Introduction: Welcome to Naturopathic Manipulation, a required course for the Doctor of Naturopathy Degree in the School of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Care at Canyon College.

This is an exciting course. The area of manual medicine and manipulation techniques has found renewed interest in all areas of medicine. Manipulation involves moving or mobilizing joints by manual pressure applied at variable force and speed. It also can involve a number of other techniques such as myofascial release techniques, strain/counter strain, and craniosacral maneuvers. All involve the moving of anatomical parts of the body or initiating reflexes that allow for body parts to resume their normal anatomical alignment. When this occurs, the patient normally feels varying degrees of pain relief. This course will cover the principles, concepts and clinical correlation of manual medicine and naturopathic manipulation techniques.

Naturopathic manipulation techniques result from the blending of different schools of thought in healthcare. This is important when one realizes that there is little new in the area of manual manipulation, only refining existing principles. Naturopathic medicine does not lay claim to originating manipulation, but uses this modality when indicated, not exclusively for all disorders, but as one part of a therapeutic regime.

This course is designed to give you an awareness of the differing styles and techniques of manual manipulation. It is not designed to make you proficient in any one area of manipulation and further training is required if desired. Laws vary from state to state in regards to what certain techniques practitioners can perform; you will need to be aware of these laws if you plan to apply any manipulation techniques in your practice.

Course Overview: This is three-semester hour course that is designed to be completed in twelve weeks. Students must complete all required weekly assignments prior to taking the mid-term and final examinations. As soon as you receive your textbook you may begin your course of study. The course schedule is listed below. You will be required to obtain five (5) practice participants with whom you will practice the techniques. Prior to practicing any techniques on actual participants, you must ensure that each individual sign a Disclaimer Form indicating their awareness of your student status, lack of licensure and that the work performed is under the auspice of training. The signed Disclaimer Form must be sent to the Administrative Offices at Canyon College. Upon completion of your work with each practice participant you must have him or her fill out a Naturopathic Manipulation Completion Form. I must receive at my office, the Naturopathic Manipulation Completion Form via e-mail attachment or fax prior to authorizing access to the written final examination. The Disclaimer form and the Naturopathic Manipulation Completion Form are located on the assignments page in the course classroom.

1. Contact information including e-mail address.
2. Your experience, if any, in the health care field.
3. Your academic background.
4. Your personal and professional goals upon completion of the ND program at Canyon College.

1. Myofascial Release Techniques
2. Thoracic Spine Techniques
3. Lumbar Spine Techniques
4. Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction Techniques
5. Upper or Lower Extremity Techniques

After practicing on all five participants, all five areas above must be documented, however all areas do not (should not) need to be practiced on the same participant.

After completing each practice session, the Naturopathic Manipulation Completion Form must be completed. The five (5) Naturopathic Manipulation Completion Forms and the five (5) Disclaimer Forms must be faxed to my office at 716-373-2257.
The five (5) Disclaimer Forms must also be faxed to the Administrative Office at 208-455-0040.