Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation

Catalog description

This course introduces students to physical therapy rehabilitative techniques that assist patients in returning to astate of optimal function. The course builds upon students’ previous knowledge of data collection, special tests, patient diagnoses/conditions and medical and physical therapy management acquired in PTA 160 Kinesiology & Clinical Orthopedics, and applies it to medically complex patients with numerous comorbidities and those with chronic pain associated with spinal disorders. Students are taught the neuroscience of pain and various treatment techniques including Sahrmann and McKenzie, expanding their ability to treat patients with impairments effecting the axial skeleton and those in need of core stabilization. The course is then directed towards patients requiring more extensive rehabilitation including patients with non-organic pain, spinal cord injury, neurological dysfunction, and amputation. Contemporary orthotics, prosthetics, and assistive devices are discussed for the patient with an orthopedic or neurological injury/condition. Neuroanatomy, neurodevelopment, motor control, motor performance, motor learning, and related clinical applications are presented. Neuro-rehabilitation techniques/theorists and patient management skills emphasized include PNF , NDT , Brunnstrom, and Rood. Facilitation and inhibition of abnormal tone are discussed to promote functional training, pre-gait and balance activities utilizing the appropriate stage of motor control. Students are taught to recognize and respond to cognitive, communication, sensory, visual, perceptual, and affective impairments when interacting with patients. Appropriate tools and functional measures for related orthopedic and neurological injuries/ conditions are discussed to assist students in reporting patient status and function. The unique needs of special populations, such as pediatrics, and specialized clinical environments, such as work hardening and aquatics, are also discussed. Architectural barriers and accessibility regulations are analyzed, and environmental modifications for home, community and work are determined, as well as the patient’sneed for adaptive equipment and assistive technologies. The unique needs of special populations, such as pediatrics, and specialized clinical environments, such as work hardening and aquatics, are also discussed. Architectural barriers and accessibility regulations are analyzed and environmental modifications for home, community and work will be determined, as well as patients’ need for adaptive equipment and assistive technologies.