Walt Fritz

Since beginning work as a manual therapy educator in the mid-1990s, US-based physical therapist Walt Fritz has more recently evolved into teaching a unique interpretation of manual therapy for speech-language pathologists, registered dental hygienists, voice professionals, and related communities.

His approach advances views of causation and impact from historical tissue-specific models into a multifactorial narrative, leaning heavily on biopsychosocial influences.

His principles apply to a broad spectrum of intervention models using a model of evaluation and intervention that incorporates shared decision-making rather than clinician-as-expert.

Unlike traditional laryngeal and soft tissue manipulation, Walt offers the clinician and patient a more subtle approach, one often much better tolerated, aligning well with newer research findings and allowing the patient to frame the intervention from their preferences and values.

Seeing the utility of manual therapy not as a standalone treatment but as an integral part of clinicians’ more extensive body of work, Walt makes his approach easily assimilated into those treatment protocols.

Walt presents his workshops internationally through his Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars, and website, and maintains a physical therapy practice in Upstate, NY, USA.