"Listening", on the surface, appears to be a simple evaluation tool. We are left with this notion because of the "simple" way in which it is taught in VM1.

However, listening is anything but a simple evaluation tool.

Listening, in all its forms (general, local and extended listening) is a comple process of evaluation used in manual therapy in order to precisely locate a tension within the body. Although every manual therapist utilizes this skill of listening in order to "interact" with their patient not every one has a cohesive concept of what it is they are actually doing. When asked what it is that they are doing, some therapists will define this within the structure of their individual paradigms. Some will say they are guided by intuition. Some manual therapists will rely mostly on what they see, their observation of the patient; one shoulder higher than the other, asymmetrical gate, irregular breathing pattern.

So, how am I able to validate the accuracy of my listening?