Advancements in the Management and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury

Why take this course?

This two-day advanced course is designed to provide progressive concepts to the medical professional involved in the rehabilitation management of the spinal cord injured patient. In today’s rehabilitation environment, therapists are being driven to be more aggressive toward utilizing a recovery model approach when treating a patient following a spinal cord injury. The basic skills learned in conventional model therapy are important but no longer enough to promote a higher level of recovery. Today’s research-based approaches, enable therapists to offer aggressive treatment with the focus on regaining the function that has been lost. Expecting a higher level of functional outcome requires a paradigm shift in our traditional thought process.

The focus of discussion in this course will be on current treatment approaches related to SCI rehabilitation. Special emphasis will be placed on specific evaluation skills using ASIA and ISCoS standards and more specific evaluation procedures for setting long-term functional expectations. A review of precautions and secondary injury mechanisms will be discussed with a more in-depth focus on spasticity management including assessment tools, identifying neural vs. non-neural origins of spasticity, and advances in local and systemic medical intervention. Participants will also be exposed to state of the art information to enhance their understanding of the treatment environment for the spinal cord injured population including the use of static and dynamic standing programs, augmentative movement therapies; and assistive gait intervention stimulating central generating processors. This course will explore both conventional and high-tech methods of achieving the best possible outcome and will assist the clinician in facilitating critical thinking when assisting their clients in achieving independent living and long-term self management.

Clinicians will be able to immediately apply the information from this course in the clinical setting and will be able to significantly impact the care of their patients by understanding the availability of current resources for the spinal cord injured patient. In addition, clinicians will learn strategies for skills progressions and translate them to meaningful change in order to enable rehab and equipment funding in today’s healthcare environment.

Course Objectives

• Discuss the historical trends in SCI therapy, contributions from the model systems and what constitutes a spinal cord therapy program
• Identify key components to therapy evaluation and indications for treatment planning.
• Differentiate between the ASIA/ISCoS evaluative process and a more specific evaluation based on recognizing specific muscle groups strength and compensatory contributions.
• Discuss differences in philosophy relative to treatment approaches utilizing a traditional compensatory therapy model vs. the more aggressive recovery model.
• Perform a kinesthetic analysis of compensatory movement patterns and strategize mobility progression; and will be able to set progressive goals accordingly.
• Discuss key issues related to evaluating spasticity and current trends in its management and usefulness toward motor learning.
• Review the secondary injury mechanisms and therapy precautions/interventions.
• Discuss, and apply the principles of seating, positioning and functional mobility.
• Explore environmental and computer access options.
• Discuss funding issues as they relate to procurement of physical therapy services in the inpatient and outpatient settings, and for procurement of assistive technology and mobility equipment.

Download a Brochure

Instructed by: Liza Meiksins, PT, DPT

Course Dates

State Continuing Education Course Approvals

All courses are pre-approved by the state licensing boards for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and athletic trainers for license renewal in the state the course is offered.

Courses provided by AOTA providers are accepted by NBCOT. 1 hour = 1.25 PDU. North American Seminars is an AOTA provider, provider #4487

North American Seminars, Inc. (BOC provider #P2047) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for the maximum stated hours of Category A hours/CEUs. Athletic Trainers should claim only those hours actually spent in the education program.

Special Need Request - Please submit a help ticket if you require any special needs in regards to registering or attending a course.

Private - Sponsorship or Custom Version of this Course for your Team