PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF MODALITIES FOR THE UPPER QUADRANT (PAM CERTIFIED)

This is a hands-on course that covers the essentials of modalities necessary to treat the shoulder, elbow and the hand complex. It is specifically designed for the practicing upper extremity specialist/ certified hand therapist to think critically and apply clinical reasoning in the application of physical agent modalities to correctly treat the upper extremity with modalities to achieve optimal clinical results. It covers the basic physical, physiologic and therapeutic principles of each modality and relates these to the clinical decision-making process involved in treating patients with various and complex UE disorders. Following a discussion of the basic science and principles behind the application of each modality will be a laboratory portion of the course. The lab portion of the course will consist of practical hands-on application of the modalities to the management of upper extremity disorders, including relevant case studies that will help hone clinical reasoning skill in the application of the specific modality to treat a specific diagnosis.

  • Describe the physical and physiologic principles in the therapeutic application of modalities for the management of upper extremity disorders.
  • Discuss the effects of the modalities on clinical problems, including: pain, swelling, inflammation, muscle atrophy, ROM or wound healing for the Shoulder, Elbow Wrist and Hand
  • Demonstrate clinical reasoning in the selection and safe, effective application of modalities to pathologies of the upper extremity.
  • Demonstrate safe and effective application of each modality to representative cases

KEY SPEAKERS:

  • Charles Costello, P.T., PhD, C.H.T.

COURSE DURATION:

  • 4 Days
  • 30 Hours Contact Session for PAM (Part 1: 16 hrs, Part 2: 14 hrs)

COURSE SCHEDULE

 DAY 1 Minutes
7:30Pre test / registration 30
8:00Physical agents in occupational therapyTheory240
8:30Physical principles of electricity and electric currents
9:30Therapeutic electric currents – nomenclature & characteristics
10:30Electro-physiology of excitable tissues – nerves & muscles stimulation
12:00Lunch  
1:00Lab: Electrotherapy equipment, currents and parametersUnderstanding Electrical stimulation, its principles and electrotherapeutic currents60
2:30Principles of pain control with electrotherapy 60
3:30Lab: pain control with electrotherapy – TENS, interferential, Hyperstimulation analgesia, H-waveElectrical stimulation of muscles innervated in management of upper extremity disorders90
Electrotherapy for pain management in the upper limb Use of TENS and its application:
Different applications for localized Vs. radiating pain in the UE
Interferential and Pre-modulated currents.
H-wave basics
5:00Q & A 30
   510

DAY 2

 Neuromuscular Electric Stimulation  
8:00Principles & therapeutic applications of electrical stimulation of muscle – innervated & denervatedUse of NMES on disused shoulder and other musculature, to increase strength.150 
 
10:30Lab: Electrical stimulation of muscle with clinical scenarios: Learn the motor points to activate certain muscles / groups.Use of NMES to increase ROM.90 
Use of NMES on to increase strength in wrist and hand strength and to prevent adhesions, to allow for pull through of the tendons (FDP/ FDS FPL, EPL etc). Case Studies: Learn the various settings to activate different muscle tendon units in the UE for improving scapular control, to increasing strength in the RTC. From triceps activation to extensor recruitment in wrist drop. Or to initiate tendon pull through to prevent adhesions, or in cases of ulnar nerve palsy enhancing intrinsic function. 
12:00Lunch  
1:00Biofeedback 90 
Monophasic & micro current applicationsMonophasic applications for wound healing, edema & inflammation, Hivolt under water; iontophoresis 
2:30Lab: Biofeedback 120 
Monophasic & micro current applications  
4:30Q and A 30 
   480 

DAY 3

8:00Physical principles of heat and heat transferConduction convection theories30 
9:00Inflammation & healingLearn the principles of superficial thermal agents60 
10:00Physiologic & therapeutic effects of heat & cold: (hot packs, paraffin, fluidotherapy) (cold pack, ice massage, contrasting baths, vasopneumatic devices ) 60 
11:00Superficial heat & cold applicationsVasopneumatic devicesHow superficial modalities like heat and ice work,60 
 
 Case studies  
12:00Lunch  
1:00Lab: Superficial heat & cold applications           Vasopneumatic devicesHeat & cold (hot packs, paraffin, fluidotherapy; cold pack, ice massage, contrast baths, vasopneumatic devices) Practical application: The best modality for the case at hand using evidence based research, clinical expertise: When to use it, which one & how to use it to increase ROM, or reduce swelling (with Wrap/ elevation) etc90 
 
2:30Therapeutic diathermies – shortwave & ultrasoundUnderstanding principles of SWD, US and phonophoresis120 
Application of US to improve ROM, manage scar and adhesions, tendonitis in different regions of the Upper extremity
Anti Inflammatory modalities: for Tendonitis:  Phonophoresis; Pulsed US, SWD;
4:30Q & ACase studies, problem solving cases with thermal modalities30 
   450 

DAY 4

8:00Light TherapyPhysical and physiological effects ofLaser & LEDs120
Physiological effects & therapeutic applications of Laser & LEDs
10:00AMLab: US & Light applicationsApplication of US to improve ROM, manage scar and adhesions, tendonitis in different regions of the Upper extremity120
Application of LLLT
12:00Lunch 
1:00Clinical pharmacology:Pharmacological agents used with phonophoresis  and Iontophoresis30
1:30Integration of physical agents with other therapeutic & purposeful interventions. 60
2:30 Questions 30
3:00Post test & course assessment 
   360
  TOTAL MINUTES1800


Register for the course
 

Lab portion allows for time to practice with each of these modalities.
Contact Hours: 30