Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – Springfield MO – Sep 2025

18 Total Hours / 1.8 Total CEUs

Upper quadrant musculoskeletal disorders benefit from attention to the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and cervicothoracic junction for two reasons: it is a part of upper quarter kinetic chain of movement and it houses the sympathetic nervous system, which is a significant contributor not only to sensitization but also to circulation and pain thresholds. Have you considered that your patient’s thoracic spine and thoracic outlet myofascial and joint dysfunctions might be perpetuating their cervical and upper quarter conditions? Optimal function for head movements is dependent on movement in the thoracic spine to T4, while mobility of the spine and ribs to T6 is part of the shoulder elevation chain. Each of these activities drive forces and loads through the shoulder girdle and upper thoracic spine, so when evaluating long standing problems, identifying the causal and perpetuating factors are as important as identifying the pain generator.
This course will teach you how to manage thoracic outlet conditions, which require clinicians to embrace an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and pain neuroscience principles to effectively treat most conditions. Tuning up your clinical assessment and treatment skills on the thoracic outlet will optimize your patients’ outcomes and elevate your confidence!
Course content provides the learner with tools to identify precise surface anatomy, analyze the clinical assessment to formulate a clinical diagnosis, and subsequently create an effective plan of care that addresses all facets of healing. Equally important, the clinician will acquire techniques that will improve outcomes in the treatment of all adjacent joint complexes, including the upper thoracic spine and ribs, soft tissue and shoulder girdle complex.
Special topics include identification and treatment of: neurogenic versus vascular thoracic outlet conditions with management of rib issues, clavicular issues, postural and soft tissue dysfunctions and double crush.

Target Group: PT, PTA, OT, OTA, ATC
Educational Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, an 3-hour online lecture series is recommended (view before the course is recommended, but can be reviewed after the course as well)

course outline-Live-Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Cancellation Policy

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. 1. Select appropriate evaluation and treatment techniques through knowledge of patho-anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics for the most efficacious and expedient patient care outcomes.
   2. Formulate a working clinical diagnosis based on the interpretation of the history and examination findings.
   3. Create effective treatment plans that incorporate accurate surface anatomy and tissue physiology of the thoracic outlet, shoulder girdle and ribs.
   4. Assess the kinetic chain to determine the causal or perpetuating factors contributing to the patients’ conditions.
   5. Propose clinical reasoning strategies to solve case studies with complex patients’ pathologies with dysfunctions and comorbidities
   6. Generate the most effective techniques that combine soft tissue and specific articulation techniques to affect the total treatment of the thoracic outlet and double crush conditions.
   7. Construct affliction-specific exercises for the thoracic spine and ribs, taking into consideration the psychosocial features of the patients, patients’ preferences, and the most current evidence.
   8. Select the most appropriate evaluation and treatment strategies based on the chronicity and level of sensitization of the patients’ condition.

• Financial: The instructor(s) receive an honorarium for presenting this course.
• Non-financial: The instructor(s) have no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
• Partial credit is not available. For online courses, passing module assessments and completing the course evaluation is required to earn continuing education credit. For live courses, attendance is confirmed by signing the attendance sheet at the course; ensure name and professional license number are accurate, and initial both morning and afternoon attendance.