Shoulder Function
Quality Continuing Education for Neurorehabilitation Professionals
Course Description
The shoulder complex is crucial to obtaining and manipulating objects that we reach for, hold, and use throughout the day. The shoulder makes it possible for the hand to get through space and make contact with thousands of meaningful objects we use every day. Since this interdependence exists between the hand and the shoulder, we believe the shoulder should be addressed at the outset of treatment. The difficulty arises after stroke when the limb cannot be raised in space for typical usage. Shoulder muscles also work on surfaces as support and the concept of “weight-bearing” has been used historically. Topics that have not been explored for recovery of arm function are active support, the connection between the arm and leg, and the use of salient tools instead of therapy tools. Additionally, a long held belief that the arm recovers last, has influenced therapy expectations, actions, and outcomes. In this course, we will teach “arm first” strategies or Initial Practice Opportunities (IPOs) to activate the shoulder and engage the arm in meaningful activities. We will capitalize on the connection of the arm and the leg for producing action in the shoulder. We will teach you the power of salience and salient tools in traditional and non-traditional uses. As NeuroPro trained therapists, you will know how to start the recovery of the arm…first.
Ideal for:
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
of all experience levels and all clinical settings
Upon Completion
You’ll know how to:
Learn more detailed kinesiology of the shoulder complex to address impairments of the shoulder complex and use it to make better clinical decisions for arm function
Develop shoulder action in active support and progress to movement in space
Incorporate standing and leg actions to enhance shoulder muscle responses
Understand directions of reach, when to use two hands, or when to constrain the one hand for activating the shoulder
Evaluate intentions of typical clinical tools, their meaning (or lack of meaning) to patients, and which atypical tools might be better employed
Determine the usefulness of slings, braces, splints, and other devices
