I had my MFT test at NHI today. It was a make-up test, as the test was originally administered when I was up at Lazy Bear Weekend. Fortunately, I had pre-arranged with the school for this absence. Since I did that, I didn’t lose a letter grade on the test. 
Albadger was my client for the test, and he was a great client. We were tested on two body parts: back, hips, or abdomen. I chose back and hips to be the parts I worked on, and came up with a strategy that would allow me to do all my work side-lying, which is a very comfortable position to be in for an hour of deep work. As it happens, Albadger presented with some of the symptoms I had strategized about, so doing the particular work I did was helpful to him!
So, the instructor graded me - this particular test is a test of one’s assessment and strategy skills, as well as testing how well you apply your knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology to the signs the client shows. You had to pick two range of motion and two posture issues for the body parts you worked on, so I had the client have lateral flexion to the left in his standing posture, and to have his left hip be laterally flexed as well when checking the hip posture. Also, I had him have limited range of motion in right lateral flexion and left hip flexion. All of those thing would dictate that I do work on the left side of his body, as posture issues suggest the agonist muscles and range of motion issues suggest antagonist muscles.
This test also tests how well you establish rapport with your client, using lay terms to communicate with him, and using technical language to communicate with the instructor to explain what you found, what you are doing, and why. Also, it’s a measure of body mechanics, feng shui (draping, orderliness of the space, etc), and sensitivity of touch. You have to demonstrate the two strokes on the instructor’s arm: Longitudinal Release (slack-sink-stroke) and Cross-fiber Friction (s-s-s as well as sawing). Both types of strokes require very sensitive touch, as well as very intense focus on body mechanics. They are very short strokes, but with a lot of pressure and depth, so being clumsy or careless with body mechanics can be dangerous to both therapist and client.
Everything went very well, and I received 63 out of 66 points. The three points off were for fairly minor things - the instructor even said she had to look pretty hard to find those, so I’m happy! Hooray for maintaining my 4.0 GPA!
After the test, I took Albadger to lunch at the Emery Bay Public Market where we had Indian food to celebrate.
Nap time now, then the Lone Star and Eagle later to raise a toast!
