The Physiological Impact of Chronic Pain

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Why should a physical therapist, or athletic trainer take this myofascial release continuing education course?

Over 100 million Americans currently complain of chronic pain. When pain becomes chronic there are common changes that occur within the body. The physiological impact pain has on the nervous system and the brain will result in a multiple system stress response. Do you understand how this can impact your patients functional activities and quality of life?

Learn how a therapist can reverse the chronic pain cycle with a focus on the physiological effects of pain, and the implications it has on the whole body. Evidence based material and research is presented throughout the course to assist the therapist in developing optimal treatment approaches for chronic pain patients.

Rehab clinical tools instructed in this myofascial release continuing education course to enhance your functional outcomes.

  • Define pain/chronic pain and on how the brain processes neurophysiological pain
  • Patient assessment plans utilizing evidence based pain assessment tools
  • Resources for therapeutic treatment options for chronic pain patients

Specific instruction that will enhance your understanding and ability to deliver better patient care.

  • Incorporate manual, cognitive and movement skills into a successful chronic pain program
  • Techniques to manipulate the neurologic response, decrease the perception of pain, change tissue tone, prepare the tissue for movement and improve normal movement patterns including: dermatome stroking, mechanoreceptor stimulation/inhibition, postural muscle bending, myofascial release, rhythmic traction, rhythmic stabilization and acupressure
  • Inhibition techniques, trigger point and soft tissue skills in order to positively affect the sympathetic nervous system
  • Mind/body visualization exercises to assist the patient with decreasing the firing of the nervous system
  • Functional training activities that assist patients in maintaining positive gains made with manual therapy sessions

Features unique to this chronic pain ce course

  • Techniques for behavioral and cognitive therapy to train healthy neuroplasticity including: Controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindful visualization, body imprinting add body scan relaxation
  • Therapeutic sensory stimulation exercises such as exertion reduced exercises, including standing, chair mat activities in addition to modified Yoga and Tai Chi designed for the chronic pain patient
  • Techniques to incorporate the nervous system., mind and whole physical body approach
  • Research on the development of optimal treatment approaches for chronic pain patients

Professional Accreditation

This is an intermediate level course applicable for PT, PTA, OT, AT. Physical Therapy Accreditation: For specific state information, use the accreditation verification menu and select your state of license. AOTA: provider #4487, Occupational therapy professional development activity: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, evaluation and intervention, and Foundation Knowledge: human body, development, and behavior. Athletic Trainers: BOC provider #P2047, category A. This course has not been submitted for Evidence-Based BOC approval.

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View PT, PTA, OT and AT Continuing Education Course State Accreditation

Responsible CME® - Testimonials


I am currently working in a chronic pain clinic with aquatic therapy. The techniques in this course are easily applied in the water as well! Excited to use on my patients!! -- Janeen, Physical Therapist

This course was excellent with treatment techniques that are very applicable to my patient population. -- Margaret, PT

I'm excited to see this method of thought being applied by physical therapists. The instructor is easy to follow. The transcripts are helpful with following the video lectures. -- Jennifer, PTA

This course was just what I was looking for to help me understand pain management better. Thank you! -- Beverly, PT

Really well-done, thoroughly. Balanced content of science and technique. Effective presentation style and methodology. -- Mark, PT

Excellent review of anatomy, physiology, and techniques. -- Joseph, PT

Meet your Continuing Education License Requirements for $189

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The Physiological Impact of Chronic Pain

$175.00

  • CE Hours: 10.0 hrs, 1.0 CEU
  • Delivered: Online
  • Instant Online Access, Color 102 Page PDF Manual for Download, 365 days of access, Mobile Ready

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1 Year Access with Annual Renewal

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Prices are in US dollars
  • 12 months of access to all online courses, course tests and state approval certificates.
  • Meet all your CE requirements. Pre-approved for PT, PTAs in AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
  • AOTA approved.
  • Designed for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Athletic Trainers and Assistants.
  • Access to future courses and content.
  • Start, stop and resume, right where you left off in a course.
  • Real patient interviews.
  • Medical expert contributors.
  • 3D anatomy and medical illustrations.
  • Easy to use learning system for fast access to your courses.
  • Award winning content.
  • Top instructors teaching evidence based skills and techniques.

Highlights of this Online Continuing Education Course


PT OT Online continuing education course objectives

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course participants will be able to
  • Discuss the definition of chronic pain and how it affects the nervous system and the brain.
  • Identify the types of pain and the importance of understanding which phase your patient is in.
  • Identify the current research on chronic pain and determine the most effective studies that can positively impact your treatment approach.
  • Discuss the physiological impact pain has on the nervous system and the brain and the resulting multiple-system stress response.
  • Define the nociceptive process.
  • Discuss the sympathetic nervous system response to pain.
  • Identify specific disorders that can happen with each system of the body when chronic pain is left untreated.
  • Identify the neurological and structural changes when chronic pain exists within the body.
  • Utilize the appropriate evidence-based pain assessment tools.
  • Utilize a multifaceted integrative approach to treating chronic pain patients.
  • Identify the available evidence-based therapeutic treatment options available.
  • Utilize manual, cognitive and movement skills in your treatment approach.
  • Identify optimal regions within a muscle to apply specific manual therapy techniques for beneficial results.
  • Discuss the anatomy of specific muscles and the nervous system and know how to apply manual techniques to these anatomical structures to decrease chronic pain.
  • Perform the following techniques: dermatome stroking, mechanoreceptor stimulation/inhibition, postural muscle bending, myofascial release, rhythmic traction, rhythmic stabilization and acupressure.
  • Perform inhibition techniques, trigger point and soft tissue work.
  • Perform and teach your patient how to do mind/body visualization exercises, controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindful visualization, body imprinting and body scan relaxation.
  • Teach your patient how to perform exertion reduced exercises to promote functional movement patterns while avoiding nervous system strain.
  • Teach your patient to take control of their progress while performing sensory stimulation exercises.
  • Modify Yoga and Tai Chi techniques for the chronic pain patient.
  • Develop an integrative approach that incorporates the whole body to effectively treating the chronic pain patient and achieve positive functional results and decreased pain.

Learn from the Expert - Jennifer Goff, MSPT, NCS, CLT, CVT


Learn from the Expert
  • Certified Neuro Specialist
  • Educator’s approach to chronic pain
  • Combining different philosophies of thought when it comes to chronic pain
Learn More about Jennifer Goff

Chronic Pain, the Sympathetic Nervous System and Pain Pathways


Introduction to Chronic Pain
  • Advancements in our understanding of what happens physiologically with chronic pain
  • Sympathetic nervous system and chronic pain
  • Assessment tools for pain
  • Nociceptive, neuropathic and psychogenic pain
  • How to teach a patient to modulate their pain
  • What happens in the body when pain perception continues for more than six months?

Manual Therapy Overview


Manual Therapy Overview
  • Treatment at the injury site, new injury or old injury?
  • Therapeutic treatments to treat chronic pain, which incorporates neurological, physical, and psychological factors
  • The different approaches for acute pain vs chronic pain
  • Methods to decrease chronic pain
  • Acupressure
  • Myofascial release
  • Rhythmic traction and rotation
  • Muscle bending
  • Mechanoreceptor inhibition
  • Manual skills, setting goals
  • Importance of functional training after manual therapy

Manual Therapy to Decrease the Firing of Sympathetic Nervous System


Manual Therapy to Decrease the Firing of Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Specific manual therapy techniques to decrease the firing of the sympathetic nervous system
  • Techniques to decrease tone
  • SNS stroking
  • Muscle bending

Manual Therapy Using the Peripheral Nervous System


Manual Therapy Using the Peripheral Nervous System
  • Using the PNS to calm down the CNS
  • Specific manual therapy techniques
  • Myofascial release techniques

Manual Therapy: Head, Cervical Region


Manual Therapy: Head, Cervical Region
  • Manual therapy for the sternocleidomastoid
  • Manual therapy for the frontalis, temporalis, trapezius and levator
  • Head and neck pain
  • Trigger point techniques
  • Myofascial techniques
  • Muscle bending techniques
  • Rhythmic traction/li>

Manual Therapy: Cervical-Thoracic, Upper Body and Shoulder Regions


Manual Therapy: Cervical-Thoracic, Upper Body and Shoulder Regions
  • Symptoms associated with specific muscle imbalance
  • Manual therapy for scalenes
  • Manual therapy for the anterior, middle and posterior deltoid
  • Manual therapy for the pectoralis major and minor
  • Manual therapy for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus
  • Rhythmic breathing coordinated with manual therapy
  • Trigger point and acupressure points

Manual Therapy: Thoracolumbar Region


Manual Therapy: Thoracolumbar Region
  • Manual techniques for the thoracolumbar fascia
  • Manual techniques for the latissimus

Manual Therapy: Rhomboids, Subscapularis, Serratus


Manual Therapy: Rhomboids, Subscapularis, Serratus
  • Specific techniques demonstrated
  • Technique to determine if source of pain is rhomboids or another contributing factor
  • COPD and serratus

Manual Therapy: Hip Region and Alternate Lumbar Spine Technique


Manual Therapy: Hip Region and Alternate Lumbar Spine Technique
  • Manual therapy for the gluteal musculature
  • Manual therapy for the piriformis
  • Manual therapy for the tensor Fascia latae
  • Manual therapy for the Iliopsoas
  • Manual therapy for the adductors
  • Alternate positions to treat the lumbar Spine region

Manual Therapy: Joint Receptors and Acupressure


Manual Therapy: Joint Receptors and Acupressure
  • Manual therapy techniques to stimulate the joint receptors
  • Integrative techniques Utilizing acupressure
  • Functional tests to establish a baseline and documented improvements

Behavior Cognitive Training


Behavior Cognitive Training
  • Cognitive skills
  • Neuroplastic training
  • Breathing training
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Mindfulness-based relaxation
  • Mind-body connection
  • Body scan relaxation

Exertion Reduced Exercise


Exertion Reduced Exercise
  • Techniques to train the nervous system to move through healthy patterns
  • Transitional tools and exercises
  • Neuromuscular reeducation

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge


Evaluate your understanding of the online continuing education course material
  • 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.