The course will cover the anatomical and
functional basis to the evaluation of pain disorders of the peripheral joints.
Of special interest will be clinical practice, emphasizing clinical
examination, evaluation, interpretation, differential diagnosis and treatment.
This course will be conducted in lecture,
tutorial and workshop format for the clinician or academic who is interested in
manual therapy, manual medicine or musculoskeletal medicine. It is anticipated
that the course content will be suitable to individuals who are seeking new
knowledge, to individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and to those
individuals seeking the stimulation of clinical interaction. Whilst the course
will be presented at a high level this should not be seen as a barrier to
participation for those with little or with no previous experience in this
special area. As a result of attending the course it is anticipated that
participants will gain personal satisfaction as in a variety of ways that will
enhance their individual requirements. There are therefore no pre-requisites
for participation
1. Relevant anatomy, pathoanatomy, and
biomechanics of the peripheral joints.
2. Regional assessment of the shoulder, elbow,
wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot
•
Analyse posture types and the relationship of posture type to normal movement
and specific dysfunction
•
Movement analysis and how this relates to specific dysfunction
•
Clinical pattern recognition
•
Clinical reasoning
•
Physical examination procedures aimed at the joint, neural and muscle systems
•
Use of case histories, written and role-play
•
Technique demonstration with closely supervised practical sessions
•
Clinical technique application
3. Development of appropriate diagnostic
specific treatment strategies and appropriate treatment technique application
Course Philosophy
This manual therapy programme is aimed at
merging the examination of the joint, muscle and neural systems into an
integrated wholistic examination procedure. We place strong emphasis on teaching
clinicians the ability to perform an accurate and specific manual therapy
examination.
The examination and treatment approach is
eclectic, based on a range of different concepts and ideas.
Joint System
As part of the assessment of the joint system we
aim to teach a range of passive motion testing procedures. Identification of
joint hypo/hyper mobility is an important step in identifying patients likely
to respond to manual mobilization. Joints with impaired movement can be treated
with a range of mobilization techniques including mobilization with movement.
Neural System
Neural tissue dysfunction is an important aspect
of the physical examination. A comprehensive overview of neural tissue pain
disorders is presented before assessment procedures and differential diagnosis
for 3 types of neural dysfunction, neuropathic pain with sensory
hypersensitivity, peripheral nerve sensitization and denervation (axonal
compromise). Assessment to distinguish these problems will be demonstrated and
practiced. The clinical relevance of distinguishing these different types of
disorders will be presented, particularly in relation to management. Common
peripheral neural disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel
syndrome, supinator tunnel syndrome, piriformis syndrome etc will be addressed
during the course.
Muscle System
An emphasis of this programme is a
functional approach to the assessment of the muscle control system. As well we
address the theoretical concept of “core stability”. Recent research appears to
be downplaying the importance of “core stability” in both spinal and peripheral
pain disorders. It is important to recognize that not all patients require
motor control retraining. There is ample evidence to suggest that only a small
proportion of patient have instability. Treating all recurring pain disorders
with “core strengthening” is not appropriate and the literature shows this does
not work. Determining which patients need a muscle retaining approach is an
important part of this programme. A systematic graded, functional approach to
the management of patients with motor control impairment will be taught.
A core principle of the programme is the ongoing
analysis of the examination findings from the subjective and physical
examination procedures. To ascertain an appropriate manual therapy diagnosis
critical analysis is developed through clinical reasoning applied to specific
case studies.
This programme does not provide the participants
with a recipe approach to treatment. Students will be able to develop though
sound methodology, appropriate treatment strategies with logical progression
over time.
Aims
At the completion of the 6-day program the
participants will:
•
Be proficient in applying peripheral joint, neural and muscle examination
procedures
•
Be proficient in determining a differential diagnosis based on an integrated
examination of the joint, muscle and neural systems
•
Be able to formulate the most appropriate and effective treatment program
suitable for the assessed condition
•
Be proficient in applying an appropriate manual therapy treatment strategy
incorporating manual treatment techniques and specific exercise
Participants
There is no pre-requisite in terms of manual
therapy experience. The programme offers a high level of information and
clinical expertise, providing all participants regardless of previous clinical
experience and knowledge with a stimulating learning environment. Previous
programme participants have recommended the Certificate in Spinal Manual
Therapy. They have reported excellent feedback in terms of material content,
presenters’ knowledge, and practical supervision.
Presenters
Kim Robinson is a Specialist Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapist who is an internationally respected teacher of manual therapy. Kim was accepted into the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2007, the
highest level of professional recognition in Australia. Kim is partly based at
Curtin University, Perth Western Australia, where he holds the position of
Adjunct Senior Teaching Fellow. Kim has many years experience of teaching
manual therapy at a postgraduate level, lecturing in many countries on aspects
of manual therapy. Further details of his publications and teaching experience can
be seen on Manual Concepts website.