SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATIONS TO THE SHOULDER-SCAPULA COMPLEX

Course overview

During the past few decades, myofascial trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome have received much attention in the scientific and clinical literature. Guidelines developed by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (IFOMT) confirm the importance of muscle dysfunction for orthopedic manual therapy clinical practice. The IFOMT has defined orthopedic manual therapy as ¿a specialized area of physiotherapy/physical therapy for the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises.¿ However, research on muscle dysfunction in the manual therapy literature is sparse and the focus has been on muscle injury and muscle repair mechanisms or on muscle recruitment. Until very recently, the current scientific knowledge and clinical treatment of trigger points were rarely included. This is reflected by the current gap in educational training in manual educational programs in the U.S., as there is a strong focus on joint mobilizations and manipulation compared to manual therapy interventions for muscle pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this course is to provide a best evidence-informed review of the current scientific understanding of trigger points including the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical implications for treatment, against the background of extensive clinical experience. This course expands on the best available evidence for the assessment and treatment of trigger points by providing video-based techniques promoted by experts in the field of manual therapy. A focus of this course is the proper execution of techniques, which will be clearly illustrated with video-based examples.