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Mobilization of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine and Ribs

Instructors

Primary InstructorJohn Duncombe

John Duncombe, PT, CIMT, ART, CSCS, GCS
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Course Description

Registration ButtonThis class focuses on taking an area of the body – the neck, upper back and ribs - and simplifying it so that the therapist feels comfortable treating it. Treatment approaches include Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and direct articulations to the thoracic spine and ribs. The class is evidence based and every technique is repeated multiple times throughout the class so each participant has the chance to learn them well. When you leave this class you will walk away with a comprehensive and strong foundation for treatment of the neck, upper back and ribs.

As with all of our manual therapy courses, this seminar will follow a progression of principles and reinforce them throughout the 16 hours, is at least 75% hands-on lab, and will give the clinician hands-on skills they use immediately upon their return to the clinical setting.

 
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Course Objectives

At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to perform muscle energy technique (MET), along with learning the key elements by which effective muscle energy technique is performed and understanding the neurophysiological mechanism behind MET
  • Clearly state the rationale for doing each cervical, thoracic and rib mobilization and its specific effects
  • Clearly describe the normal and abnormal biomechanics of the specific joints of the upper and lower cervical spine and the thoracic spine
  • Describe the spinal and rib anatomy and be able to correctly palpate the important structures in these regions
  • Demonstrate correct use of testing techniques for the upper and lower cervical spine and the thoracic spine and the ribs
  • Demonstrate the correct application of specific mobilizations to the upper and lower cervical spine and the thoracic spine and ribs
  • Demonstrate, through a systematic approach, how the cervical and thoracic spine and rib complex treatment progression occurs

Topics Covered

  • Overview of the principles of palpation and functional anatomy, etiology of muscle strain/injury, muscle fiber types, and functional synergies
  • Differentiation between muscle action and function
  • Proper palpation technique with specific attention to muscle fiber direction, depth, and contraction
  • Palpation of all relevant muscles of the upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk
  • Instruction for finding the driver of muscle dysfunction
  • Functional exercise for all relevant muscles of the upper extremity, lower extremity and trunk

Course Outline

Saturday
8:00am Registration / Continental Breakfast
8:30am

Lecture: Introduction, Overview of MET and Joint Articulations, Anatomy, Biomechanics, Spinal Kinematics, Types of Dysfunctions, Treatment Principles
10:15am Break
10:30am Lecture: Rib Dysfunctions
11:00am Lab: Cervical- Thoracic screening tests
12:00pm Lunch (on your own)
1:00pm Lab: Thoracic Spine; Type II Flexion and Extendion Lesions
3:00pm Break
3:15pm Lab: Thoracic Spine: Type I Neutral Spine Lesions
4:15pm Lab: Cervical Spine: Type II Lesions
5:00pm Adjourn
Sunday
7:30am Registration / Continental Breakfast
8:00am

Lab: Review of Type II Dysfunctions in Cervical and Thoracic Spine
8:45am Lab: Upper Cervical Screening Tests, AA Jt Dysfunctions
10:00am Break
10:15am Lab: OA Jt Dysfunctions
11:15am Lab: Structural Rib Dysfunctions
12:00pm Lunch (on your own)
1:00pm Lab: Cont. Structural Rib Dysfunctions
2:45pm Break
3:00pm Lab: Respiratory Rib Dysfunctions
3:45pm Case Studies / Speed Mobilizations
4:45pm Review
5:00pm Adjourn

Course Brochure & Registration Form

Download a course brochure.
Download a registration form.