Course Description:

Physical therapists address a variety of conditions of the cervical/upper thoracic spine and shoulder regions across the lifespan. This includes assisting patients with returning to full function following an acute injury, correcting movement patterns in overuse injuries, and finding management strategies for chronic conditions. All aspects require instruction in body mechanics and proper coordination of the thoracic/cervical spine with the upper extremity through the scapulothoracic junction and glenohumeral joint. By participating in this workshop, therapists will learn new assessment tools and exercises to support these goals, with Pilates-based emphasis on form and motor control over volume or resistance, making the exercises safe for use in the rehabilitation setting when combined with the physical therapist’s clinical judgment. The workshop will also provide verbal, tactile and visual imagery cues to enhance a patient’s ability to execute movements using the desired muscle groups, avoiding compensations and correcting habitual impaired patterns. The physical therapist will leave the workshop with an expanded skillset to address movement challenges related to the shoulder girdle complex in a variety of patient populations.