Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine – Soldotna AK – Oct 2024

22 Education Hours: 7.5 hours of Online Self Study + 14.5 Hours of hands-on experience

Do you ever wonder why cervical traction is sometimes painful for your patient? What then? Are you looking for that added edge to improve arm symptoms in cases of cervical nerve root compression? Three components of the cervical spine that are integral to permanent improvement are often overlooked: 1) the cervical spine has a tendency toward instability, 2) the upper cervical segments of C0 to C3 contribute 50% of the entire cervical range of motion; these segments are the first to become restricted and stay restricted after whiplash, and 3) nerve root compression is compounded by a double crush phenomenon in the presence of elevated upper ribs.

Topics in this course include selective evaluation and management of acute versus recurrent disc lesions, facet versus uncovertebral joint arthropathy, acute and chronic cervical nerve root compression syndromes, and cervicogenic headache.

Online lectures offer an in-depth look at cervical spine pathoanatomy, clinical examination with interpretation and pathology, as well as management suggestions for acute, recurrent, and chronic conditions. Special topics include cervicogenic headache and whiplash.

In the live experience, the instructor provides short summary lectures with Q & A related to the online learning and focuses on surface anatomy and clinical assessment with interpretation to identify a working diagnosis. Treatment techniques are matched to specific pathology for optimal patient outcomes. Close mentoring is provided for practicing techniques and problem-solving, as well as clinical analysis, synthesis, and application via case studies.

Method of Instruction

The online study is self-paced and available 24/7. It is segmented into lecture modules plus module assessments to gauge understanding (must meet a minimum score prior to moving to the next module). Viewing time can be started and stopped as desired. A certificate of the online portion can be printed upon completion of all lectures and corresponding assessments.

The LIVE portion of this course offers short lecture and extensive hands-on lab demonstrating and mentoring techniques. PowerPoint presentations are used, and participants receive a digital manual with all course materials. This experience focuses on techniques and problem-solving, as well as clinical analysis, synthesis, and application via case studies. Instructors ensure participant understanding via observation and skills self-assessments. Live-class surveys are completed online, after which a final certificate can be printed.

Target Audience: PT, PTA, ATC, DC

Instruction Level: Advanced

Prerequisites: Diagnosis and Management of the Cervical Spine, an 8-hour online lecture series – included with registration.

Outline-Hybrid Cervical

1. Become an expert in the evaluation of cervical spine conditions with confidence in differentiating various musculoskeletal pathologies.
2. Effectively combine selective treatment methodologies from manual therapy to movement to psychosocial considerations that lead to optimal and efficient patient outcomes.

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 clinical examination.
3. Create effective treatment plans that incorporate accurate surface anatomy and tissue physiology of the cervical spine.
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 most effective techniques that combine soft tissue and specific articulation techniques to affect total treatment of the cervical spine.
7. Construct affliction-specific exercises for the cervical spine, 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.