North American Seminars Course Outline

This seminar is designed to help clinicians achieve superior outcomes when treating patients with cervical spine disorders. Current best evidence is incorporated throughout the course to help participants diagnose and manage cervical spine disorders with greater confidence and cutting-edge proficiency. Cervical spine functional anatomy, mechanics, and pathomechanics are reviewed as a foundation for evidence-based practice. Considerable time is devoted to refining and improving the clinician’s ability to examine vascular, articular, and peripheral nerve integrity; segmental motion and pain provocation, and muscle performance. Disorders affecting the connective, muscular, and nervous tissues of the cervical spine are reviewed. Differential diagnoses discussed include cervicogenic headache, derangement, hypomobility, hypermobility, postural syndrome, and sprain/strain. Consideration is also given to the role of the lumbopelvic and thoracic spine in cervical spine disorders. Current classification schemes and a novel algorithm are presented to help guide intervention planning.

The second day of instruction is devoted to intervention strategies, with an emphasis on evidence-based therapeutic exercise strategies and manual therapy techniques. Numerous treatment approaches and recent advances in cervical spine research are integrated to provide the clinician with a diverse array of options to help optimize biomechanical function and functional ability. Special rehabilitation considerations pertaining to cervicogenic headaches, acceleration injuries, and cervical spine orthopedic operative procedures are discussed. This course is intended to facilitate immediate and confident clinical application and hands-on lab time is liberally incorporated during the course to promote deep learning.

This course is designed for physical therapy continuing education and occupational therapy continuing education

North American Seminars Course Objectives

• Describe the functional anatomy, mechanics, and pathomechanics of the upper cervical spine region, lower cervical spine region, and the upper thoracic spine.
• Explain the etiology of common cervical spine disorders.
• Identify signs and symptoms that warrant immediate referral to another healthcare provider.
• Recognize behaviors that are associated with an increased risk of long-term disability.
• Select appropriate tests and measures based on the patient interview.
• Perform a thorough and systematic examination of the cervical spine region.
• Assess for occipito-atlantal and atlanto-axial instability and vertebral-basilar artery insufficiency.
• Classify cervical spine disorders, based on examination findings, for purposes of care planning and intervention decision-making.
• Integrate evidence from literature on the cervical spine with clinical experience.
• Formulate a safe and efficacious postoperative rehabilitation program.
• Competently utilize therapeutic exercise and manual therapy techniques to treat cervical spine disorders.
• Choose and incorporate appropriate physical agents into the treatment of patients with disorders of the cervical spine region.
• Effectively manage patients with cervicogenic headaches and acceleration injuries.

North American Seminars Course Brochure and Timeline

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Course Healthclick - North American Seminars presents Advances in Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of the Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spine Disorders

North American Seminars 2009 Scheduled Dates and Locations

Start Date	End Date	Location - **Click to Map It**	Tuition	Hrs	Hotel
Mar 27, 10	Mar 28, 10	Henrico Doctors Sports OCC Rehab Center, Richmond, VA	$399.00	15.00	View Hotels
Nov 06, 10	Nov 07, 10	West Suburban Medical Center, Oak Park, IL	$399.00	15.00	View Hotels
Nov 20, 10	Nov 21, 10	Clarian Health/Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, IN	$399.00	15.00	View Hotels
Dec 04, 10	Dec 05, 10	Elite Physical Therapy, Warwick, RI	$399.00	15.00	View Hotels