BayGrass Institute - Manual Therapy Instruction

Unsure of what Manual Therapy is and its benefits?

Inspired By Tradition & Innovation

The BayGrass Institute provides licensed or certified healthcare providers with continuing education in the many areas of manual therapy through interactive and hands-on sessions.

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Upcoming Classes

We offer a wide range of high quality classes with a hands-on approach.

Fascia: New Insights for Your Manual Therapy Practice

September 26-27, 2026
This class will highlight the new understanding of what fascia is and the debate surrounding it, the physiological activity that occurs at the cell-extracellular matrix interface, and how these factors affect pain, freedom of motion, body physiology, and overall health. Our focus will be on how manual therapy can positively affect all of these factors, especially when viewed through the lens of biotensegrity, and which techniques are the most appropriate depending on your desired treatment goals.

Pelvis: An Integrated Manual Therapy Approach

December 5-6, 2026
Previous BayGrass Institute courses have discussed how to treat biomechanical somatic dysfunctions in the pelvis and lumbar spine; visceral restrictions and autonomic nervous system imbalances involving the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems; and the physiological role of the pelvis in the dynamics of fluid pumping and drainage. This course will expand those discussions and explain how successful treatment of dysfunctions in this region require an integrated approach.

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Instructors

Jon Laking, M.A., P.T.Founder

Jon Laking founded his private practice, Laking Therapy Services, in 1997 and has served as a clinical instructor and faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Jon earned a B.S. in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a M.A. in Kinesiology at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Robert Cohen, M.A., P.T.Founder

Bob Cohen has been in private practice since 1996, helping patients achieve treatment success by working together to develop a program specific to their needs. Bob earned a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a M.A. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Testimonials

Excellent class! It really helped me to collect all the pieces and put them together.

John L.

I can’t thank you both enough for your outstanding teaching, patience, and guidance. This class really helped me develop a WHY for all treatments.

Heather K.

Excellent course with well-presented information. Will need to practice techniques, particularly with pediatric patients, but very applicable information! That you!!

Laura A.

Bob and Jon you are amazing teachers. Thanks for a great course!

Christine B.

Thank you very much! The course was great. It provided a much needed review of biomechanics and pathology. I will definitely use the techniques starting next week.

Elizabeth F.

Thank you so much! This course really challenged me and my thought processes. It left me with a lot to think about! And practice!

Erin M.

Fabulous review of anatomy. Best Binder – Easy to follow and comprehensive.

Anonymous

Thank you for imparting such complex course material in such an organized and demonstratively clear way. I learned much from the functional testing and techniques that were demonstrated.

Laura D.

As always you’ve lived up to my expectations and then some.

Michael H.

I can’t thank you both enough for your patience, way you make things easy and understandable!! I am so grateful!

Heather K.

Such important information delivered in a manner that makes sense and can be used with so many patients. I have much better understanding of how manual work addresses health at the cellular level!

Janice L.

Bob and Jon did an excellent job breaking down the anatomy, assessment, and treatment of the cervical spine.

Perry T.

BayGrass Institute courses are stellar. The information is always anatomically and physiologically supported. Palpation techniques and treatment techniques are immediately applicable. This is a course that honors and respects patient care and the instructors are clearly thoughtful clinicians and teachers.

Stephanie T.

I have never seen techniques presented for the foot that actually work! Great combinations of lab time and lecture. Foot mechanics explained in a learnable fashion. Amazing instructors.

Rowena O.

Appreciated the anatomy and biomechanical review as well as the thorough techniques learned.

Kathie F.

The course was challenging, but being exposed to new information will definitely improve my craft.

Judy A.

The hands-on portion accompanying the lecture theory is a great tool to practice and see this work in action.

John L.

Wellness Blog

Covering topics from class recaps to improving daily life.

Headaches: Manual Therapy Treatment of Common Causes – Class Recap

Headaches: Manual Therapy Treatment of Common Causes – Class Recap

During our recent session – Headaches: Manual Therapy Treatment of Common Causes, we discussed the primary types of headaches seen in clinical practice, the physiology [...]

Integrated Thorax Class Recap

Integrated Thorax Class Recap

During our recent session – An Integrated Approach to Treatment of the Thorax – Biomechanical, Visceral, and Autonomic Concepts, we took an in-depth look at [...]