Tailoring Treatment of Cervical Pain to the Patient: Integration of Patient Education, Manual Therapy and Motor

Title: Tailoring Treatment of Cervical Pain to the Patient: Integration of Patient Education, Manual Therapy and Motor Control

Instructor:   Dr. Paul Reuteman PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

WPTA Approval: Course has been approved for 15 CEU’s by WPTA (#CEUL048505)

Course Description:

The emphasis of this course will be on applying evidence-based practice to clinical decision-making strategies for the examination and management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical region. A systematic examination process will be presented that will guide the clinician to effectively categorize patients into impairment-based classifications. Clinical reasoning strategies will be presented to identify best intervention strategies for each classification. To facilitate learning, lab time will be used to instruct and practice several examination procedures, patient education strategies, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises and motor control activities.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the diagnostic classifications of the cervical region and how to uniquely evaluate and treat each classification

• Apply standardized and differentiating elements of an examination to identify pattern recognition of different diagnostic classifications.

• Integrate effective patient education in the intervention of individuals with cervical conditions, especially those with altered cognition and/or personal beliefs about their condition.

• Demonstrate psychomotor competency when performing different cervical and upper thoracic examination procedures, manual therapy techniques and motor control activities

• Formulate an opinion on the value of several different interventions and how, when properly matched with the patient, may enhance outcomes of care for patients with neck pain.

Course Schedule:

Pre-Course Instruction

Online course content will be provided for you to view PRIOR to Friday evening on our Moodle Learning Platform. This content will consist of the following:

· Introduction of diagnostic classification categories of the cervical region

· Medical screening of the cervical region.

· Standardized and differentiating elements of the cervical examination.

· (Est completion time of 3 hours)

Friday

5 pm to 9 pm (15 to 20-minute break in the middle of the session)

• Effective physical therapy intervention strategies for patients with cognitive/affective issues associated with cervical pain. (Lecture and lab)
• Effective physical therapy interventions including manual therapy and patient self-management strategies to address joint and soft tissue mobility deficits of the mid cervical and upper thoracic region (Lab)
• Wrap up and questions

Saturday

8 am to 12 noon (15-minute break in the middle of the morning session)

• Review material from day 1including round robin practice sessions.
• Effective physical therapy interventions including manual therapy and patient self-management strategies for patients with upper cervical dysfunction and associated cervicogenic headaches (Lab)
• Effective physical therapy interventions for patients with motor control dysfunction of the upper/mid cervical and upper thoracic region. (Lab)

12 noon to 1 pm– Lunch

1 pm to 5 pm (15-minute break in the middle of the morning session)

• Continue with interventions for patients with motor control dysfunction of the upper/mid cervical and upper thoracic region. (Lab)
• Effective physical therapy interventions for patients with neck pain with radiating pain (i.e.: discogenic related pain and altered neurodynamics) (Lab)
• Round Robin Practice
• Wrap-up, discussion, review of overarching themes and completion of course evaluations.

Instructor:

Dr. Paul Reuteman PT, DPT, MHS, OCS, ATC is a Clinical Professor in the Program of Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. His primary teaching responsibilities include musculoskeletal examination and intervention principles, clinical-decision making and clinical radiology. He maintains an active clinical practice affiliated with Riverside Corporate Wellness in La Crosse. Dr. Reuteman is the co-founder of Specialized Physical Therapy Education and is the Program Director and Instructor of their Orthopedic Residency Program. He also serves as faculty of Gundersen Healthcare Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program in Onalaska, WI. His credentials include being a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS, is credentialed through the McKenzie Institute and is a board certified Athletic Trainer from the NATA. Dr. Reuteman recently received the College of Health Sciences Professional Achievement Award from Marquette University and is a two-time recipient of the Sports Medicine Teacher of the Year by the Gundersen Medical Foundation.