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    Manual Therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia ecourse

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    Appropriate Disciplines

    • APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINES
    • Physical Therapist
    • Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
    • Occupational Therapist
    • Physical Therapy Asst
    • Speech Language Pathologist
    • Speech Language Pathology Asst
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Course Description

Muscle Tension Dysphonia – A Manual Therapy Approach

Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a voice disorder caused by abnormal muscle tension in the laryngeal and peri-laryngeal regions, which interferes with normal phonation. While behavioral voice therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, manual therapy offers a powerful adjunctive method to alleviate tension, improve flexibility, and enhance voice quality.

This comprehensive course is designed for SLPs, PTs, voice coaches/trainers, and other healthcare professionals seeking to understand the musculoskeletal components of MTD. You’ll explore the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and evidence-based manual therapy techniques used to manage this voice disorder.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Integrate manual therapy into comprehensive treatment plans

  • Combine manual techniques with vocal warm-ups, resonance training, and breathing exercises

  • Recognize when and how to apply manual therapy alongside traditional voice therapy

Topics include:

  • Voice anatomy

  • Postural training

  • Breath function

  • Stress management

  • Interpretation of voice dysfunction

  • Case studies illustrating manual therapy in MTD treatment

Note: A basic understanding of voice anatomy, physiology, and common voice disorders is recommended. However, the course is designed to be accessible to both experienced clinicians and those

Course Requirements:
  • Computer with internet and working speakers/sound are required for this course.
  • Course must be completed within 30 days of activation (activate course within 6 months of purchase).
  • An online multiple-choice quiz (80% passing score) and submission of an online evaluation form are required for successful completion.
  • A certificate of completion will be available to print immediately after course is successfully completed.
  • SLPs - ASHA CEUs may be obtained by completing the online ASHA form and checking the "Report to ASHA" box.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Interpret pertinent anatomic structure and physiology pertaining to oropharyngeal and laryngeal myofascial and structure
  • Describe kinematic consequence of muscular and soft tissue dysfunction with their effects on functional activity, voice focus
  • Identify postural dysfunction and upper quadrant instability and relate to an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation in the management of vocal impairment
  • Identify postural impairment and basic craniomandibular dysfunction and their relationship to phonation
  • Summarize precautions and contraindications in a preparatory voice screen
  • Demonstrate evaluation and application for cervical, craniomandibular, upper quadrant and rib cage in voice treatment
  • Identify a proper treatment approach utilizing manual techniques through selected case study based on evaluation findings

John Kelly

M.P.T.

A graduate of the University of St. Augustine’s graduate Physical Therapy Program. John has over 17 years’ experience with acute inpatient and hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation and currently an outpatient clinical director for Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. John continues to balance full time patient care with administrative responsibilities. John is NDT certified and an experienced manual orthopedic therapist working toward his clinical doctorate and manual therapy certification. John is a certified VitalStim® Instructor and has taught orthopaedic and electrotherapy courses across the country. John is an accomplished clinical instructor and consistently is recognized for his exceptional patient rapport and strong evaluations from course participants.

Financial Disclosure: John is a salaried employee for his position at Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital. John Kelly receives honoraria from CIAO Seminars for the presentation of his live courses. He also receives royalties for the purchase of his recorded course(s)
Non-financial Disclosure: No relevant non-financial relationship exists.

15 Minutes
Introductions and program overview
15 Minutes
Anatomy and kinematics; oropharyngeal, laryngeal and diaphragm breathing patterns
60 Minutes
Integrating postural instability; influence on breath patterns, hyolaryngeal instability & the relationship of upper quadrant dyskinesia in phonation
30 Minutes
Laboratory: hyolaryngeal palpation and myofascial/postural assessment
15 Minutes
Manual therapy application guidelines and treatment considerations
30 Minutes
Laboratory and discussion: tissue preparation with oral and facial myofascial release technique
60 Minutes
Laboratory: soft tissue mobilization for the face and jaw; craniomandibular hypertonus
15 Minutes
Laboratory and discussion: tissue preparation with anterior neck myofascial release technique
105 Minutes
Laboratory: soft tissue application for the anterior neck; enhancing hyolaryngeal recruitment and stability, muscular hypertonus
15 Minutes
Laboratory and discussion: tissue preparation with trunk lateral wall, diaphragm and rib cage, myofascial release technique
75 Minutes
Laboratory: soft tissue application for the posterior neck and upper quadrant; enhancing postural stability and diaphragmatic breathing
15 Minutes
Case study and discussion; incorporating contemporary techniques into treatment, clinical reasoning and decision paradigm
7.5 Hours
Total

Delivery VIA:

  • Online - This course is offered in an online, on demand format.
  • Club CIAO Plus - Club CIAO Plus: This course is also part of Club CIAO Plus, our all-you-can-eat buffet of online courses (inluding 1 and 2 day courses) for one low price. Club CIAO Plus Members also receive 25% off of all Live Stream courses!

Contact hours pre-approved for:

  • 7.5 Hours
  • CIAO is an ASHA Approved Provider #AAWA (0.75 ASHA CEUs) bubble sheet submission required
  • ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
  • An online multiple-choice quiz (80 passing score) and submission of an online evaluation form are required for successful completion.
  • This course meets PDU requirements for NBCOT (7.5 PDUs)
  • CIAO is an Illinois Approved Provider for PT/PTA Continuing Education
  • CIAO is recognized as an Approved Provider for PT/PTAs by the NYSE Dept State Board for PT
  • This activity is provided by the Texas Board of PT Examiners Accredited Prov #2802009TX
  • This activity meets continuing competence requirements for PT/PTA license renewal in TX
  • The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE
  • CIAO is a Rule Approved Provider for the Florida Board of Physical Therapy
  • CIAO is an Approved Provider for the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
  • Approved for:
  • 7.5 Hrs. PT/PTAs in IL, TX (TX(xx CCUs, APTA#2802009TX)
  • 9 Hrs. OT/COTAs, PT/PTAs in FL (CE Broker #20-1337877)
  • 9 Hrs. PT/PTAs in NY
  • 7.5 Hrs. Registered with CEBroker for OT/COTAs in AL, AZ, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN
  • OT/COTAs in NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Course meets requirements for:

  • PT/PTAs in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, MT,
  • PT/PTAs in NE, NH, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
  • OT/COTAs in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT,
  • OT/COTAs in NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

    • Introductory Level
    0.75 ASHA CEUs



    CIAO Automatically reports to CE Broker for Florida Occupational and Physical Therapists and Assistants. Florida SLPs can either use the ASHA CE Participant Form (Bubble Sheet) or self-submit through CE Broker.


    CIAO is recognized on the NBCOT Provider Registry (meets PDU requirements for NBCOT)


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