have both a clay model and a deeper tactile functional map of the knee — knowledge you can apply directly to assessment and treatment.
The information on this website and in Taum’s classes is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by your physician, therapist, nutritionist, or any other health care provider.
Consult Your Physician or Health Care Provider. We suggest you send them the link to this page for their approval.
Our intent is not to replace any relationship that exists or should exist between you and your medical doctor or other health care professional.
You acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your health.
Once again, you know best your own body and its limits.
Respect those limits.
The information on this website and in Taum’s classes is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by your physician, therapist, nutritionist, or any other health care provider.
Consult Your Physician or Health Care Provider. We suggest you send them the link to this page, they may have important thoughts to share.
Our intent is not to replace any relationship that exists or should exist between you and your medical doctor or other health care professional.
You acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your health.
Once again, you know best your own body and its limits.
Respect those limits.
Taum Sayers and Muscle Management® Class Policies.
NCBTMB classes are limited to licensed manual therapists.
Course content and development:
Course content is primarily influenced by Taum's apprenticing with Lauren Berry, which began in 1978, and later as an assistant teacher in his classes. Taum continues interacting and co-teaching with other certified Berry Method® Practitioners/Teachers and health care professionals.
Informational resources include materials regarding the Berry Method® and other relevant published works.
For example:
Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction - The Trigger Point Manual, by Janet Travell.
-The published works of Dr. Rene Cailliet, my one-time personal Physician. (God Bless you, Dr. Cailliet…good story:-)
Class presentations are updated and revised as student feedback warrants and knowledge evolves. At the end of each class, students complete a class evaluation form. This evaluation process has been constructive in keeping the classes current and worthwhile for future students.
Instructor:
The sole instructor for these courses is to be Taum Sayers.
Taum is a certified Berry Method® Teacher and Practitioner.
Advertising:
Course flyers are produced on a computer and made available via postings at massage schools, on www.musclemanagement.com in the class schedule section, via email, regular mail, Facebook, and by request. Flyers include information regarding Taum Sayer's training and experience.
Each promotion often includes a reference to Taum Sayers Certifications.
"Taum Sayers is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under Category "A." Provider # 152386-00
"Registration, tuition fees, available discounts, and refund policies."
The tuition fee for the workshops may vary depending on the expenses related to the class.
Taum often offers a financial incentive for bringing a table.
Registrations require a deposit to hold the space.
As long as there is room in the course, the registration deadline is the first day of class.
Advanced registrations receive a discount; the remaining fee is due at the beginning of/by/on the first day of the class. Deposits are non-refundable, barring an emergency or unique situation determined on a case-by-case basis. Any refunds will be via check or electronic funds transfer (minus any processing fee).
Cancellation policy: Students may designate a qualified substitute to attend and then credit their deposit to that substitute's class fee. Any early registration discount is waived for the substitute. Any refunds will be made via check or electronic funds transfer (minus any processing fee) within 3 weeks. All designation requests must be received 2 weeks before class starts. No changes will be made after that date.
All registration money will be refunded to students if registrations fall short of class financial requirements.
American Disabilities Act: Facilities will be handicap accessible. When students call and identify themselves as disabled, the instructor will discuss their needs and how to accommodate them in the classroom best. Students must notify the instructor of special requirements before the beginning of the class, allowing adequate time for reasonable allowances to be made. As listed in the ADA, allowances for special needs will be met as long as they do not impose an "undue burden" on the instructor.
There is no discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Class records and student transcript policy: Records and transcripts will be maintained and stored within a secure file cabinet or on an electronic data storage unit for four years by Taum Sayers.
Student transcripts will be reproduced only per student request at a minimum charge.
Phones in Class:
To maintain a focused and distraction-free environment for everyone, we kindly ask all participants to keep their phones turned off during class. Thank you for your cooperation.
Photographs and Videos:
Photography and video recording of class content are strictly prohibited, except by Taum's designated photographer. If you prefer not to appear in photographs or videos taken during the class, please notify both Taum and the designated photographer in advance.
Registering for this class indicates that you have read, understood, and agree to the above information referencing:
'The Medical Disclaimer information and Taum's Class Policies.'
After registering, the class preparation webpage opens up to begin your 'Dynamic Learning' process.
Before June 10th
After June 10th
