Diploma Program Module Descriptions

Course syllabi, course description, educational objectives, requirements for successful completion, and teaching methods.

Description: This course is designed prepare the therapist in differential diagnosis, biomechanical assessment and manipulation of the wrist, elbow, AC joint and ankle. Attention will be given to selected manual therapy interventions, indications and contraindications. Mobilization techniques will be covered in the two other modules in this series.

Education methods will include: 21-24hrs classroom didactic training and lab. 25 additional hours will be required to review power point material, course manual, videos, and descriptive anatomy material. Written testing and clinical skills assessment will also be performed

Objectives and Requirements for Completion: On completion of the course the therapist will be able to identify the common condition scripts for Ankle, Wrist, and Elbow and AC joint, pass a clinical skills evaluation, and online testing covering the didactic and distribute materials.

Syllabi:

Course materials

• Power point and anatomy manual review: elbow, ankle and wrist and shoulder.
• Online learning material: videos, biomechanics and treatment PPT presentations.
• Manual: Manipulation of Peripheral Joints
• Tests

Classroom Learning : 24 didactic/Lab hours..

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Module II objectives

1. Perform and interpret results of the biomechanical assessment for Peripheral joints.
   1. Interpreting active passive, and resistive testing
   2. Performing and interpreting Passive physiological motion testing
   3. Stability testing of the peripheral joints.
   4. Neurologic testing
   5. Red and yellow flag recognitions and interpretation.
   6. Selected intervention for Condition scripts.
2. Condition Scripts
   1. Identification of typical presentation of selected pathology and subluxations
   2. Apply Hypothesis testing for illness scripts as part of the differential diagnosis
   3. Select and perform appropriate manual therapy intervention based on subjective and objective data.
   4. Select appropriate Interventions: Ther ex, NM reed modalities and HEP for illness scripts
   5. Manual therapy interventions
      1. Apply appropriate manual therapy intervention based on clinical exams
      2. Demonstrate proper technique with manipulation taking into account:
         1. Proper treatment selection
         2. Conjunct rotations
         3. Appropriate force for selected treatment
         4. Evaluation of response to treatment

Course syllabi, course description, educational objectives, requirements for successful completion, and teaching methods.

Description: This course is designed prepare the therapist with an essential background in examination and selection of evidence based interventions for lumbar Spine. Attention will be given to selected manual therapy interventions, indications and contraindications. The student will complete a 6 week online component designed to complement the lab portion of the curriculum.

Education methods will include: 21-24hrs classroom didactic training and lab, review and online testing of course material, course manual, supplemental videos l and at least 25hrs of online guided learning.

Objectives and Requirements for Completion: Upon completion of the course the therapist will be able to identify the common condition scripts for lumbar spine and pelvis, pass a clinical skills evaluation, and online testing covering the didactic and course manual material.

Syllabi:

Module 1

Module I manual: 10hours

1. Clinical Reasoning in Pathoanatomical Diagnosis and Treatment
2. Illness (Condition) Scripts
3. Making the Diagnosis
4. Cognitive Bias and Errors
5. Reducing Bias and Error
6. Clinical Reasoning Methods
7. Algorithms
8. Script focused Deduction
9. The Objective Examination
10. Positive and Negative Examinations .
11. Basis of the Cyriax Examination
12. Inappropriate Conditions
13. Systems Examination
14. General Neuro-musculoskeletal Examination Outline
15. The Scan Examination
16. The Subjective Examination
17. Manual treatments
18. Specific exercises prescriptions
19. Electrotherapy

Module 1 Lumbar	Topics
Anatomy (review), biomechanics and pathomechanics Descriptive Surface Applied	lumbar vertebrae pelvis hip
Conditions (incidence/ prevalence, and presentation when available)	Lumbar disc herniation Lateral stenosis Central stenosis Acute cauda equine syndrome Spondylolisthesis Claudication Segmental dysfunction Systemic arthropathies (AKS, RA, reactive arthritis) Sacroiliitis (systemic, traumatic, microtraumatic) Neoplastic disease Radiculopathy Peripheral neuropathy Myelopathy Osteoporosis Whiplash
Clinical reasoning	Pattern recognition Hypothetic-deduction Illness scripts SFD Bias correction DDx Diagnosis specific treatment Prognosis
Assessment techniques Medical diagnostic Segmental	Scan examination Neurophysiological (multifidus, quadrants) Biomechanical (PPIVMs, translation)
Treatment and management techniques	Specific exercise prescription for above conditions Mechanical and manual traction Pain modulation treatments Low grade mobizations Electrical stimulation Exercises Cryo-thermal Rest and back supports Referral out for medical treatment and investigation Lumbar regional manipulation Rotational specific manipulation Hip manipulation Stabilization therapy Movement rehabilitation therapy
Medical management and investigations for above conditions	X-ray MRI CAT Radio-uptake scans Blood work EEG and nerve conduction studies EKG

 

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Module One Objectives

1. Clinical applications and interpretation of Cyriax clinical exam.
   1. Interpreting active passive, and resistive testing
   2. Performing and interpreting Passive physiological intervertrebral motion testing
   3. Stability testing of the spine.
   4. Neurologic testing
   5. Red and yellow flag recognitions and interpretation.
   6. Selected intervention for Condition scripts.
2. Condition Scripts
   1. Identification of typical presentation of selected pathology for the Lumbar Spine and Pelvis.
   2. Hypothesis testing for specific illness scripts
      1. Spinals stenosis
      2. HNP
      3. Segmental dysfunction
      4. Spinal instability
      5. Visceral, cancers
3. Selected Interventions based on clinical evidence:
   1. Appropriate application of Stabilization techniques
   2. Appropriate application of Therapeutic exercise and PNF
   3. Selected manipulation
      1. Lumbar
      2. Pelvis
   4. Online Course Learning Objectives
      • Understand the application of selective tissue tension testing system to the spine and extremity joints and recognize, interpret and appraise the test results of the following:
        1. contractile and inert tissues lesions
        2. dural and neural mobility problems
        3. spinal cord, spinal nerve and nerve root compression/compromise signs and symptoms
        4. normal and abnormal end feels to motion
        5. capsular and non-capsular patterns of restriction
        6. tendonitis, tendonosis, tenosynovitis and bursitis
        7. resisted/resistive tests
        8. Scanning examinations of the lumbo/sacral spine
           1. A complete and detailed history and systems review
           2. Active, passive & resisted (resistive) tests to determine status of tissues
           3. Routine neuromeningeal tension/mobility tests
           4. Neurological tests of function spinal nerve, nerve root, peripheral nerve
           5. Neurological tests for function of CNS including dynamic stretch reflexes (deep tendon, clonus), nociceptive reflexes (Babinski, Hoffman etc.)
           6. General stress tests (including compression, traction, postero/anterior pressures, general lumbar torsion, sacroiliac, peripheral ligamentous)
           7. Special tests: vertebral artery insufficiency screening, neuromeningeal tests etc.
        9. Recognize the presence of serious or worsening neurological signs
        10. Recognize red and yellow flags
        11. Develop a provisional hypothesis/diagnosis and apply deductive reasoning to rule in or out the hypothesis
        12. Identify and categorize the musculoskeletal structures or functions that require intervention or further examination, including: posture, articular & soft tissue, neurological, dural, vascular and adjacent joints
        13. Apply theories of inflammation and wound repair/healing to deep transverse friction application
        14. Apply the principles of the effect and application of basic spinal exercise principles.

Course syllabi, course description, educational objectives, requirements for successful completion, and teaching methods.

Description: This course is designed to prepare the Physical Therapist in advanced differential diagnosis, biomechanical assessment and treatment of the Cervical Spine. The 6 week online learning will portion will provide a background in descriptive anatomy, Differential diagnosis relevant to the cervical spine and introduce assessment and treatment techniques. Attention will be given to selected manual therapy interventions, indications and contraindications. The 3 day clinical intensive will focus on clinical evaluation and treatment skill covered in the online module.

Education methods will include: 21-24hrs classroom didactic training and lab. At least 25 additional hours will be required to review power point material, course manual, videos, and descriptive anatomy material. Online testing and clinical skills assessment will also be performed

Objectives and requirements for completion: On completion of the course the therapist will be able to identify the common condition scripts for Cervical Spine, pass a clinical skills evaluation, and online test covering the didactic and course manual material with a grade of 80% or better.

Course materials:

• Power point and anatomy manual review: Elbow, Ankle and Wrist.
• Online learning Platform: videos, PPT presentation on biomechanics and treatment.
• Manual: Cervical Spine course manual
• Discussion board

Onsite intensive: 24 didactic/Lab hours.

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Module II objectives

1. Perform and interpret results of the biomechanical assessment for the Cervical spine.
   1. Interpreting active passive, and resistive testing
   2. Performing and interpreting Passive physiological motion testing
   3. Stability testing of the Thoracic spine.
   4. Neurologic testing
   5. Red and yellow flag recognitions and interpretation.
   6. Selected intervention for condition scripts.
2. Condition Scripts
   1. a. Identification of typical presentation of selected pathology and subluxations
   2. Apply Hypothesis testing for illness scripts as part of the differential diagnosis
   3. Select and perform appropriate manual therapy intervention based on subjective and objective data.
   4. Select appropriate Interventions: Ther ex, NM reed modalities and HEP for illness scripts
3. Manual therapy interventions
   1. a. Apply appropriate manual therapy intervention based on clinical exams
   2. Demonstrate proper technique with manipulation taking into account:
      1. Proper treatment selection
      2. Integrate proper neuromuscular reeducation and therapeutic exercise
      3. Appropriate force for selected treatment
      4. Evaluation of response to treatment prescription.