A Manual Therapy Approach to Treatment of Headaches
Course Description
This one-day class focuses on taking a very common condition that is not commonly treated by therapists – headaches - and showing clinicians how to become comfortable treating it.
Treatment approaches include Muscle Energy Technique (MET) to the cervical spine, myofascial release to the neck and head, posture retraining and review of other causes / treatment in a comprehensive approach. 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 head and neck.
As with all of our manual therapy courses, this seminar will follow a progression of principles and reinforce them throughout the seminar, 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.
Headache Schedule
Course Objectives
At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:
- Correctly differentiate 4 characteristics of musculoskeletal headaches from other causes
- Identify 4 different referral patterns by vertebral level
- Identify 5 different referral patterns by muscle
- Demonstrate the ability to complete 6 mobilizations of the cervical spine
- Demonstrate the ability to treat 5 myofascial dysfunctions in muscles most commonly causing headache
- Demonstrate the ability to correct 4 mechanical dysfunctions leading to muscle and joint dysfunctions
Course Instructors
Stacy Wozniak
PT, DPT, CIMT
Stacy received her doctorate of physical therapy degree from Grand Valley State University. Participating in lifelong learning, Stacy has become a Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT) and continues her education throughout different areas of manual therapy. Stacy uses a variety of techniques such as manual therapy, joint and soft tissue mobilization, muscle energy and functional exercise to help return her patients to the highest level of function. Stacy is also the Center Coordinator of Clinical Education for Probility. Stacy also has assisted with teaching continuing education classes across the nation. She enjoys working with a variety of patients including athletes and children. Stacy’s interests include spending time with family and friends, playing tennis and volleyball, and traveling.
Course Outline
Saturday
Continental Breakfast
Lecture: HA classification, cause of musculoskeletal HA, subjective data, muscle referral patterns, nerve patterns, objective measures
Lab: Myofascial release to the head and neck
Lunch (on your own)
Lab: Myofascial release to the head and neck
Lab: Muscle energy technique for mobilizations of the neck
Lab: Re-educate/exercise
Lab: Hands-on review of each MFR and MET technique learned
Adjourn