Best Practices When Hiring an FP Practitioner

A legitimate FP session focuses on assessment, movement coaching, and exercise programming based on the FP methodology. Your practitioner should be explaining what you’re doing and why, demonstrating movements, and guiding you verbally and visually through the process.

FP may include self‑applied myofascial release (MFR) using tools such as balls, rollers, or similar implements. Your practitioner can show you how to use these tools on yourself; they are not trained or authorized to perform MFR or manual therapy on your body.

FP practitioners are not permitted to: provide massage, perform manual therapy, or conduct any kind of hands‑on manipulation as part of FP training sessions.

FP does not require a practitioner to touch your private or sensitive areas (such as genitals, breasts, or buttocks), and such contact is not part of the FP method or curriculum. If anyone suggests this type of touching is necessary for FP, they are acting outside FP guidelines.

You should be cautious and consider ending the session and reporting the issue if:

• A practitioner insists that touching you, especially in private or sensitive areas, is required for FP training.
• The session feels more like massage or hands‑on treatment than coaching, education, and movement training.
• You feel pressured to undress beyond what is reasonably necessary for exercise or movement assessment.

To confirm that a practitioner is recognized by FP and in good standing, always check that they have a valid FP verification link showing current certification status. If they cannot provide this, they may not be authorized to represent FP.

If you ever feel uncomfortable, or believe a practitioner is misrepresenting FP or acting outside FP guidelines, please stop the session and contact us at fppolicy@functionalpatterns.com. When possible, include the practitioner’s name, location, a brief description of what happened, and any relevant screenshots or evidence.