Gray Institute Continued Education Overview

Continued education by the Gray Institute

This is a summary of my notes from the Gray Institute courses as well as alternative opinions
Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Functional Techniques Certification

Chain reaction

Refers to the interplay between the joints and muscles when someone moves.

Muscle function

Dr. Gray states that when he was studying in PT school, they were taught to perform assessments on the table in a “nonfunctional” and “context-dependent” position.

Gray states that in reality (based on studies they have read), the muscles do not have isolated functions in single planes or on select joints1. Rather, the muscles work on all 3 planes of motion and on multiple joints1.

PST Process

  • P - Principles
  • S - Strategies
  • T - Techniques

Functional movement spectrum

The functional movement spectrum has 3 purposes:

  1. Identify principles to guide movement1.
  2. Simplify complexity to define function1.
  3. To guide development and utilization of functional movement1.
Table 1: Functional movement spectrum1
Non-functional Functional
Environment Unnatural Natural
Gravity & GRF Confused Used
Mass & Momentum Neglected Leveraged
Motion 1-D 3-D
Reaction Link Chain
Proprioceptors Inhibited Facilitated
Muscles Actor Reactor
Joints Isolated Integrated
Task Conscious reaction Subconscious reaction
Specificity Stagnation Transformation
Mobility / Stability Segregated Combined
Encouragement Failure Success
Empowerment External locus of control Internal locus of control
Engagement Irrelevant Relevant

Physical principles

Biological principles

Behavioral principles

  • Encouragement
  • Empowerment
  • Engagement

Environment

Environment is one of the 3 physical principles. You should be constantly asking yourself, “is this environmental functional for the goal?”

Gravity & GRF

Mass & Momentum

Motion

Reaction

Proprioceptors

Muscles

Joints

Task

Specificity

Specificity is a way to change how functional a movement is. Movements that have “Stagnation” of positions, are considered non-functional. Whereas, movements with “Transformation” (changing position and momentum) are considered more functional.

Stagnation refers to when many of the movements that are specific to the functional goal, are being inhibited.

An example of a movement with transformation is walking/running, where the body alternates between force production and force absorption.

Mobility/stability

Encouragement

Empowerment

Engagement

Foundations Certificate

In module 1, we took a deep dive into the functional movement spectrum and how it relates exercise prescription. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be on the non-functional side of the spectrum, as long as you know that you are choosing nonfunctional movements and why.

In module 2, I learned about the importance of terminology and nomenclature. The Gray Institute applies the “SFT Syntax”: Sagittal Frontal Transverse.

Alternative viewpoints

  • Gray institute’s AFS focuses on performing movements, rather than working on specific cues to correct the improper movements.

References

1.
Institute G. Functional Techniques. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://grayinstitute.inspire360.com/p/functional-techniques-membership

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