Foundations: Modules 2-4

Course Description:

Foundations will transform your approach to adult rehab, recovery and return to fitness. In Module One, the viewer is introduced to a dynamic team of muscles, inclusive of the relationship between the diaphragm and pelvic floor. That team works together to balance muscular forces and pressures, creating an integrative model of dynamic central stability. Modules 2-4 identify and instruct the participant in optimized access of the system components. When this central team is coordinated and effectively linked with the rest of the superficial postural system, issues with the musculoskeletal system, movement patterns, pelvic health, and fitness can be addressed simultaneously. Integrated into movement and fitness programs, this inside-out strategy is reinforced and embedded to build automaticity and optimize outcomes.

Adapted for the online educational format, embedded video, case examples from recreational to high intensity athletes provide the viewer with ample opportunity to interact with the material and apply this approach in all areas of adult rehab and fitness (women’s health, orthopedics, sports medicine, fitness and neuro). The course is a bundled learning opportunity, with each of the modules building on the previous presentation.

Module One is an introduction to the theory, concepts, and evidence for the approach. Please begin there. You can purchase Module One by clicking here. When you’re hungry for more, you can purchase the rest of the modules by buying Modules 2-7 here or Modules 5-7 here.

Bundles

Click here for all bundles

Module Two: Optimized alignment promotes the availability of individual components of the anticipatory core (Diaphragm, Pelvic Floor, TA and Multifidus) and augments their teamwork. The position of the ribcage relative to the pelvis contributes to maximized breath mechanics, core component teamwork and a balance of multiple systems. An assessment paradigm for evaluation of alignment, including ribcage position, and corrective cueing is presented.

Module Three: The diaphragm is the powerful link between the postural control, movement, sensory, balance, pressure, GI and continence systems. Optimized action of the diaphragm is the gateway to interacting simultaneously with all of these systems in our treatments and fitness. Identifying barriers to optimal breath, including alignment considerations as well as abdominal and pelvic floor over-recruitment, are included in an accessible assessment model of breath mechanics. Easy to apply intervention strategies are presented.

Module Four: Understanding Pelvic floor as a teammate in the stability system rather than a spectator leads to simultaneous improvement of postural control, musculoskeletal, performance and pelvic health concerns such as incontinence and prolapse. Pelvic health providers interested in developing integrative programs and promoting a return to fitness will gain new tools. For those who are new to the pelvic floor, tips are included regarding external palpation (When and when not to? How?). Alternative indirect evaluation ideas are provided through observation, functional testing, and treatment options.

Online Course FAQ’s: Total run time of these three modules is approximately 6 hours of content. Each single viewer purchase allows for unlimited access: review, re-watch, rewind as often as you need to for as long as you like. The online course is essentially identical to the live version, but has boosted content (more mini-case studies, videos, cues, self-labs, evidence, etc.) to facilitate independent learning.

Course Objectives:

1. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to differentiate between the historical musculoskeletal interpretation of core strength and a neuromuscular, systems approach coined “core strategy”.
2. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to describe the influence of the optimal muscle recruitment order on postural control for a reaching task.
3. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to label the 4 components of the anticipatory core team.
4. By the end of this online course, the participant will be able to describe the interaction of the four anticipatory core components to synergistically prepare for movement.
5. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to describe 3 posture types using 1 rib cage and 1 pelvic positional descriptor for each.
6. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to identify 4 alignment screening tools to guide therapeutic exercise selection for a treatment session.
7. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to demonstrate 2 intervention techniques to optimize anticipatory core recruitment.
8. By the end of this online module, the participant will be able to integrate breath mechanics as a gateway for postural control for 2 functional and 2 fitness movements (ex-sit to stand; squat).
9. By the end of this online course the participant will be able to identify when it is and is not appropriate to palpate externally for pelvic floor activation in male and female clients.
10. By the end of this course the participant will be able to determine when to refer a client on for an internal pelvic floor examination.

Course Audience:

This course is designed to equip adult rehabilitation professionals with the evidence, theoretical constructs and practical clinical tools to provide a neuromuscular, systems- based clinical model for postural control, inclusive of the teamwork between the diaphragm, pelvic floor and pressure systems. Musculoskeletal, movement pattern, pelvic health, and fitness issues are addressed simultaneously when this central team is coordinated, then effectively linked to the rest of the postural, movement and performance systems. All participants should apply the information within their state/jurisdictional scope of practice.

The PT/OT will gain the theoretical basis, clinical reasoning and practical tools for integrating a neuromuscular, systems-based approach to postural control from assessment to evidenced based treatment plan development integrating pelvic, musculoskeletal, and performance health concepts. Co-professional collaboration and referral will be stressed.

The PTA/COTA will gain insight to the theoretical basis for assessment process, and reasoning behind the POC designed by the therapist. Course participation and experience with specific cueing, exercise guidelines, progression parameters and treatment methods will insure continuity of care.

The Athletic Trainer/Kinesiologist (AT)/Kin will gain insight into theory, evidence and practical tools for integration of the POC into an athletes training program keeping pelvic and musculoskeletal health in mind.

Link To Full Schedule

Course Schedule:

Module Two: Part One (35 min) Alignment

Alignment as access to optimized muscular recruitment, multiple systems and inputs to the brain

Module Two: Part Two (1.5 hrs.) Alignment Screen

Demonstration via lecture and video of detailed alignment screen Movement/Functional Screen (form efficiency) cueing and clinical pearls.

Module Three: Part One (approx. 45 min) Diaphragm and Breathing Mechanics

Anatomical and functional review of the Diaphragm and breath mechanics, dysfunctional dominance patterns, barriers to a balanced breath and breath mechanics intervention strategies are presented.

Module Three: Part Two (approx. 1.25 hr) Refine the Breath

Chest and Belly Breather intervention strategies. Concept synthesis through 2 mini-case-studies of CrossFit athletes.

Module Four: Part One (approx. 1 hr) Pelvic Floor/TA

Anatomical and functional review of pelvic floor and functional partnerships. External pelvic floor assessment: palpation, self-palpation and functional tests and interpretation.

Module Four: Part Two (approx. 1 hr.) Find the Piston

Pelvic Floor intervention strategies; connect to the Diaphragm and create the Piston. Pelvic Floor tips for interventions, integration into function, motor control and building automaticity Concept Synthesis through a continuation of mini-case studies.

Summary: Module 1-4 concept highlights, summary and clinical applications

I need a Certificate of Completion

At this time there is no course post-test or course completion certificate with this smaller bundle of modules.

Is the course eligible for CEU's?

Successful completion of Module one or completion of all Modules (a total of all 7 modules) previously was eligible for CCUs through Procert. The course has been broken into smaller module bundles for your convenience (1 only, 1-4, 2-4, 5-7), however only the bundle combinations noted above ascribed to any continuing education credit. Since Procert is no longer, this course does not have CEU credit associated with it at this time. Unfortunately it is cost and time prohibitive to submit to states individually for CEU approval for each course, but we are hoping for another company or avenue to come about with the PT Compact in the future to allow us to get course pre-approval again for continuing education credits.

Individuals can apply for CEU credit retroactively through their state board after taking the course (if their state allows it). Contact your board for details about the process. If you do go this route we would greatly appreciate it if you circled back with us to let us know about the approval as it would be helpful to share with others!

Computer Compatibility Needs

This course is hosted on the teachable.com online streaming service designed to handle any system setup. So if you have a computer and an internet connection you should have access without issue. If you have issues with a slower bandwidth connection then you can change the video settings to a lower quality to help improve any loading issues.

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