The Art and Science of Palpation in Therapy

In this episode of The Control Yourself Podcast, Dr. Andreo Spina is joined by fellow FRS instructor Dr. John Saratsiotis for a focused deep dive into palpation—what it is, what it isn’t, and how it fits into the broader Functional Range Systems approach. 

Together, they break down some of the most common misconceptions surrounding manual therapy, including the long-standing myth that therapists are “breaking up” scar tissue with their hands. Instead, the conversation shifts toward a more nuanced and evidence-based understanding of how touch and tension serve as inputs that can guide tissue adaptation—when applied with intent.

They discuss:

• The role of palpation as a diagnostic skill
• Why most injuries happen in “normal” ranges—not end range
• How reference structures act like anatomical landmarks for tissue assessment
• The physiological basis of mechanotransduction and why it matters
• How FRC® practitioners and FR® clinicians alike can sequence inputs for lasting change

Whether you’re using palpation to enhance movement assessment or refine your hands-on interventions, this episode is packed with practical insight and clinical gems you can bring straight to the mat, the gym, or the treatment table.

🎧 Stream it now and elevate how you feel, interpret, and influence human tissue.

     Full episode also available on YouTube.