Dynamic Movement Training for the Neck & Thorax

Dynamic Movement Training 

for the Neck & Thorax

Course Description

This is an active movement course, with a healthy dose of high-quality, video recorded lab work. The best way to learn movement and motor control exercise is to actively participate and observe mistakes then analyze optimal/sub-optimal movement and postural patterns. To this end, there are 8.5 hours of video—a third are observational and related to general assessments, variations, manual cueing and common mistakes. The majority are participatory and feature verbally guided and visually demonstrated movement sequences designed to mobilize, balance and integrate the thorax—while stabilizing, balancing and lengthening the neck.

This course focuses primarily on repetitive stress or degenerative conditions:

• Cervical disc & facet joint breakdown
• Nerve entrapments & cervicogenic headaches
• Thoracic outlet & shoulder girdle myofascial syndromes
• Costochondritis and chronic thoracic pain

However, traumatic/whiplash injuries & treatment strategies are likewise included. Additionally, this course also addresses thoraco-scapular relationships, breathing choices, upper cervical strategies and muscle tension or myofascial related issues. The Dynamic Integrated Movement concepts presented improves patient compliance, outcomes and extrapolation to daily activities. Thus, connecting the dots between exercise and ADLs is imperative for long lasting results.

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• List 2 Phases of Motor Learning in which rehabilitation professionals play an important role when working with people with neck and upper back pain.
• Define Regional Interdependence & Relative Flexibility—giving 2 examples of thoraco-cervical and thoraco-scapular relationships.
• Explain differences between Static Integration & Dynamic Integration exercises in terms of neck to trunk & scapula to thorax relationships.
• List 3 Principles of Optimal Movement & give examples of common cervical & thoracic conditions resulting from sub-optimal movement or postural patterns.
• Define Global & Differentiated movement/postural patterns—and explain the importance of language specificity in a Movement Model of cervical & thoracic pain and dysfunction.
• Explain the importance of Internal Attentional Focus when working with chronic or degenerative neck pain & with thoracic or rib issues.
• List 4 integrated movement Teaching Strategies suggested by Motor Control Principles that make exercise ‘informational’.

Course Outline

Video recorded lab sessions include experiential movement, modifications & observations. Complete each section quiz & course evaluation to receive your course completion certificate.

Section 1: Housekeeping 

• Introduction, Instructions & Overview
• Before You Start—Introduction to Integrated Movement Themes
  (Reading Material, 5 pgs.)

Section 2: Background Information

• Movement as Professional Identity
• Movement is Integrated vs Isolated
• The Language & Science of Integrated Movement
• Principles of Optimal Movement & Informational Exercise
• Competing Styles of Integrated Movement
  (Reading Material, 10 pgs.)

Section 3: Paradigms & Philosophy

• Pain Models
• Course Parameters
• Overview of Regions
• Safety Reminders
• Outline of Lab Themes
  (Reading Material, 10 pgs.)

Section 4: AP Thoraco-Cervical & Thoraco-Scapular Relationships (1^st Approx.)

• Categorizations of Cervical & Thoracic Pain
• Movement Model of Musculoskeletal Pain
• Common AP Stresses—Postural or Positional
• Basic Postural Types
• Common AP Stresses—Movement
• AP Observations
• AP Observation—Video
• First Exercise Pair—Video
• Second Exercise Trio—Video
• Lab #1
  • Variations & Mistakes—Video
  • Manual Cuing—Video
    (Reading Material, 20 pgs.)

Section 5: Rotational Thoraco-Cervical Relationships (1^st Approx.)

• Common Rotational Cervical & Thoracic Stresses
• Rotational Observations
• The Pelvic Force Couple & Thoracic Relationships
• Rotational Thoraco-Cervical Relationships—Video
• Solo Exercise Trio—Video
• Lab #2 Rotational Variations & Mistakes—Video
  (Reading Material, 5 pgs.)

Section 6: LR Thoraco-Cervical Relationships (1^st Approx.)

• Common LR Cervical & Thoracic Stresses
• LR Observations
• LR Thoraco-Cervical Relationships—Video
• First Exercise Pair—Video
• Lab #3 LR Variations & Props—Video
  (Reading Material, 20 pgs.)

Section 7: AP Thoraco-Cervical (2^nd) & Thoraco-Scapular Differentiations

• Thoraco-Scapular Differentiations—Video
• First Exercise Pair—Video
• Second Exercise Pair—Video
• Lab #4 Variations & Mistakes—Video
  (Reading Material, 3 pgs.)

Section 8: LR Thoraco-Cervical Relationships (2^nd)

• Diaphragmatic & Intercostal Breathing
• First Exercise Trio—Video
• Lab #5 Variations & Breathing Preview—Video
• See-Saw Breath & Paradoxical Breath--Video
  (Reading Material, 3 pg.)

Section 9: Rotational Thoraco-Cervical Relationships (2^nd)

• First Exercise Pair—Video
• Second Exercise Pair—Video
  (Reading Material, 1 pg.)

Section 10: Scapular Setting & Effort Mitigation

• Conversation Starters—Video
• Solo Exercise Pair—Video
  (Reading Material, 2 pgs.)

Section 11: Movement Practice

• SAID Principle
• Movement Practice Possibilities—Video
  (Reading Material, 3 pgs.)

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