Academy Of Functional Exercise
Medicine
AFEM

Making Medicine and Exercise Healthy
for People and Communities

 

 

  

We are an international organization providing:

  • Evidence based education
  • Training and support to teach people and communities how to be healthy in body and actions
  • Internationally attended master classes and hands-on workshops for the public, and post-graduate studies for physicians and health professionals
  • Certifications for physicians, allied health, physical therapists, fitness instructors, massage professionals, and the public
  • Recognition to those completing certification studies
  • Networking and referral to Academy practitioners and certified students
  • Awards to thank, recognize, and support those using this work to help the world
  • Fellow advancement for physicians and researchers - FAFEM
  • We are non-sectarian and dedicated to peace and health of all
  • We accept no advertising from unhealthful health and sports products
  • Part of course tuitions go to medical research, charity, and elderly help
  • We continually add programs, please check back. Logo design contest in progress, see below

 

What Is

Functional Exercise

and

Functional Exercise Medicine?

  

 

  • Not all exercise is good medicine. Not all medicine is healthy. We change that.
  • Strengthening and stretching do not automatically change posture or joint damaging movement habits, or train movement used in real life. Retraining daily life movement habits to be built-in health care is an exciting change in fitness and health.
  • Conventional injurious exercises and habits are retrained to stop sources of pain, and restore ability to do more, not limiting the person to limit the pain or separating daily life from fitness. If you have to change clothes and stop your life to rehab injuries or get healthy, how are you supposed to live a pain-free, healthy real life? The same healthful movement is used for how you move at home, work, recreation - are you sitting in healthful position right now to read this?
  • We teach individuals and groups healthy biomechanics habits for daily life instead of injury-producing habits, good food instead of disease-causing food, healthier training for high level athletes and military, healthier medical practices for the sick, no cost preventive medicine, "green" fitness, and healthier mindset. No need for commercial exercise equipment or supplements. Living a healthy life becomes inexpensive, simple, self-empowering, "green," and fun.
 
  

A Welcome From
Mr. Jim Morris, Mr. America
Academy Practitioner

                        

                       Mr. Jim Morris writes on his Academy Appointment:

"Dr. Bookspan,

"I am so thrilled to be so honored.

"The Academy is the “missing voice” in the litany of exercise noise.

"The goal of improving daily life should be foremost in our priorities. Just as an athlete perfects a movement we should continually be looking to better those things we do constantly.

"As always you are at the forefront of thinking and implementing. Congratulations on the new Academy and the best of luck with it. I am honored to be placed in so exalted a position and shall cherish it."

Jim

 

 

Resources

and

Fun Stuff

 

  • Workshops and seminars. World Congresses and concentrated opportunities to attend certificate-bearing seminars in locations around the world. Scholarships available for elderly, Native Americans, Indigenous people wanting to preserve their cultures in healthy ways, and children at risk. Class schedules are updated on the CLASS page.
  • Recognition for students completing certification classes - Academy Certified Students.
  • Network to Academy practitioners - Academy Practitioners.
  • Offices in the US and abroad.
  • The Fitness Fixer. Fun, intelligent information to change the entire idea of exercising and health for the better The Fitness Fixer. New techniques each week.
  • Index of free health and rehab articles, hundreds of topics. Fitness Fixer Index.
  • Summary Reference Articles. Step-by-step instructions for fixing common injuries. Click the clinical page.
  • Success Stories. Step-by-step histories how patients fixed a variety of injuries, and restored happy, pain free lives using these methods - Fitness Fixer Reader Inspiring Stories.
  • Non-profit status for Academy programs, and professional liability insurance for certified members - In the works.
  • Books.   Fun, easy to read, immediately helpful, all techniques together in one source books.
  • T-shirts and Back Savers. Fun reminders for spine health - mugs showing neck health during extension (drinking), bags that teach carrying, mouse pads reminding sitting posture. Of course, portions of proceeds go to scholarships and charity. Get and give Uncommon Sense gifts on the Academy GIfts page.
 
  

 

What

Students

Say

  

 

  •  Dr. Bookspan is the "St. Jude of the Joints. If there is a way for you to get better, she'll find it.
    - Dr. James Mann, Surgeon Podiatrist, Joslin Clinic Harvard School of Medicine.

 

  •  When I registered in this workshop I didn’t know how much information I lacked
    despite my BA license in sports and my long experience. I advise everyone to join the Academy.
    - Sandra Basbous, Fitness Supervisor, Panacea Health Club, Beirut Lebanon.

 

 

 

The

Academy

Brains, Brawn, Function, Fun

  

 

  • The Academy is a US based organization with offices abroad.

  • Founding Director of the Academy is Dr. Jolie Bookspan.

  • Mr. George Nakhlé of the Royal Order of Physiotherapists heads the Lebanon office.
    Achrafieh facing the main gate of Hotel Dieu Hospital
    George Nakhlé Tel: 00 961 3 625453
    iafSportsMed@yahoo.com

  • The Fitness Fixer health blog post New International Academy tells more of the history and plans.

 

Awards
and Hall of Fame

Award design by
Alessandro Schiavone

 

  • The Academy gives annual awards to thank, recognize, and support
    those who make the world healthier.
  • (The Academy Awards!)
  • Send us your inspirational stories.

 

How To

Be

Involved

  

 

  • Add your good ideas and talents. To send suggestions or become part of this organization, let us know. Be prepared to have fun and use your brain.
  • LOGO contest. Design the Academy logos - including Certifications, Fellow Advancement, and the main logo for the Academy itself. Credit to the designer remains. Logo designs should be simple,and incorporate concepts of brains, functional strength, and world care. Other concepts and ideas welcome. Send Logo ideas.
  • Take our classes. Learn how to bring healthful techniques back to your fitness rehab and medical centers, and also to orphanages, Indian Reservations, elder communities, impoverished communities, the World. Schedule of classes.
  • Become certified through the Academy.
  • Membership. There are no membership dues, just membership "do's" - To be a member, you DO need to be good, and do good. Welcome. Your membership will be good as long as you are. More on membership, and Membership Card down-loadable from this site, coming soon. WATCH THIS SPACE.
  • Learn and promote functional health with UNcommon sense gifts from the Academy.
  • Send in your success stories using our methods for a smart healthy happy life.
  • Make donations to support scholarships and materials. Be a hero. Contact us.
 
  
                

ACADEMY Instructor Mr. Nakhlé and model both demonstrate the forward head, a widespread source of upper body pain syndromes.
Take our seminars to learn how to reverse this injury.

        NEXT - see the student and practitioner page


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