Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Masterclass editorial
After 46 published masterclasses over the last 13 Examining the topics of previous masterclasses can be
years, it is timely to reflect on the purpose and the illuminating in demonstrating the direction, scope and
success of this aspect of Manual Therapy journal, to focus of manual therapy practice in 21st century.
review the themes which have emerged and to consider Themes that have emerged include concepts such as
the direction and scope of future masterclasses. muscle imbalance, movement dysfunction and classifica-
The purpose of the masterclass section is to describe tions of pain disorders. Masterclasses featuring manage-
in detail clinical aspects of manual therapy. This ment of spinal dysfunction are the most common with
provides a unique opportunity for authors, working at all areas of the spine examined from cervical headache,
the cutting edge of practice to present their concepts, whiplash, vertebro-basilar insufficiency to chronic back
management approaches or specific treatment techni- and leg pain. Masterclasses on the peripheral joints have
ques within a scholarly framework. Many of the also covered all regions from the shoulder to the foot
masterclass authors are pioneers in their field and are with, to date, the exception of the wrist and hand. In
often prolific authors invited to present keynote lectures addition, masterclasses on the use of real time ultra-
at national and international manual therapy confer- sound, electrotherapy, clinical trials, management of
ences. Indeed, many authors are commissioned to write chronic pain, pelvic floor and pregnancy illustrate how
masterclasses following keynote presentations and authors are developing their practice and responding to
through recommendations from members of the editor- the common problems presented by patients. This
ial committee. demonstrates how patient presentations and their
The masterclasses contextualise the concepts dis- responses to treatment are shaping the development of
cussed within a clinically relevant, logical and systematic management approaches.
framework which can then be adopted and applied by The majority of masterclasses have been written by
the reader to their own practice. For this reason physiotherapists and this reflects the main readership of
illustrations are considered an essential part of the Manual Therapy but authors have also included medical
masterclass in order to fully inform the reader and doctors, researchers, osteopaths, chiropractors and a
indications and contra-indications are provided where podiatrist. Several authors have presented joint papers
relevant to enable the reader to incorporate the concepts with other professionals reflecting the mutiprofessional
presented safely and effectively. To further contextualise nature of the working practices of the authors. Many of
the concepts many authors include a case study to the authors have emanated from Australia, but con-
illustrate the theoretical principles discussed within their tributions have also been published from Canada,
masterclass. If the word limit precludes the inclusion of Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the
a case study within the body of the masterclass, then a United States of America demonstrating the interna-
case study can be submitted as a separate paper tional focus of Manual Therapy.
alongside the masterclass and published on-line only. The popularity of this aspect of the journal can be
Moreover, the masterclasses draw on original research evidenced by examining the most frequent downloads
where available. It is pleasing to observe how the from the website. From January 2007 to April 2008 a
evidence underpinning the themes of the masterclasses number of masterclasses appeared in the top 40 most
has been enhanced over recent years as a greater body of popular downloads. This includes Richardson and Jull
robust findings is available to support practice. Where (1995), O’Sullivan (2000), Magarey and Jones (2003),
evidence does not yet exist, authors will present their Vicenzino (2003), Hoskins and Pollard (2005a, b),
approach based on their substantial clinical experience O’Sullivan (2005), Kerry and Taylor (2006), O’Sullivan
and within a clinical reasoning framework and will often and Beales (2007a, b), Simmonds and Keer (2007).
indicate a focus and direction for future research studies In addition, in 2003 Elsevier commissioned two
in order to further validate the concepts discussed. books, one on peripheral joints and one on the vertebral
1356-689X/$ - see front matter r 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.math.2008.07.004
ARTICLE IN PRESS
374 Editorial / Manual Therapy 13 (2008) 373–374