Introduction to Functional Neurology – Online

Course description:

The clinical benefit associated with manual therapy is not simply related to restoring movement to restricted joints and normalising local muscle tone through segmental reflex effects. A major therapeutic role is attributed to activation of the central nervous system (CNS) – in recent years the literature is saying this more and more. It is thought that many chronic or treatment-resistant musculoskeletal conditions are perpetuated by ongoing neurological dysfunctions or maladaptive post-injury changes in the CNS. This seminar will provide you with the fundamentals of nervous system structure and function, as well as teaching you neurological examination techniques.

Course Content:

• How and why neurological dysfunction can occur.

• The different motor tracts and their clinical importance.

• Functional roles of the sensory tracts.

• Cerebral cortex – overview of the parietal & frontal lobes.

• Ocular examination – pursuits & saccades.

• Cranial nerves and their correlation to functional impairments in the brainstem; and how to examine for these deficits.

• Cerebellum: its function in motor control, motor adaptation, postural stabilisation and injury prevention.

• Cerebellar testing & introduction to neuro-rehabilitation.

• Introduction to pain: the concept of pain in the absence of tissue damage, mechanical allodynia and central pain modulation.