Institute of Somatic Therapy Announces New Course on Diversity Training and Cultural Awareness, MASSAGE MagazineBy Judith Koch, director of education, Institute of Somatic Therapy

Can you identify the physical abnormality that Janet Travell, M.D., the pioneer of myofascial pain and trigger point training, said is the cause of approximately 80 percent of all myofascial pain? Did you even know that 80 percent of all myofascial pain came from a single cause?

Even with 24 years in the massage therapy industry as a practitioner, an educator and as a person suffering from pain as a result of this condition, I had not put two and two together until recently.

If you are like most massage therapists, your massage training didn’t teach you about the most common cause of foot, knee and hip pain. It is a condition called Morton’s Foot Structure (sometimes referred to as Morton’s Toe).

Morton’s Foot Structure is primarily caused by one of two anatomical conditions of the foot:

  1. Hypermobility of the plantar ligament
  2. A first metatarsal that is shorter than the second metatarsal

Either or both of these conditions will cause hyperpronation during walking, which in turn tends to lead to structural compensation of the knees and hips, which then results in the development of trigger points and myofascial pain throughout the entire lower extremity.

After discovering the connection between my foot anatomy and my hip pain, which has now been reduced by 80 percent or more, I am making it my mission to bring this information to as many massage therapists as I can.

The Institute of Somatic Therapy just created a new three-CE pathology online massage therapy continuing education course, which covers the anatomy, symptoms, causes and assessment of Morton’s Foot Structure. The course describes a very simple method your clients can employ to greatly reduce their symptoms. You will learn which muscles are negatively impacted by Morton’s Toe so you can address the problems it has caused. You will also learn a simple way to significantly reduce the pain your clients have as a result of this condition.

To enroll in the course or read more about it, click here.