CFS: Core First Strategies for Optimum Function (Oct 10 - 12, 2025)

CFS: Core First Strategies for Optimum Function is organized by The Institute of Physical Art, Inc. (IPA) and will be held from Oct 10 - 12, 2025 at ReLive Physical Therapy - Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale, Illinois, United States of America.

Description:

CoreFirst® Strategies are genetically driven human forms of stability and locomotion.

Human genetics promote quadruped and bipedal locomotion for survival, self-care and reproduction. Throughout normal growth and development, genetically driven functional movements and tasks promote the development of three pressure systems which provide the underlying support for Automatic Core Engagement™ (ACE) during functional postures and movements. 

CFS is an exciting and challenging, lab-intensive course which guides the participant to self-explore efficient postures and positions, promoting CoreFirst® movement strategies.  During supervised lab sessions, the participant practices multiple facilitation techniques and methods for training a patient’s posture and facilitating the efficient performance of functional tasks with CoreFirst® training strategies. 

After taking CFS, you will be able to immediately utilize the valid and reliable Saliba Postural Classification System to enhance patients’ dynamic stability and controlled mobility during functional tasks. You will be able to adapt these principles to both sitting and standing activities. 

Finally, CFS presents a comprehensive exercise system with addresses:

• Proprioceptive and kinesthetic training
• Active elongation to promote more efficient mechanical capacity
• Specific exercises for automatic core engagement
• Motor control exercises which promote dissociation and options for  control and movement

Objectives:

• Identify the role of CoreFirst® Strategies (CFS) in Functional Manual Therapy®
• Identify the correlation of CFS to motor learning theory
• Present the Saliba Postural Classification System (SPCS) and examine the supporting evidence and rationale
• In supervised lab sessions, practice three IPA functional tests and analyze the objective findings to identify efficient/inefficient postures and presence/absence of a CoreFirst® strategy for anticipatory and compensatory postural control
• Identify CoreFirst® principles of acute care and positioning to maximize pain reduction, optimize healing, and prevent central sensitization
• In supervised lab sessions, practice a step-by-step assessment and training for unsupported sitting, active sitting, sit to stand, standing, active standing, lifting, and push-pull activities
• Design an appropriate, challenging, and individualized exercise program for enhancement of proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness, flexibility, core stability, strength, endurance, and motor control
• In supervised lab sessions, utilize CFS principles of motor learning to identify functional tasks and determine the mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control parts which necessitate intervention
• Discuss and correlate current research on core stabilization and exercise training to CFS material