Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsons Continuing Education

Course Objectives

Course Objectives

• Discuss the underlying disease process of Multiple Sclerosis and the impact of neuroinflammation on the progression of this disease.
• Discuss the importance of gut bacteria and vitamin D and its impact on health and disease.
• Identify the physiological process of remyelination and how this process impacts the symptoms of people with Multiple Sclerosis.
• Discuss the diagnostic tools utilized today to establish a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the current treatment protocols that are promoting positive functional outcomes.
• Discuss the underlying disease process of Parkinson's and LGMD and understand how to modify evaluation and treatment programs to optimize the outcomes.
• Recognize the assessment tools and measurement scales that are commonly used for specific neurological disease and incorporate the use of these tools within your treatment program to properly assess changes/gains in functional status.
• Identify key physical characteristics presented in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's and Muscular Dystrophy.
• Incorporate Tai Chi, Pilates and Boxing into a comprehensive program to improve balance, coordination, gait, fall risk and quality of life..
• Develop comprehensive evaluation techniques to obtain key information while optimizing the energy efficiency of the patient.
• Develop comprehensive rehab programs for the neurologically involved patient to optimize energy efficient functional movement.
• Apply specific Pilates exercises for a variety of musculoskeletal dysfunctions to increase core strength, coordination and endurance.

The Neurologists Perspective

• The Science of Neurology
• Neurodegeneration
• Neuroinflammation
• Multiple Sclerosis and Inflammation
• What drives the disease progression in multiple sclerosis?

Epidemiology of Neurological Disease

• Current medications for Multiple Sclerosis
• Potential side effects of medications for specific neurological diseases
• Gut bacteria and its role in neurological health
• Understand the genome of the nervous system

Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis

• History of identifying the disease process associated with Multiple Sclerosis
• Internal and external factors that contribute to the degeneration of the neurological system
• Common viruses and physiological conditions that can contribute to a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
• Pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis
• Biggest functional challenges with Multiple Sclerosis
• Current Medications that are presenting promising outcomes

The Medical Diagnosis

• Referral to a neurologist for a comprehensive differential diagnostic examination
• Overview of the functional examination in a neurologist?s examination
• Diagnostic strategies
• Investigate the different parts of the nervous system and their function.
• MS Severity Scale

Current Medication and Treatment for MS

• Current medications currently used to treat Multiple Sclerosis
• The positive impact of therapeutic rehabilitation and ADL management
• What are the biggest hurdles with a MS diagnosis?
• Multiple Sclerosis and pregnancy, Is it advisable?
• Advances in medicine and the future management of Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction to Sara Koveleski Kraut, PT, DPT and Her Philosophy to Rehab

• Professional background of a therapist treating Neurological Diseases.
• The power of integrating fitness exercises into rehab programs
• Common exercises from the fitness world that can be incorporated into a progressive rehab program
• Details on the creative aspects of treatment plan creation

Therapy Concepts for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and An Interview with a MS Patient-Understanding her Journey

• Keep it functional
• Common symptoms experienced with Multiple Sclerosis
• Clinical presentation with Multiple Sclerosis
• Challenges that need to be considered when utilizing a progressive rehab program

A Patient’s Perspective:

• The realization that you have MS
• Explaining the symptoms of MS
• The challenge of getting the right diagnosis.
• First person detail of an MS attack.
• Learning how to deal with fatigue and a variety of challenging symptoms

Overview of Evaluation and Therapy Plan for a MS Patient-Case Presentation

• The impact of therapy on the MS patient
• Common gait and balance symptoms
• Components of a comprehensive evaluation
• Common Assessment and Diagnostic Tools utilized to establish a baseline and document progression
• Developing a successful treatment plan with realistic goals
• Physical and occupational therapy to address mobility, balance and muscle stiffness
• Activities, exercises and specific technique such as Yoga and Pilates to improve endurance, balance and overall function

Meet a Parkinson’s Patient and Review His Treatment

• Meet a former Russian engineer with Parkinson’s Disease
• Watch his extensive interview and learn to identify signs and symptoms
• Hear from family members on their observations and struggles
• Learn to treat the whole person and not just a disease
• Prioritizing treatment and keeping it functional
• Developing treatment programs that address rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and gait issues

Parkinson’s Disease Overview and Assessment

• Clinical presentation of Parkinson’s disease
• Understand the clinical presentation of tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability and gait deviations in the Parkinson’s patient
• Other common symptoms related to Parkinson?s disease
• Gait and Balance disorders associated with Parkinson's disease
• Key areas to evaluate
• Standardized Tests and Measurement Outcome Scales utilized with Parkinson’s patients

Use of Pilates in Rehabilitation for Parkinson’s Disease

• Use of Pilates in Rehabilitation for Parkinson’s Disease
• Bridging
• Supine
• Supine on a Half Foam Roll
• With Swiss Ball under the legs
• Spine Twist
• Sitting in a chair
• Sitting in a chair with Resistance Band behind the back
• Side Kick Series - Front/Back, Circles, Bicycle
• Mermaid
• Front Leg Pull - modified to Front Leg Pull Preparation
• With/without Resistance Band
• Swimming
• Prone
• Standing
• In quadruped
• In quadruped over Swiss Ball
• Hamstring Stretch Series with Pilates Ring
• Prone Trunk Extension with Pilates Ring
• Scapular Elevation/Depression with Foam Roll
• Prone
• Sitting at a table with Foam Roll on table at chest height
• Scapular Protraction/Retraction with Foam Roll
• Sidelying
• Standing in doorway with Foam Roll vertically on the wall
• Trunk Extension with forearms on Foam Roll
• Swan Dive on Swiss Ball

Creative Exercises for Treating Parkinson’s Disease

• Learn to use boxing and Tai Chi exercises for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
• Investigate a study of six Parkinson’s patients that participated in a boxing training program
• Using the Pilates reformer in your treatment plan
• Developing a follow-up plan

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge

• Use the Healthclick proprietary online education system which provides the online student with:
• Worldwide access to high definition video, anatomical animations and images, and written information
• The highest quality film in the industry, you can see the difference!
• Stop and resume within a course, the Healthclick system will optimize your course based on your device, connection and remembers where you left off.
• Real-time course updates. We are always adding to each courses, updating content, adding animations, these are not static courses!
• Evaluate your knowledge with the course test on any device.
• Print your state course certificate for CE credit.
• Take the online test as many times as need in order to achieve a 70 % or greater score.