Freedom’s own Michael Verplancke, DPT, CMTPT, CFC, and I had the pleasure of attending Part 2b in the Installation of the Crafta (Cranio Facial Therapy Academy) program from Germany. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Harry von Piekartz and his educational team, Marisa Hoffmann and others, Michael and I are working towards another certification focused on the Evaluation and Management of temporomandibular disorders, orofacial pain, and Craniofacial Pain. Harry Von Piekartz was our instructor the weekend of March 21-23, 2026, in Bethesda, MD, through Myopain Seminars. Harry did a FANTASTIC job! He is a WEALTH of knowledge!
The CRAFTA-2b course, also known as the “Clinical Management of Temporomandibular & Craniofacial Dysfunctions and Pain,” continues the CRAFTA-2a course. It includes an update on pain mapping and functional differentiation of TMD, including specific manual provocation tests.
As students, we learned • specific clinical patterns of Functional Temporomandibular Instability (FTMI) • the anatomy and physiology of functional dysphonia • different causes of toothache • neuromusculoskeletal tests and rehabilitation strategies for these conditions.
Furthermore, students will expand their knowledge of facial paresis and learn more about specific consequences of altered cerebral processing, including facial body disruption. Attention will be paid to the clinical classification of craniofacial neuropathies and craniofacial pain management strategies.
This advanced-level course also includes assessing and managing the maxillofacial complex in adults, but especially in children, including facial cranial techniques in combination with functional facial organ training.
Challenging case studies will be presented throughout the course, and hypotheses of pain mechanisms and clinical reasoning strategies will be explored in group activities. The Crafta program also provides an extensive and vast educational component on understanding all the NeuroCranial System, the cranial nerves, their pathways, proposed entrapments and dysfunctions, and potential manual treatment interventions.
Mike and I had a great time, learned a ton, and felt privileged and honored to be surrounded by so much talent and passion in one room for the betterment of patient care from those suffering from Orofacial Pain! A big Thank You to Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT – President/CEO of Myopain Seminars for hosting this program and bringing Harry and his team to the USA!
We look forward to our continued Crafta Journey! Harry and Team, thank you for making the journey to the US of A!
