Andrea Antinori
A. Antinori - A course that enhances your professional skills with practical tools for clinical reasoning and an evidence-based approach
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Andrea Antinori, a physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal care and pelvic floor rehabilitation, shares her thoughts on the Master of Advanced Studies in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy. She explains why she chose to complete the entire programme and which organisational and educational aspects made her participation easier. An experience that has allowed her to view the role of a physiotherapist with a fresh perspective.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I am a physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal care and pelvic floor rehabilitation. My work focuses primarily on pain management, using a holistic approach that combines manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, pain education and principles of mindfulness. Alongside this, I am involved in training and public outreach, with the aim of making complex concepts accessible to patients.
Why did you choose to enrol on the MAS in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy?
I began the MAS programme with the aim of becoming an IMTA teacher (the association responsible for providing training courses in neuromusculoskeletal management based on the principles of the Maitland® Concept). However, right from the very first modules, the MAS programme in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy won me over, offering me much more than I had expected: a course capable of strengthening clinical reasoning skills and consolidating a truly evidence-based approach.
The MAS is organised into progressive, specialist modules: how has this modular structure helped you in your training?
The modular structure allowed me to gradually build on my skills and, over time, enrich my ‘toolbox’ with practical tools, whilst also offering the opportunity to forge strong links between the various topics, enabling me to apply them immediately in clinical practice. Some topics were revisited several times, but from different and complementary perspectives: a repetition which, in my opinion, proved to be of great value. In particular, the in-depth exploration of the topic of pain and its management dynamics represented a turning point in my clinical practice.
How much did you appreciate the flexibility of this course? In what way did it make it easier for you to take part?
I really appreciated the flexibility of the programme, both in terms of the timetable and the workload. This allowed me to balance my studies with my clinical work and personal life, whilst maintaining continuity and engagement with the course.
Is there anything that has helped you see your role as a physiotherapist in a new light?
The opportunity to engage with high-profile lecturers and colleagues was a significant added value of this programme. Interacting with professionals in the same field, yet with different approaches and perspectives, has enabled me to broaden my understanding of the profession. In particular, the topic of pain and its management has significantly influenced the way I work in a clinical setting. The MAS has helped me to strengthen my clinical reasoning and develop more structured interventions, emphasising the importance of communication and the patient’s active involvement in the therapeutic process. These aspects have helped to make my practice more informed, effective and person-centred.