Q: Does IAOM teach high velocity manipulations?

A: IAOM-US does not teach HVLA for the upper cervical course, because we do not do them in the clinic and there are many reasons for that that we explain at the course (based on the research outcome – Di Fabio, 1999).  We teach upper thoracic HVLA at the thoracic course, and we use some of these techniques to treat the cervical spine (especially the sympathetic component of the pain but only for limits) (Cleland et al., 2005).

IAOM-US teaches differential diagnosis of upper cervical pain and headaches (where is the pain generator? C0-C1, C1-C2, C2-C3 disc, UVJ or ZAJ, which type of headaches and which one responds well to treatment and how we treat C2-C3 disc, UVJ, ZAJ and C0-C1 and C1-C2 ZAJ and dorsal root ganglion).  We also discuss the chronic headaches and the role of the lower cervical segments in that regard as well as the sympathetic component of the pain.

We teach HVLA for the other parts of the spine (lower cervical (traction thrust only), thoracic and ribs, lumbar and SIJ).

Q: Does the IAOM-US allow Occupational Therapists to take non Upper Extremity courses?

A:Yes, the IAOM-US has the policy that it is important for allied health care providers to be aware of all of the aspects of evaluation and treatment available to patients with musculoskeletal disorders. One of the ways that this information can be gathered is through continuing education courses and seminars that are geared toward other professional practitioners. With all IAOM coursework, it is understood and expressly stated that each allied health care provider will practice only those differential diagnoses, mobilizations and thrust manipulative techniques that are permitted by the practice act of the state in which they are licensed.