What is Musculoskeletal Body Image & Why is it Relevant for Physiotherapists?

Musculoskeletal Body Image (MBI) is the way one’s body feels to its owner. If you close your eyes, and think about a part of your body, are you aware of the outline of your body? This includes, the shape, contours, alignment in space, and sense of weight distribution. MBI is closely related to motor imagery. So this feeling is also dynamic. Ideally this motor imagery would be intrinsic and not extrinsic. MBI is believed to depend on sensory motor input. It is very plastic and can change quickly. 

Body Image is distorted in chronic pain.

Body image is distorted in people with atypical birth histories, handedness, previous concussions, dizziness and other neurological incidents.

This has widespread implications for:

• coordination and motor skill learning
• non mechanical pain
• behavioral conditions

Original research has identified a fascinating new assessment and rehabilitation approach. This is addition to the neurodevelopmental process we have been researching and developing for over two decades.

How do you assess MBI? Body image drawing, motor imagery, physical assessment

How do you rehab MBI? Neurodevelopmental rehab, vestibular stimulation

Want to Learn?

Ottawa, Canada: March 6-8, 2020: Primitive Reflex & Motor Skill Learning

Barcelona, Spain: March 20-22, 2020: Primitive Reflex & Motor Skill Learning

Toronto, Canada: May 2-3: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Primitive Reflexes for Pelvic Health 

Warsaw, Poland: May 8-10: Primitive Reflexes

Warsaw, Poland: May 11-13: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Advanced Primitive Reflexes

Harrogate, UK: May 16-17: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Advanced Primitive Reflexes

Montreal, Canada: June 5-7: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Advanced Primitive Reflexes for Pelvic Health 

Milan, Italy: June 19-21: Advanced Concussion & Body Image

For more information email: stabilityphysio@gmail.com

visit: www.smarterehab.org

Testimonials
“I can't recommend Sean Gibbons and Smarterehab courses enough. I have found the sub-classification system to be easy to use and revolutionary in removing a lot of the guesswork in my patient management. The courses have been transformative in my practice in that it has wide applicability across a spectrum of conditions that would normally constitute ‘difficult’ patients. I can't recommend these courses highly enough!  
Chris Barber MCSP BSc (Hons) Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapist, Director: Advanced Physiotherapy Centres Ltd.

As a clinic owner and have seen a trend in Canadian physiotherapy towards spinal manipulation and needling techniques. While these techniques are valuable, the transformative learning that takes place in a SmarteRehab course is the direction I am dedicated to bringing our profession. As Physiotherapists, if we wish to distinguish ourselves from chiropractors, massage therapists, athletic therapists, osteopaths etc., we need to move away from technique based therapy. Sean is masterful at explaining the complex relationship between Central Sensitization, Central Pain, Sensori-Motor Function and how it relates to Motor Control dysfunction and pain. No other approach I have seen, heard of, or even read about does such a complete job of integrating neurological rehabilitation techniques and treatment. I now have junior therapists who are able to reason their way through the most complex of chronic pain cases and can formulate treatment plans that are effective and get results. Most importantly they can explain to these patients the nature of their problem in a way that they can understand. It is so rewarding to see patients, empowered with this knowledge, resolve problems that have sometimes existed for decades. Equally as rewarding is watching a junior Physio quickly solve by identifying the underlying movement dysfunction and easily explaining it’s cause. Thank you for what you have done and continue to do for our Profession.  
Dave Holmes Owner and Physiotherapist at Tower Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine 

If you find yourself stuck and frustrated with chronic, generalized, weird pain patients who don't respond to usual treatments, this is what this course is all about. Sean's courses are truly unique and bring practical, guidelines that are untouched by other institutions. Places are limited.  
Jean-Michel Cormier, Physiotherapist Max Health Institute, Shediac, NB, Canada

The courses that I have taken with Sean have completely changed my pelvic floor practice and the way I practice as a physical therapist! Sean's courses are a must in order to help a variety of clientele and especially those who do not respond to conventional treatments! He has researched and developed new techniques that are essential for pelvic floor therapists.  
Erica Lafontant, pht, B. Sc, M.Sc.A Rééducation périnéale et . Action Physio. Ville Mont-Royal, QC,

Sean Gibbons graduated from Manchester University in 1995. He has been rehabilitating movement patterns and chronic pain his whole career. His PhD was on the development of a prescriptive clinical prediction rule for specific motor control exercises in low back pain. Key new sub-classifications were identified: Neurological Factors, which are related to extremely poor movement and motor skill learning; Body Image & Body Image Pain; and Chronic Low Grade Systemic Inflammation which is the cause of most chronic disease. His current work aims to further validate the screening tools and understand the underlying causes of each subgroup. The importance of individual factors such as the therapeutic relationship and patient beliefs are also considered. His dissection and research into psoas major, gluteus maximus and other muscles has led to the development of new rehabilitation options. He has presented his research at national and international conferences and has several journal publications and book chapters on related topics. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster's Advanced Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal / Manipulative Physiotherapy Specialization and lectures at Manchester Metropolitan University's Masters in Advanced Physiotherapy program.