The Cervical Spine

Mechanical neck pain conditions can be troublesome for any athlete, but most can be managed well with conservative therapies. Nevertheless, neck pain is characteristically recurrent and its lifetime impact should not be underestimated. Management must aim to first address the presenting condition and resolve the acute episode of neck pain. The challenge is the second stage of treatment that aims to prevent or limit the recurrence of neck pain to improve future quality of life and sports performance. This broader aspect of effective secondary prevention should be a focus of both clinical practice and research.

We all know that as the most mobile region of the vertebral column the cervical spine is vulnerable to trauma, as well as to problems of apparently spontaneous onset. Determining the source of the problem is essential before selecting a treatment regime.

Part 1 and 2 of this correspondence course provides a comprehensive guide to the examination of the cervical spine and clinically associated anatomical regions.

The physical examination section is reinforced with 10 photographs that will assist you with the performance of the examination and treatment techniques.

We all know that as the most mobile region of the vertebral column the cervical spine is vulnerable to trauma, as well as to problems of apparently spontaneous onset. Determining the source of the problem is essential before selecting a treatment regime. 

Part 1 and 2 of this correspondence course provides a comprehensive guide to the examination of the cervical spine and clinically associated anatomical regions. 

The physical examination section is reinforced with 10 photographs that will assist you with the performance of the examination and treatment techniques.

How do you isolate the syndromes or conditions that could result in diagnoses like Zygapophyseal Joint Arthralgia, Zygapophyseal joint – acute locking, recurrent locking of cervical Zygapophyseal joints, discogenic pain and cervical nerve root pain? How do you select the most appropriate treatment modality?

These on-line courses discuss some essential concepts every physiotherapist needs in his/her arsenal when faced with some of the common cervical conditions for which manipulative therapy and exercises have a major role in over-all management.

How do you isolate the syndromes or conditions that could result in diagnoses like Zygapophyseal Joint Arthralgia, Zygapophyseal joint – acute locking, recurrent locking of cervical Zygapophyseal joints, discogenic pain and cervical nerve root pain? How do you select the most appropriate treatment modality? 

These on-line courses discuss some essential concepts every physiotherapist needs in his/her arsenal when faced with some of the common cervical conditions for which manipulative therapy and exercises have a major role in over-all management.

How do you isolate the syndromes or conditions that could result in diagnoses like Zygapophyseal Joint Arthralgia, Zygapophyseal joint – acute locking, recurrent locking of cervical Zygapophyseal joints, discogenic pain and cervical nerve root pain? How do you select the most appropriate treatment modality? 

These on-line courses discuss some essential concepts every physiotherapist needs in his/her arsenal when faced with some of the common cervical conditions for which manipulative therapy and exercises have a major role in over-all management.

Did you know that Cervicogenic headache probably accounts for between 10 and 20% of benign headaches? Did you know that there is a growing body of evidence that multimodal physical therapy can assist these patients?

Fundamental to the successful management of cervicogenic headache is the differential diagnosis of headache.

Did you know that Cervicogenic headache probably accounts for between 10 and 20% of benign headaches? Did you know that there is a growing body of evidence that multimodal physical therapy can assist these patients?

Fundamental to the successful management of cervicogenic headache is the differential diagnosis of headache.

Part two of this course describes the physical examination of the headache patient and covers the articular, the muscle systems, the neuro motor control, muscle strength and postural form. It also deals with the management of cervicogenic headache utilising manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and more.

Whiplash. It can happen so easily yet its consequences can be long lasting and debilitating. This course provides an insight into the complex set of mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of chronic WAD.

It also highlights the facts physiotherapists need to take into account when dealing with both the acute and chronic stages of WAD in order to reduce chronicity associated with this condition.

Whiplash. It can happen so easily yet its consequences can be long lasting and debilitating. This course provides an insight into the complex set of mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of chronic WAD. 

It also highlights the facts physiotherapists need to take into account when dealing with both the acute and chronic stages of WAD in order to reduce chronicity associated with this condition.

It’s every physiotherapist’s worst nightmare: something going horribly wrong during examination and treatment of a patient.

This course examines the issue of neurovascular complications such as vertebrobasilar arterial dissection following Cervical Manipulative Therapy and evaluates whether or how physiotherapists can avoid or prevent the nightmare.

Dizziness is an extremely common complaint yet is also a very difficult condition to diagnose – and therefore to treat. This on-line course demonstrates how manual therapy can substantially reduce symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness.

Headache is a common and often incapacitating condition. It is estimated that a headache in some form is experienced by at least 50% of the population, often leading to a visit to a general practitioner or physiotherapist. The number of structures and disorders capable of causing headaches is considerable. This on-line course describes a case study of a patient with chronic headaches which had not been helped by range of previous interventions given by the patient’s GP, Neurologist and other healthcare professionals. The course will teach you/or show you a thorough assessment and subsequently effective evidence based treatment. The neurophysiological effect of the treatment is provided.

If a patient suffers with neck and radiating arm pain or numbness, sensory deficits, or motor dysfunction in the neck and upper extremities, it could be the result of cervical radiculopathy. 

This course examines the condition from a pathoanatomical perspective in order to help you to diagnose and then formulate the most appropriate treatment modality.

This illustrated Dry Needling online course covers: 

• the clinical presentation of TrPs in head and neck pain syndromes

• trigger points (TrPs) in neck pain populations 

Illustration and needling instructions of Dry Needling techniques for the following neck muscles are provided: 

• Trapezius muscle: upper portion

• Levator scapulae muscle

• Sternocleidomastoid muscle

• Splenius capitis muscle

• Splenius cervicis muscle

• Semispinalis capitis and cervicis muscles

• Suboccipital muscles

• Cervical multifidi muscle

• Scalene muscles 

Their anatomy, function, innervation and contra-indications for Dry Needling are also included.