Evaluation and Manual Therapy of the Cervical Spine, Thoracic Spine, and Ribs

Course description:

This course is geared toward those in an orthopedic and sports therapy environment, with a focus on physical therapists, but has applications for physical therapist assistants, athletic trainers, and exercise specialists working within this area on a physical therapy team. This is an intermediate (residency) level course with a focus on the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to perform safe, efficient, effective, and thorough examination, evaluation, and treatment of the cervical and thoracic spine, and ribs. Throughout this course we will focus on the therapist’s ability to critically think and differentially diagnose conditions of the cervical and thoracic spine, and ribs in order to determine appropriateness for participation in therapy, as well as possible need for referral to other medical providers. We will highlight the importance of considering an ICF model approach to a patient’s overall condition and learning to utilize eclectic treatment approaches with a foundation of evidence to provide the most complete management and plan of care. Participants will use knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and movement sciences to develop the most appropriate treatment approach to restore optimal function and prevent future anticipated problems. A large portion of this course will be lab based, with demonstration, practice, and application of assessment and manual therapy techniques of the cervical and thoracic spine, and ribs.

Evaluation and Manual Therapy of the Shoulder Girdle

Course Description:

This is a workshop style course focusing on application and integration of current best evidence (from pre-reading) into real-life practical evaluation and treatment of the upper extremity at TJC. This course will include exercise concepts and techniques from the upper extremity fellowship curriculum.

We will build on the concepts taught in previous Modules to work through multiple cases from intake to outcome measurement while covering the examination skills and practical manual skills for the upper extremity.