Course Description

This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between assessment, treatment planning, and general and specific treatment considerations (utilizing all manual therapy techniques including hydrotherapy and rehabilitation exercises) of conditions from PPHYS 103, 203 and 303 (Conditions of the muscular system, nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular and lymphatic system, neuroendocrine system, digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system, reproductive and integumentary system). Students will learn about the common dysfunctions typical in certain populations or due to certain activities or lifestyle habits. Pathologies with multifactorial conditions such as inflammation, infection, scarring, swelling, congestion, movement restrictions and malignancy will be discussed. Stages of life will be considered, such as: pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, senior years and end of life. Treatment principles and considerations will be discussed and applied for neurological conditions (central nervous system, peripheral nervous system), orthopedic conditions (conditions of bone and periosteum, muscles and tendon, fascia, skin and connective tissue, synovial joints, cartilage, ligaments, bursa, as well as systemic myofascial and systemic orthopedic conditions, and post-surgical conditions (orthopedic interventions, artificial openings, implants). This course will bring together all the components of an effective Massage Therapy treatment plan. It will include the Case History, Assessment, Massage Treatment and Homecare exercise. Using hypothetical and real clinical case studies, students will learn how to create initial and on-going treatment plans for their patients. There will be anatomy review with each area of treatment (i.e. head/neck, back/thorax, lower limb, upper limb).