If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you’ve probably heard a thing or two these days about RockStock – our yearly celebration of all things movement. Set on the beautiful shores of Huntington Beach, CA, this year’s conference is sure to provide you with a generous share of sun, sand, and – wait for it – CEUs.
RockStock is more than a mobility conference with a beautiful backdrop, however. RockStock is a movement. A gathering of the best and brightest in the movement industry – all rubbing shoulders and putting their heads together for a common cause. An experience best explained via two of several groundbreaking medical professionals already slated on this year’s docket.
RockTape Medical Director Dr. Steve Capobianco, DC, and Dr. Ethan Kreiswirth, PhD, ATC are two master FMT instructors who never miss a good RockTape mind-mash. Read on for their thoughts regarding what makes RockStock so unique.
Each RockStock festival contains notable talks that highlight a common theme. What was your favorite presentation last year?
Dr. Steve Capobianco: My favorite presentation last year was from Dr. John Campione, DC. He spoke about the role of the sensory system in our ability to move efficiently. Dr. C gave the attendees simple methods of assessing their “blind spot” in the their sensory system and then provided solutions to improve the clarity of these deficits to improve their capacity to move. When someone can provide a “bang for your buck” in a short amount of time that translates — not only to the practitioner but also to the patient — to a tangible solution to a problem… you have a winner in my book.
Dr. Ethan Krieswirth, ATC: I truly enjoyed The Movement Maestro and Dr. Courtney Conley’s presentation on “Building Resistance from the Ground Up and the Top Down.” It was an all-encompassing approach regarding both gait mechanics and brain awareness. They fed off each other well with constructive arguments on daily practice concepts and how techniques could be used in the clinic, gym or home.
What other presentations grabbed your attention?
Capobianco: We always talk about how the mission of changing movement is a complex one. We champion the idea that we are interacting with a “person” attached to the “meat” that we treat/train. The complexity of the individual you are working with impacts the outcome. Brian Nunez presented on the role of the person’s attention level, interest, commitment, and motivation as paramount to the effectiveness of the intervention. I found it to be in alignment with our message/mission; thus, his presentation also struck a chord with me.
Krieswirth: Dr. Campioine’s “Environmental Resilience” was a favorite of mine, too. He demonstrated how to feed the sensory system in order to attain improved motor responses. He also made it tangible for all fitness professionals and clinicians to tap into certain areas of the brain in order to facilitate improved outcomes with clients.
What sets RockStock aside from other industry events?
Capobianco: RockStock is an outlier because it challenges the status quo in the industry. Everyone else has a tendency to deliver great information but doesn’t achieve the goal of making change. What I mean by that is that we (health and fitness professionals) collectively are NOT making a dent on back pain and movement. The general population, as recorded by the Global Burden of Disease data, is only getting sicker, experiencing more pain, and moving less. The information we collect is amazing; don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. The problem is that this information isn’t tangible enough to exercise in the clinical and training sandboxes. How do we convince and motivate our patients/clients to embody the information to make real change? The solution to that problem requires some ‘out of the box’ thinking. RockStock is an event that invites those that are looking for an alternative (but science-informed) way of thinking to address this problem. We take what the basic and applied science is providing and deliver tangible methods of therapy/exercise that can make long-lasting changes to the “PERSON”… not just the “TISSUES.” Once you connect the meaning behind the intervention then you have a person that will own the recommendation for life; that is real change. Understanding, embodiment, autonomy, and meaning — that is what RockStock is all about.
Krieswirth: RockStock is so fun! It’s not your typical stale, dressed-up-evidence-only event on current topics in the industry. It’s casual, beachy, and a drink-friendly learning environment. You meet so many fun people! Such a great way to learn!
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Capobianco: Rapping with my fellow movement folk. It is in the impromptu chats on the beach (another differentiator of this event – not stuck in a conference hall), on the outdoor vendor floor, by the fire pits, or during our awesome evening party where real work is done. It’s when two or more movement geeks get to share ideas, toss around some solutions, and collaborate on a meaningful venture of changing people’s lives.
Krieswirth: Great question! The speaker lineup is great! So many good topics that lead into usable breakout sessions. I can’t wait!!!
About the Interviewees:
Dr. Capobianco holds a B.A. and M.A. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in addition to a doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine. Dr. Capobianco is a practicing sports chiropractor and currently holds a Diplomate in Rehab from the ACA. In addition, he is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner and a Performance Enhancement Specialist with the NASM. He is a master IASTM instructor and certified in Active Release and Graston, which allows him to treat a myriad of musculoskeletal injuries using a combination of hand and tool release therapy.
Dr. Capobianco is the Medical Director for RockTape and a pioneer in evidence-informed education development that challenges the status quo in movement learning. He is the author of the Fascial Movement Taping manual and lectures worldwide on movement-based taping techniques.
Dr. Krieswirth received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and holds a Ph.D. in Athletic Training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. His current research includes the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries among Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters.
Dr. Kreiswirth holds current certifications in the Functional Movement System and Selective Functional Movement Assessment screens. He is also a Professional Rescuer Instructor for the American Red Cross. He has been a contributing author to peer-reviewed journals such as International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, Journal of Athletic Training, and Athletic Training and Sports Health Care.
Need more reasons for attending this year’s festivities or want to register? Check out the official RockStock page or follow RockTape on Instagram!