CDMMT: Clinical Decision Making for the Manual Therapist
A lecture based course with frequent lab sessions, this course covers the application and reasoning processes behind manual therapy interventions and builds a framework for therapists to make clinical decisions based on sound reasoning and solid examination and treatment skills. The course covers physiologic mechanisms and the principles behind manual therapy, clinical reasoning skills, clinical examination skills, including the usefulness/reliability of special tests, differential diagnosis of both the musculoskeletal system and visceral disease, chronic pain mechanisms and the overall usefulness of diagnostic testing. All required prereading material will be sent in a link via your registration confirmation email.
Course Objectives
- After completion of this course, the therapist will be able to understand the integration of basic anatomy, pathology, histology, biomechanics, and kinesiology as they relate to common musculoskeletal presentations.
- The therapist will be able to understand the basic structure of tissue types associated with the musculoskeletal system including but not limited to the disc, cartilage, capsules, and muscle/tendons.
- The therapist will begin to develop a basic working knowledge of pain states and its relationship to musculoskeletal patterns.
- After completion of his course the therapist will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the development of primary, secondary, and tertiary pathologies as they were discussed in the curriculum.
- After completing the course, the therapist will be able to utilize and understand the proposed classification systems to assist in clinical decision making and treatment interventions.
- Completion of this course will assist the therapist in understanding the usefulness, reliability, specificity, and sensitivity of a variety of special tests commonly used in physical therapy practice.
- By the conclusion of this course, the therapist will be able to implement and demonstrate basic proficiency in a manual therapy based examination procedural flow.
- At the conclusion of this course, the therapist will also be able to use the procedural flow for spinal and extremity examination.
- The therapist will be able to demonstrate palpation techniques for identification of surface and deep anatomy.
- At the conclusion of this seminar, the therapist will be able to demonstrate the concepts of mechanical differential diagnosis in regards to common clinical presentations for each tissue type.
- By completing the course activities, the therapist will understand the principles of both regional interdependence,tissue model, and manual therapy models as it relates to musculoskeletal dysfunction and symptoms.
- When the therapist finishes this course, he will be able to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of basic manual therapy treatment interventions including joint mobilization, manipulation, and soft tissue mobilization.
- After completion of this course, the therapist will be able to explain the indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and safe practice of manual therapy within the scope of physical therapy practice.
- In addition to the above, the therapist, after participating in this course, will begin to understand the influence of nutrition, hydration, and exercise on the musculoskeletal system.
General Schedule
Day One
- 7:30-8:00 Registration
- 8:00-8:15 Opening Remarks / Introduction
- 8:15-8:45 Evidence for Manual Therapy Treatment
- 8:45-9:30 Manual Therapy Based Clinical Examination
- 9:30-10:30 Clinical Reasoning and Examination Procedural Flow
- 10:30-10:45 Break
- 10:45-12:00 Live Patient Examination, Treatment and Discussion
- 12:00-1:00 Lunch
- 1:00-2:00 How Does Manual Therapy Work?
- 2:00-3:30 Knowledge Base Lecture
- 3:30-3:45 Break
- 3:45-4:30 Palpation and Segmental Testing Lab
- 4:30-5:30 Classroom Lab Exam and Treatment
Day Two
- 8:00-8:15 Review / Questions
- 8:15-9:15 Selective Tissue Testing Lab Lower Quarter
- 9:15-9:45 Usefulness and Reliability of Special Tests
- 9:45-10:15 Usefulness and Reliability of Diagnostic Imaging and Tests
- 10:15-10:30 Break
- 10:30-11:30 Live Patient Examination and Treatment
- 11:30-12:00 Treatment Planning and Manual Therapy Progression
- 12:00-1:00 Lunch
- 1:00-2:00 Selective Tissue Testing Lab Upper Quarter
- 2:00-3:00 Exercise Prescription and Functional Progression
- 3:00-3:30 Patient Compliance and Values
- 3:30-3:45 Break
- 3:45-4:30 Visceral/Endocrine/Nutrition Considerations
- 4:30-5:15 Chronic Pain Mechanisms
- 5:15-5:30 Closing Remarks / Course Evaluation