Osteopathic Principles and OMT for Foot & Ankle Problems: The Still-Hiss-Tikker Connection

Course Description

This course is intended for those practitioners who wish to learn more about osteopathic manipulative treatment for common foot and ankle problems. The unique aspect of this course is that the osteopathic manipulative techniques (OMT) taught are those that are said to have originated with Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, the Founder of the osteopathic profession. It is thought that Dr. Still taught his foot and ankle techniques to John Martin Hiss, MD. DO. Who was the director of the Hiss Clinic in Los Angeles, CA. Rue Tikker, DPM, practiced with Hiss for many years, and has taken it upon himself to teach these techniques to currently practicing osteopathic physicians. The co-directors of this course learned these techniques directly from Dr. Hiss and have designed this course to further Dr. Tikker’s mission of passing on these clinically useful methods to others. This course will include: the pertinent functional and descriptive anatomy of the lower extremity, with emphasis on the foot and ankle; the osteopathic structural examination and general examination of the low back, pelvis, lower extremity and foot and ankle; the osteopathic view of the sprained ankle as a common clinical condition frequently seen; the application of these OMT procedures in the treatment of some common foot and ankle problem, using common clinical examples, such as the acute and chronic sprained ankle. These OMT approaches will be helpful for the clinician when faced with common foot and ankle problems that may be refractory to full resolution using today’s most common treatment regimens. This hands-on course will offer participants the opportunity to learn the neuroanatomic basis for how OMT affects these structure-function interrelationships, and meets the needs of interested practitioners who want to increase their knowledge in this area of medical practice, including assessment of existing and emerging therapies, as they develop customized treatment plans for individual case scenarios. If you have any questions about this educational program, please contact staff at cme@the-promise.org or by calling our office at 619-548-8815.

Educational Need 

The activity will address osteopathic clinicians’, as well as other practicing clinicians’, needs to improve knowledge, competence and/or performance for the treatment of structurally-based foot and ankle problems by leveraging the principles of osteopathic medicine. Some common foot and ankle conditions often linger beyond what would be an expected recovery timeline, and may be at risk for becoming chronic conditions. Effective treatment varies for patients, but often the missing part of treatment is the ability to diagnose and treat somatic dysfunctions associated with these conditions.   

Educational Objectives 
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
* Describe the research substantiating the application of evidence based OMT for somatic dysfunction clinically associated with common foot and ankle problems (Osteopathic Philosophy, Principles and Manipulative Treatment; Medical Knowledge and Its Application Into Osteopathic Medical Practice)
* Assess the applicability of OMT procedures in these areas for their practice and integrate them in the care of their patients. (Osteopathic Philosophy, Principles and Manipulative Treatment; Osteopathic Patient Care.)
*  Experience live demonstration of the relevant OMT procedures, followed by hands-on training sessions in the application of these procedures. (Osteopathic Medical Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Osteopathic Patient Care; Systems-Based Osteopathic Medical Practice.)
*  Describe the historical evolution of these OMT procedures, from their development by Andrew Taylor Still, his interaction with John Martin Hiss, and the promotion of this knowledge to both the osteopathic and allopathic medical professions by Rue Tikker, DPM, an associate of Dr. Hiss. (Osteopathic Philosophy, Principles and Manipulative Treatment; Medical Knowledge and Its Application Into Osteopathic Medical Practice.)  

Target Audience 
This activity is for osteopathic and medical physicians (DO/MD), podiatrists (DPM), medical and podiatric DO/MD/DPM) students and residents, International Osteopaths, and International Osteopathic students.

Prerequisites
This course is appropriate for the target audience and students in the target audience training programs, as described above.