Lab Rats or Field Mice?

Have you ever sat through a conference where presenters effortlessly recite research data as if plucking fireflies from a summer night sky, only for it to disappear just as quickly? It's impressive, no doubt, but often lacks practicality. Like those fleeting fireflies, the data flits about, bursting with excitement before fading into obscurity. If you want to capture that magic, you need to catch it in a cup and take a closer look – print the study and get out your highlighter.

Conversely, witnessing a master of their craft at work is an entirely different experience. They seamlessly blend science, art, and application into a single masterpiece. It's like watching a skilled painter at their easel, creating something of beauty that leaves you in awe. Yet, when you leave, you might find yourself wondering how they arrived at such a remarkable blend.

Understanding the science behind any approach is crucial for its application. It's about having a vast toolbox and knowing how to blend concepts effectively. But where do these concepts intersect? Enter the Lab Rat vs. the Field Mouse.

In Reflex Locomotion, your canvas is expansive, allowing for a plethora of techniques, but you must respect the principles of color blending. This targeted approach to the central nervous system offers vast applications. However, its passive nature may leave more advanced patients yearning for more.

If you navigate the world as an Ortho Field Mouse, you'll need to answer the therapy bell with something productive yet engaging for your patients. Conversely, if neurological conditions are your realm, spending time with the Lab Rats and adhering to basic technical principles may be necessary.

Personally, I thrive on clinical creativity and cherish those moments when clients embrace an exercise progression. While I primarily operate in the orthopedic and performance domain, individuals like Dr. Richard Cohen seamlessly transition across various specialties, a feat I admire but cannot replicate.

So, how do I blend colors in an orthopedic-based rehab session?

Assessment: Address joint blocks, trigger point patterns, and movement dysfunction (prioritize joint blocks).

Prime the CNS: Utilize Reflex Locomotion according to Vojta (both passive and active) alongside local trigger point release.

Regenerate tissues and movement patterns: Focus on stress relaxation, restoring movement patterns, and enhancing movement capacity.

Each phase directly influences the next. For instance, resolving joint restrictions and trigger points enhances the ability to prime the CNS. Once stress shielding patterns are addressed and a more appropriate pattern is introduced, loading that pattern becomes easier. Proper tissue loading leads to healing and improved performance.

Now, it's essential to acknowledge that this approach isn't solely my creation. It's a blend of over a decade of mentorship from Dr. Richard Cohen in Reflex Locomotion according to Vojta, insights from Prague therapist Dr. Petr Bitnar (also a Reflex Locomotion student), and the soft tissue research of Dr. Keith Baar.

If you're looking to refine your Reflex Locomotion according to Vojta skills, look no further than Dr. Richard Cohen and Primitive Therapeutics. Dr. Vojta's techniques are seldom taught in English, and finding literature on the subject can be challenging. Our in-person courses offer a blend of science, research for the lab rats, and hands-on application for the field mice.