Defining, Optimizing & Teaching Integrated Movement

Defining, Optimizing & Teaching Integrated Movement

Applications to Sports/Spine, Ortho, Geriatrics & Manual Therapy

Course Description

What is Integrated Movement and why is it poised to supplant Therapeutic Exercise and core stabilization as our movement training modality of choice? What does Optimal Movement entail besides strength, flexibility, cardio-vascular fitness and other measurable criteria? How can we make our exercise more informative and  functionally relevant; combining into one activity strength/flexibility work, proprioceptive self-awareness training, ergonomics/body mechanics instructions, postural practice and seamless application to specific ADL’s? What style of movement training strategies give us the best chance of optimizing our patients’ movement; whether high level athletes, spinal or extremity pain sufferers, joint replacement graduates or the fall-prone elderly? Utilizing plain-language lecture, relevant research studies, interactive movement labs and ample clinical examples, this thought-provoking one day course answers these questions and more. It advocates an exercise paradigm that boosts patient compliance and success while freshening and upgrading your rehab tool kit. Based on Dynamic Integration principles and taught by a movement geek and PT, we will compare this revolutionary approach to both traditional Therapeutic Exercise and modern Static Integration movement strategies. Come and experience a refreshing new perspective, you will never see movement and exercise the same way again!

Course Objectives

By the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• List the two main differences between a Dynamic Integration & Static Integration models.
• Identify Global vs. Differentiated Patterns of Movement and recognize appropriate clinical Applications & Contraindications for each.
• Explain the "carry-over" advantages of Recognizing & Practicing Patterns vs. Strengthening Muscles.
• List the primary Principles of Optimal Movement & give at least two examples of each.
• Explain usefulness of common teaching strategies; Reciprocating Movements, Application of Constraints, Change of Venue, relating to Functional Context and the Goldilocks Principle.

Course Outline

Lab sessions include experiential movement, partner observations, facilitation techniques, modifications & discussion of clinical relevance.

7:45-8:00—Registration & Snacks

8:00-9:00—Integration vs. Isolation

• Bodies are Already Integrated: Isolation/Localization is a Myth
• Regional Interdependence Research, Motor Habit Formation & Bernstein’s Problem
• Habitual Movement = Repetitive Movement = Repetitive Stress Injury
• Movement Alterations Secondary to Traumatic Injury or Ortho Surgery

9:00-9:45—Static Integration vs. Dynamic Integration

• Movement Lab #1—Rocking Chair
• Origin & Insertion Thinking: Mistakes & Unintentional Consequences
• Cardinal Plane Paradigm & Implications for Exercise
• Thoracic Spine & Rib Cage: Terra Incognita

9:45-10:00—Morning Break

10:00-11:00—Global vs. Differentiated Patterns of Movement, Posture & Exercise

• Make Exercise Look like the Motor Behavior we are Trying to Influence
• Pattern Specificity: Stretch & Strengthen the Patterns, not Just the Parts
• Why Exercise? Physiological or Motor Control Rationale
• The Magic Muscle Mentality

11:00-12:00—Principles of Optimal Integrated Movement

• Even Distribution of Movement & Proportional Use of Synergists
• Skeletal Weight Bearing & Minimization of Unnecessary Effort
• Movement Lab #2—Bowling Arms

12:00-1:00—Lunch on your own

1:00-2:45—Proprioceptive Self-Awareness Acuity Training

• The Unconscious Nature of Habitual Movement & Postural Habits
• The Importance of Subjectivity: “Feel” and “Like” are not Four Letter Words
• Strategies for Facilitating Proprioceptive Self-Awareness
• The Map is not the Territory; the Menu is not the Meal
• Movement Lab #3—Sit to Stand

2:45-3:00—Afternoon Break

3:00-5:00—Tricks of the Trade: What Makes Exercise Informational?

• Reciprocating Movements & Change of Venue
• Application of Constraints & Application to Functional Context
• Pattern Recognition & The Goldilocks Principle
• Movement Lab #4—Squash the Grapes

5:00-5:30—Wrap Up

• Review & Reinforcement of Course Objectives
• Research, Questions & Answers

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