The Combined Approach: The Myofascial Spine

Understanding and integrating treatment for myofascial restrictions to spinal and rib movement.

About the Course

(For future course listings, click here)

The myofascial system envelopes the spine and the body and alterations to normal muscle tone and myofascial compliance can disrupt movement and control. As well as mobilising and manipulating articular joint restrictions, specific corrections to spinal segmental joint dysfunction of myofascial origin allows for a more complete restoration of spinal movement, improving segmental loading, control and feedback.

Focusing on altered muscle states, this course will cover the clinical relevance, assessment and treatment of myofascial restrictions to segmental movement of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines and ribs. We look at local movement and control and at the clinical relevance of myofascial slings.

This course provides manual therapists with a clinical toolbox of myofascial release approaches and techniques. An important part of this assessment is to differentiate between articular and myofascial restrictions to movement so as to better tailor treatment to the presenting dysfunction. Working area by area through the spine we will discuss and look at manual assessment of movement to make this articular/myofascial distinction, and then cover the application of a range of interesting myofascial models of intervention and technique to assess and treat altered contractural states and sensitivity. We cover PPIVM and PPAIVM assessment and models such as:

Fascial Release
Positional release technique
Muscle energy technique
Trigger-point release
Respiratory release
Negative Pressure (Cupping)

This course was written in 2014 for the 2015 Physiofirst conference Soft Tissue: The Hard Truths.

Tutor: Howard Turner MCSP

DAY ONE
09:30	Registration
10:00	An introduction to the principles and a rationale for interpreting and assessing myofascial disorders
10:30	Introductory exercise to illustrate the clinical relevance of myofascial work
11:00	BREAK
11:15	Practical: Thoracic Spine and Ribs PPIVM assessment of thoracic segmental and rib movement and restrictions Differentiating myofascial restrictions from articular restrictions in the thoracic spine Identifying and treating movement and respiratory dysfunction of the ribs
12:30	LUNCH
13:15	Ribs, continued
14:30	Practical: Cervical Spine PPIVM assessment of cervical segmental movement and restrictions Differentiating myofascial from articular restrictions of the cervical spine Assessing and treating myofascial restrictions including muscle energy techniques Associated trigger points and muscle restrictions
15:30	BREAK
16:00	Neck, Continued
17:00	CLOSE
DAY TWO
09:00	Practical: The Lumbo-pelvic Complex Integrating myofascial principles into the assessment of the lumbar spine PPIVM assessment of the lumbar spine Differentiating myofascial from articular restrictions in the lumbar spine Assessing and treating myofascial restrictions in the lumbar spine and abdomen Muscle Energy techniques in the lumbar spine Associated trigger points and muscular restrictions in the lumbopelvic complex
10:30	BREAK
11:00	Lumbopelvic complex continued
13:00-14:00	FINISH

Timetable approximate

FUTURE COURSE LISTINGS – MYOFASCIAL SPINE

Would you like to arrange a course in your own department or clinic? We are always looking for new venues. You get two free places or a share of the proceeds. Get in touch and we’ll show you how.

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02/03 July 2022

(Moved from 21/22 May 2022)