Oncology continuing education course

Course Overview and Objectives

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the participants should be able to:

• Describe the different types of surgical approaches available for breast cancer and the role therapy plays with for successful rehabilitation.
• Perform a postural screen to identify muscle restrictions and rib displacement.
• Perform manual therapy techniques for axillary web syndrome/cording.
• Teach diaphragmatic breathing techniques along with abdominal activation techniques to enhance overall rib excursion and muscle strength.
• Develop a Rehabilitation program that combines myofascial release, trigger point techniques, mobilizations and general manual therapy to decrease tissue restrictions and increase mobility.
• Utilize specific techniques to release tightness in the peripheral nerves in the upper and lower extremities.
• Incorporate general core strengthening and mobility techniques into a comprehensive post surgical treatment program.
• Identify the relevant evidence based literature that supports current treatment techniques.

Surgeon’s Perspective on Surgical Procedures for Breast Cancer

• Rehab implications after specific surgical procedures
• Identify how to find a cutting edge plastic or reconstructive surgeons that can utilize techniques to maximize recovery and minimize post op complications.
• Discussion of Microvascular Breast Reconstruction
• SGAP Flap
• Current information concerning BRCA gene mutation
• Lymphedema surgery-current surgical technique to improve function and decrease lymphedema

A Surgeon’s Perspective on the Need for Rehab for Successful Surgical Outcomes

• Discussion of current cutting edge surgical interventions utilized and the tissues implicated during specific procedures.
• A surgeon’s perspective on how therapy can maximize the results before or after a surgical intervention.
• Discussion of Microvascular Breast Reconstruction and Breast Reconstruction with implants.
• Postoperative phase and the value of therapy

Learn to Effectively Treat the Cancer patient

• Key factors to maximizing a postoperative patient’s functional recovery.
• Understanding orthopedic symptoms that can mask an underlying cancer disease.
• Build a knowledge base that will help you achieve success with rehab programs for cancer patients.
• Treatment of cancer patients with Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.
• Screening for Breathing Patterns, Postural Issues and Scapulothoracic Mobility
• Identify normal and faulty breathing patterns.
• Identify how postoperative musculoskeletal dysfunction can lead to faulty mechanics and function.
• Perform a postural assessment identifying key areas that are typically affected post op specific surgical procedures.
• Assessing Diaphragmatic breathing patterns

Screening for Breathing Patterns, Postural Issues and Scapulothoracic Mobility

• Identify normal and faulty breathing patterns.
• Identify how postoperative musculoskeletal dysfunction can lead to faulty mechanics and function.
• Perform a postural assessment identifying key areas that are typically affected post op specific surgical procedures.
• Assessing Diaphragmatic breathing patterns

Training to Improve Breathing Patterns and Scapular Mobility

• Improving scapular mobility and scapular humeral rhythm to enhance posture and breathing patterns.
• Explore postural training and diaphragmatic breath training for the cancer patient.
• Teaching a patient how to perform proper diaphragmatic breathing with coordinated postural training.
• Teaching a patient how to improve lung function in conjunction with functional activities.

Explore the Anatomy of Neck Musculature

• Overview of key neck musculature.

Manual Therapy Treatment Techniques

Identify the key musculature effected in postoperative breast cancer

• Myofascial techniques on the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• Ischemic compression trigger point therapy.
• Pectoralis minor release techniques.
• Hip flexor release techniques.
• First rib elevation techniques.
• Anterior rib displacement technique.
• Posterior rib mobilization with muscle energy techniques.

Axillary Web Syndrome-Cording

• Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS): Understand the physiological process.
• Evaluating for AWS.
• Treatment techniques for AWS.
• Lymphatic tissue coagulation.
• Neural tension technique.

Myofascial and Lymphatic Techniques

• Myofascial techniques for the breast reconstruction patient.
• Build treatments that will focus on core stability.
• Managing the incision and surrounding tissue.
• Techniques for impregnated scar strips.
• Techniques to improve lymphatic flow, lymph node stimulation.
• Managing post surgical swelling in the upper and lower extremities.
• Techniques for popliteal node stimulation.

Exercises to Improve the Cancer Patient’s Function

• Cervical retraction, a postural exercise.
• The rhomboid release.
• Core stability-strengthening.
• Control and stability in the lower extremity.
• Breathing and postural exercises.
• Stretching and strengthening activities.

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge

• Use the Healthclick proprietary online education system which provides the online student with:
• Worldwide access to high definition video, anatomical animations and images, and written information
• The highest quality film in the industry, you can see the difference!
• Stop and resume within a course, the Healthclick system will optimize your course based on your device, connection and remembers where you left off.
• Real-time course updates. We are always adding to each courses, updating content, adding animations, these are not static courses!
• Evaluate your knowledge with the course test on any device.
• Print your state course certificate for CE credit.
• Take the online test as many times as need in order to achieve a 70 % or greater score.