CCEP 5 Soft Tissue Methods for the Spine & Extremities

Course Synopsis

To understand that treatment of the human structure requires an approach that encompasses the total structure. Areas beyond the articulation must be evaluated and altered for complete healing to occur. This course expresses the relationship of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments and especially the fascial system) to the function and dysfunction of the spine and extremities. It develops the concept that the articulations and soft tissues of the body are directly related and continuous throughout the body. Soft Tissue Methods introduces hands-on methods to treat peripheral neural and vascular entrapments, fascial, muscle, tendon and ligamentus restrictions.

Day 1

08:30-09:30 Introduction – Fundamentals of the soft tissues of the body; tendonitis vs tendonosis, fascia; the makeup of collagen, gel matrix and ligaments, soft tissue pathology. Rationale for friction massage of soft tissues

09:30-10:30 – Major elements of soft tissue and connective tissue. Introduction to Cyriax work

Fundamentals of soft tissue examination: passive and active tissues, joint play and end feel, capsular lesions and end feel

10:30-11:30 – Detailed approach to a proper functional extremity exam, Passive vs active examination. Introduction to the examination of the hip, passive

11:30-12:30 – Examination of the hip, active. Common conditions of the hip and their treatments Hands on workshop on friction massage and treatment of hip conditions, strokes, depth, pressure, timing

12:30-13:30 LUNCH BREAK

13:30-14:30 – Hands on workshop on hip treatments continues. Introduction and review of the knee and anatomy. Passive vs active examination of the knee

14:30-15:30 – Conditions of the knee: ITBS, Plica syndrome, Meniscal evaluation, compartment syndromes, Hands-on workshop on the evaluation and treatment of the knee

15:30-16:30 Continuation of hands on for the hip and knee and their integration. Summation of material learned so far and review of proper friction massage

16:30-17:30 Introduction to the foot and ankle anatomy, entrapment and injury review for the foot and ankle. Passive vs active exam of the foot and ankle

17:30-18:30 – Treatments for the foot and ankle using friction massage. Conditions of the foot and ankle. Neuromas, tendinoses, stress fractures and their evaluation, Achilles tendinosis, plantar fascitis

Day 2

08:00-09:00 – Introduction and review of shoulder anatomy. Passive vs active evaluation of the shoulder

09:00-11:00 – Hands on evaluation and treatment of the shoulder. Conditions of the shoulder and their treatments; frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tendinosis of each cuff muscle, shoulder bursa evaluation.

11:00-12:00 – Passive and active evaluation and treatments to the elbow. Conditions of the elbow; lateral and medial epicondylitis, loose bodies, Pronator Teres syndrome. Extremity Soft Tissue Diagnosis and Treatment by Manual Methods Outline

12:00-13:00 Passive vs active evaluation of the wrist and hand. Use of soft tissue techniques for carpal tunnel syndrome, DeQuervain’s Syndrome, forearm entrapments commonly seen,

13:00-14:00 Brief lecture on other soft tissue techniques including myofascial release and Graston Technique. Brief introduction to the causes and effects of trigger points in the shoulder area

The course is 50% lecture and 50% hands on adjusting and technique workshop