Myofascial Release for the Neurologically Impaired Patient

Learn to use soft tissue and joint mobilization to improve functional mobility and independence for your patients.

This practical, interactive two-day workshop for rehabilitation teams focuses on evaluation and treatment techniques for soft tissue limitations that contribute to compensated functional mobility and caregiver dependence.

The lecture reviews muscular and fascial anatomy, tying kinesiology into a discussion that connects specific soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization techniques to improving reach and phases of gait. A thorough discussion will cover the impact of immobility and spasticity on both mechanical and neurological aspects of functional muscle recruitment. Myofascial pain patterns will also be presented and addressed through treatment approaches aimed at limiting their influence on functional activity.

This course emphasizes hands-on treatment strategies through laboratory application to improve manual skills relevant to the rehabilitation setting. Techniques for recruitment and facilitation to improve motor control in the neurologically impaired patient will also be introduced.

The laboratory component is designed to provide PTs, OTs, and their assistants with practical skills in palpation, seating and positioning, soft tissue assessment, and mobilization. These skills are applied to both functional reach of the upper extremity and the gait sequence in clinical practice. The majority of this course will involve hands-on application, supplemented by frequent case study discussions to identify impairments and demonstrate the use of manual therapy, including myofascial release and other manual techniques.

Course Objectives

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

• Review basic anatomic structure and physiology pertaining to myofascia and specific to functional reach and gait activity.
• Discuss and identify core activation for stability during extremity function
• Discuss the kinesiology of functional reach and review closed and open chained kinetic events during gait activity.
• Explain myofascial restrictions that impair extremity movement and weight acceptance during functional activity.
• Describe consequences of muscular and soft tissue dysfunction and their effects on functional activity.
• Discuss the indications, precautions and contraindications for myofascial mobilization.
• Identify postural dysfunction and complications as they relate to reach and mobility.
• Demonstrate evaluation and basic mobilization skills for the rib cage and scapula as well as appropriate facilitation of truncal activation in reach.
• Demonstrate evaluation and basic mobilization skills for lower quadrant range and proper facilitation for muscular activation, maximizing stability and momentum in gait activity.
• Identify and relate the significance of common myofascial pain in trigger points and apply specific manual techniques in approach to treatment.
• Identify a proper treatment approach utilizing manual techniques through multiple case study based on the significant findings in evaluation.
• Discuss appropriate documentation regarding therapeutic intervention.

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Course Instructor(s)

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Course Agenda

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