Founding a company for education…
This Isn’t Just Education—It’s Real-World Mastery.
In late 2016, I began my own education company Structure & Function Education. Structure & Function Education is based on my belief that continuing education should do more than check a box—it should transform how you treat, think, and lead in the clinic.
Structure & Function Education is an education company dedicated to bridging the gap from rehab to performance. Structure & Function Education started as a dry needling education company teaching the Structure & Function Dry Needling (SFDN) system of dry needling that I have developed over my three decades of clinical experience. We utilize the most recent science and evidence in dry needling, as well as our instructor team’s vast experience with rehabilitation and performance of the professional athlete.
My philosophy of looking at each athlete as a whole, and working with the entire body to create an optimal environment for healing and performance training is at the heart of every single course we teach. Our courses provide an integrated space for all healthcare professionals to come together and learn, despite the letters after their name.
Although we started as a dry needling-focused education company, we have expanded our offerings to include a variety of additional premier manual therapy courses, including Introduction and Advanced Joint Manipulation courses, and the Fascial Manipulation® Method by Stecco – Levels I, II and III.
Through Structure & Function Education, we provide world class education services to healthcare and sport performance professionals, so they in turn can elevate the lives of their patients. Structure & Function Education was founded with a rebellious spirit and lofty objective: to change the way medicine and sport performance interacts with each other throughout the world, for the betterment of our patients and clients.
Bridging the Gap from Rehab to Performance
In 2018, I published the book I always wanted as a student – Bridging the Gap from Rehab to Performance. Continuing my own education and continuing to grow my own knowledge base has always been a focus of my career. I have even been be called a “perpetual student” by good friends and family members! When writing the book, I realized that there were great strength and conditioning books available, and there were a lot of great rehabilitation-focused books available. However, there was NOTHING available that brought the two ideas together, which really is how we function as human beings and athletes. We know there is no magical day when rehabilitation ends and performance training begins, so my book seeks to “bridge the gap” so to speak in the literature.
The release of Bridging the Gap from Rehab to Performance also opened up another avenue for providing professional education. I am happy to offer in-person courses in this concept of Bridging the Gap on a public or private basis. Additionally, several chapters have been converted into online-learning opportunities available through Structure & Function Education. We are in the process of adapting all chapters of the book into online courses, so stay tuned for future releases!
Lectures & Keynotes
Few people think about public speaking and making it part of their career path. I wasn’t any different. I began speaking in 2001 at a Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, TX presenting my master’s thesis on the One Arm Hop Test. I didn’t know it then, but that presentation started both my public speaking and educator career paths.
I travel regularly speaking at the state, regional, national and even international level. I love going out and speaking to athletic trainers, physical therapists and strength and conditioning professionals because it allows me to meet so many people who share my same passions and continue to learn by myself.
Some speaking highlights include being a multi-year keynote speaker for the World Federation of Athletic Therapists and Trainers (WFATT), presenting at the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) annual National Convention, the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM), Asia Fitness Conference, Perform Better’s Functional Training Summit, Isokinetic, the Orthopedic Summit, and the College Athletic Trainers’ Society Annual Meeting.
My most frequently spoken about topics include Bridging the Gap from Rehabilitation to Performance, The Role of Dry Needling in the Management of the Competitive Athlete, Sensorimotor Changes in the Elite Athlete: Change the Input to Change the Output, Interventions for Recovery, Regeneration and Pain Relief, Alternative Therapies in Sports Medicine, How Important is the Role of Fascia in Sport?, and more.
One of my favorite speeches I have ever given was the commencement speech to the graduation Doctor of Physical Therapy class of 2021 from my alma mater, Daemen College. Those graduates overcame so much completing their doctorate during the pandemic! You can watch my speech here.
Private Courses & Professional Team Consulting
Our nation is in the middle of major healthcare reform. As clinicians, we must examine and treat in the most efficient and effective way possible.
We must maximize our educational opportunities from both a time and financial standpoint. Sometimes, you simply cannot get away from the clinic. Or, you need someone to see your space, see your practice, and offer a critical eye from an outside perspective.
I am happy to work with you to develop a custom curriculum, have myself or one of my team members come to your clinic and offer unique education services or courses based on the needs of your practice!:
- Customized evaluation and education on best practices for seamless integration of strength coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, doctors, and sport coaches
- Legal and ethical business practices related to setting up a PT clinic within a wellness facility, or a wellness facility within a PT clinic
- Assist in the research and development of your outreach programs to improve the lives of local athletes in your community
- Assist teams and organizations in creating a comprehensive, integrated medical staff with a unifying philosophy