Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

3-5 day course

Day 1:   "lumbar spine"

09.00 - 10.30    Clinical reasoning

10.30 - 10.45    Break

10.45 - 12.30    Examination of the lumbar spine

12.30 - 13.30    Lunch

13.30 - 15.00    Treatment techniques of the lumbar spine (passive accessories)

15.00 - 15.15    Break

15.15 - 17.30    Treatment techniques of the lumbar spine

• passive physiologicals
• muscle energy techniques : muscle_energy.php
• Homework Website    - low back pain : LBP.php
•                                         - sports (climbing) : gorillas_on_the_cliff.php
•                                          - mechanical traction : mechanical_traction.php

Day 2: "cervical spine"

09.00 - 10.30    Examination of the cervical spine

10.30 - 10.45    Break

10.45 - 12.30    Treatment techniques of the cervical spine

• upslopes

12.30 - 13.30    Lunch

13.30 - 15.00    Treatment techniques of the cervical spine

• downslopes
• lateral gap

15.00 - 15.15    Break

15.15 - 17.30    Treatment techniques of the cervical and thoracic spine

• passive accessories
• scapula taping

Homework         Clinical reasoning exercise on website : Fred Clinical reasoning exercise

Day 3: "stability vs mobility"

09.00 - 10.30    Current concepts

• muscle imbalance : see endurance_training.php
• core stability
• inverse dynamics
• 2 joint energy systems (power) versus 1 joint stability (endurance)

10.30 - 10.45    Break

10.45 - 12.30    Discussion of clinical reasoning example - small group presentations

12.30 - 13.30    Lunch

13.30 - 15.00    Swiss Ball techniques : see chronic_low_back_pain.php

15.00 - 15.15    Break

15.15 - 17.30    Exercise regimes for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines

see Swiss ball bridging exercises

Optional Day 4 and 5

aims & objectives

Candidates will be given the opportunity to use the theoretical resources (self directed learning) presented on this website in a practical manner during the course. Maximum benefit will be gained if the student has a pre-course familiarization of neurogenic inflammation.  Additionally, understanding concepts of muscle spasms, motor learning and descending modulation of pain will be helpful in the understanding of clinical reasoning. 

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