Treatment of the Thoracic Orthopedic Patient

Course overview

Management of the patient with orthopedic dysfunction of thoracic origin is critical for the practice of physical therapy. It is required that therapists build upon their differential diagnostic and examination skills in order to form a more nuanced understanding of how to apply their findings to the management of more complex cases. That management should be a balanced incorporation of accepted general orthopedic treatment interventions, but also derive from applied knowledge of the nuances of the thoracic spine. Limited resources exist to assist therapists in integrating accepted concepts like regional interdependence, soft tissue and joint mobilization, as well as basic strengthening principles into the management of the thoracic patient. This course seeks to improve the clinicians decision making in treatment of this challenging population through building a systematic approach to their care. That decision making includes, but is not limited to, the need to refer or proceed to sensible evidence-based interventions.