Understand the why behind HODA-A — and why it’s changing everything.
This short course gives you a high-level overview of HODA-A, the science behind touch, and why hands-on data acquisition is essential in modern healthcare.
Build essential skills in touch perception, sensory calibration, and neurophysiological understanding.
This level lays the groundwork for clinical excellence. You’ll explore how your brain interprets touch, why accuracy in palpation is so elusive, and how to begin calibrating your hands to gather meaningful data from human tissue.
HODA-A is built on:
A Ph.D. in tactile sensorimotor measurement
20 years of evidence-based research
14,000 people studied
Peer-Reviewed publications
Evidence-based measurement theory
Global teaching across all practitioners in MSK Healthcare
HODA-A = Gold Standard Hands-On.
“After listening to Jo’s presentation, I am more focused on trying to critically evaluate my own practical assessment techniques in an attempt to add validity and reliability to my findings, and therefore improve the quality of service I offer to my clients.“
“The idea of this research project impressed me much at the very beginning because the accuracy and validity of palpation are the keystones of manual therapy. Our professional education is waiting for a quantifiable standard on palpation as well as other physical tests. This research project will make a new page on the development of training and clinical practice and our profession.”
“Jo’s research is remarkable in that it explores dimensions of manual therapy that practitioners have pondered and discussed for decades, but not actually identified or quantified. I suspect her results will be a noteworthy addition to how manual therapy is conceptualized and taught in the future—perhaps across disciplines.”
“At last, with HODA-A, a framework and language to describe a gold standard for hands on clinical assessment that challenges the simplification of hands-on practise previously assumed in research, and presents great opportunity to positively impact future education, especially in nurturing new and returning practitioners within and across professions – let the fun begin!”
“Finally research that resonates with how we actually practice as manual therapists; that takes in all the nuances of what we do beyond just taking in information from our mechanoreceptors. I’m very excited to see where this leads; what research stems from this, how it evolves our teaching methods, and how it changes the landscape of rehabilitation.”
“Finally, a study that makes sense of what I feel logically and intuitively when I put my hands on my patients as I try to sort out their issues. I am blown away.”
“HODA-A is giving musculoskeletal healthcare professionals a clear framework explaining what happens during active touch; something that science has failed to do before.”
“The importance of valid and reliable manual assessments in evaluating and treatment to achieve a stable jaw ( TMJ) and normal oromyofacial function such as swallowing and breathing are fundamental in helping a huge variety of patients suffering with various dysfunctions, disabilities and chronic pain.”
“PARs Defect (fracture of spine) 2006 was a summer of playing lots of tennis tournaments, many matches back-to-back. Kat’s serve was poor as her...
“Jo’s research is remarkable in that it explores dimensions of manual therapy that practitioners have pondered and discussed for decades, but not actually identified...
“The idea of this research project impressed me much at the very beginning because the accuracy and validity of palpation are the keystones of...
“After listening to Jo’s presentation, I am more focused on trying to critically evaluate my own practical assessment techniques in an attempt to add...
“The importance of valid and reliable manual assessments in evaluating and treatment to achieve a stable jaw ( TMJ) and normal oromyofacial function such...
“HODA-A is giving musculoskeletal healthcare professionals a clear framework explaining what happens during active touch; something that science has failed to do before.”
“I joined HODA-A expecting general CPD. What I got was a complete recalibration of how I use my senses in clinical practice. I didn’t...
“Finally, a study that makes sense of what I feel logically and intuitively when I put my hands on my patients as I try...
“I’ve taken a lot of courses, but HODA-A stands out as the most scientifically grounded and clinically applicable training I have ever attended. Jo’s...
“As a chiropractor, hands are everything. But I realised very quickly during Level 1 that I had never been taught how to calibrate them...
“Most courses teach you what to feel. HODA-A teaches you how you feel — and the difference is enormous. The cross-model sensory calibration labs...
“Finally research that resonates with how we actually practice as manual therapists; that takes in all the nuances of what we do beyond just...
“I’ve been a physio for 18 years, and nothing — absolutely nothing — has improved my hands-on reliability like HODA-A. The measurement theories opened...
