Orthopedic Assessment

Materials

• Text - 512 pages
• Videos - 4.5 hours total
• Multiple-choice test
• Certificate upon completion

Description

Learn classic assessment techniques for the neck, shoulder, elbow, ankle, knee, hip, spine and more. This course introduces massage techniques for orthopedic conditions, promoting the alignment of soft tissue relating to pain and dysfunction.

For clinical massage therapy, the course text contains brief descriptions of rationale behind orthopedic massage, mechanisms of injury to and repair of soft tissue, and anatomy of each body area.

The accompanying Upper Body and Lower Body course DVDs also provide 3-D animations to show exactly which structures are involved. Each section of the DVDs are divided into Subjective Assessment, Observation, Tests, Special Tests and Palpation, including:

• range-of-motion.
• active range-of-motion.
• strength tests.
• nerve conduction tests.
• impingement tests for the rotator cuff.
• spinal facet joint assessment.
• knee meniscus assessment.
• ligament tests, and more.

You'll learn specific orthopedic conditions of the human body and discover how various massage therapy techniques can help ease pain and dysfunction of soft tissue. Specific pathologies regarding mobility, posture, injuries and diseases are included as examples of what can be addressed by massage therapists and which conditions are seen as contraindications. Several methods which help to promote proper alignment of soft tissue including wave mobilization, muscle energy technique and joint mobilization are defined, explained and demonstrated in the course materials.

The Orthopedic Assessment program will walk you through a logical progression of testing that will reveal the underlying pathology with crystal clarity.

The techniques and assessment provided in this program are meant to be practiced by licensed healthcare practitioners. Check your local laws to find out if performing these tests is within your scope of practice.

Course Objectives

• Explain the foundations and theories of musculoskeletal function, dysfunction and therapeutic goals of various modalities used in orthopedic massage.
• Describe the composition of muscle tissue and explain the theory of soft tissue alignment.
• Define the three modalities as presented in the text: wave mobilization, muscle energy technique (MET) and joint mobilization.
• Recognize and define the composition and function of the four primary types of body tissue with a focus on connective tissue.
• Describe the mechanics of soft-tissue injury including inflammation and the pain cycle within the human body.
• Recognize the various steps used in assessing a client, including taking SOAP notes with special regard to patterns of soft tissue pathologies, joint dysfunction, injury and degeneration.
• Demonstrate proper body mechanics and an understanding of specific modalities and techniques used in orthopedic massage.
• Define therapeutic guidelines and contraindications for soft-tissue dysfunction and injury.
• Identify the various anatomical structures and explain the physiology of the lumbosacral region of the human spine.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the lower back. Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address lower back pain.
• Identify the various anatomical structures and explain the physiology of the thoracic region of the human spine.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the lumbar region of the back.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address mid to lower back pain.
• Identify the various anatomical structures and explain the physiology of the cervical region of the spine.
• Identify the main differences of the cervical vertebrae as compared to the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the cervical region of the back and neck.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address neck and upper back pain.
• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the shoulder complex in the human body.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the shoulder region.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address shoulder dysfunction and pain.
• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand in the human body.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address the dysfunction and pain of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand.
• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the hip joint and surrounding area in the human body.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the hip region.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address hip dysfunction and pain.
• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the knee in the human body, as well as how it interacts with upper and lower leg structures.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the knee region.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address knee dysfunction and pain.
• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the leg, ankle and foot in the human body.
• Assess and recognize dysfunction and injury of the leg, ankle and foot regions.
• Identify appropriate massage techniques, stretches and exercises used to address leg, ankle and foot dysfunction and pain.

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Instructors

Linda Fehrs, LMT

Linda Fehrs attended both the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy and Hudson Valley School of Massage Therapy in New York – a state with some of the most rigorous licensing requirements in the U.S. – and also served as an instructor at the Hudson Valley School of Massage.

She is a professional member of the AMTA and the New York State Society of Medical Massage Therapists. Linda has actively practiced massage therapy in the Mid-Hudson Valley since 2002 with a focus on medical massage and massage for those with special needs, such as developmental and physical disabilities.

Ms. Fehrs has authored such courses as Build Your Massage Practice, Cancer & Massage, Women & Massage as well as Marketing Massage and the Economy.

Sean Riehl, CMT

Sean Riehl has been a bodyworker since 1998 when he completed his training program through the Body Therapy Institute in California and subsequently served as an instructor there. Certified in Lymphatic Drainage, Visceral Manipulation, Neuromuscular Therapy, Muscle Energy Techniques, Myofascial Release and Shiatsu, Mr. Riehl established Real Bodywork in 2000 producing high-quality, professional, instructional massage and yoga videos. With over 40 video titles, Real Bodywork is the preeminent producer of videos in the massage training industry.

Mr. Riehl is author, co-creator and instructor on various Institute courses including Neuromuscular Therapy & Advanced Deep Tissue, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Myofascial Release, Advanced Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Massage Therapy, Integrative Massage: Earth, Fire and Spirit, Nerve Mobilization and more.