Teaching Programs

Comprehensive evidence based teaching programs are offered that emphasise both safety and effectiveness in the delivery of High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) thrust techniques.

Teaching/Learning modules in Spinal Manipulation have been developed by the authors of the text 'Manipulation of the Spine, Thorax and Pelvis: An Osteopathic Perspective' and have been successfully taught in Universities and to licensed health care practitioners in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.

Three teaching/learning modules are currently offered and these can be modified to suit the skill level and outcomes desired by course participants. The modules broadly follow the outlines below:

Spinal Manipulation - Module 1
Spinal Manipulation - Module 2
Spinal Manipulation - Module 3

Spinal Manipulation - Module 1

Objectives

At the completion of Module 1, participants will be able to:

Discuss the current best evidence relating to spinal manipulative therapy (SMT).
Describe the risks and benefits of SMT.
List absolute and relative contraindications of SMT.
Discuss the evidence supporting the use and interpretation of clinical tests for Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) & upper cervical instability.
Discuss the rationale for the use of HVLA thrust techniques.
Describe and demonstrate the spinal positioning and locking in different regions of the spine necessary to ensure patient comfort, safety and the effective delivery of HVLA thrust techniques.

Program

DAY 1:
08:00 – 08:30	Welcome and Introductions
08:30 – 09:30	HVLA thrust techniques
	Lecture content:	Cavitation Rationale for the use of HVLA thrust techniques Complications/contraindications/safety
09:30 – 10:00	Principles of spinal positioning and locking - coupled motion model
10:00 – 10:15	Break
10:15 – 11:45	Lumbar techniques
11:45 – 12:15	Evidence/Clinical Guidelines/Clinical Prediction Rule
12:15 – 13:15	Lunch
13:15 – 14:45	Lumbar techniques
14:45 – 15:00	Break
15:00 – 15:15	Kinematics and coupling: sacroiliac region
15:15 – 16:15	Sacroiliac techniques
16:15 – 16:45	When to use HVLA thrust techniques
16:45 – 17:00	Summary and Discussion

DAY 2:
08:00 – 09:30	Review of Day 1 Lumbar and Sacroiliac techniques
09:30 - 10:00	Thoracic techniques
10:00 - 10:15	Break
10:15 – 11:00	Thoracic techniques
11:00 - 11:30	VBI and tests for upper cervical instability
11:30 - 11:45	Kinematics and coupling - cervical spine
11:45 - 12:15	Spinal positioning and locking - cervical spine
12:15 - 13:15	Lunch
13:15 – 15:00	Cervical techniques
15:00 – 15:15	HVLA thrust techniques & disc lesions
15:15 – 15:30	Break
15:30 - 16:30	Cervical techniques
16:30 – 17:00	Summary and Discussion

Spinal Manipulation - Module 2

Objectives

At the completion of module 2, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate enhanced proficiency in pre-thrust spinal positioning in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacroiliac regions.
Demonstrate enhanced proficiency in the delivery of HVLA thrust techniques in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacroiliac regions.
Describe and demonstrate the spinal positioning and locking used in upper cervical, cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral HVLA thrust techniques necessary to ensure patient comfort and safety.
Describe and demonstrate HVLA thrust techniques for the upper cervical, cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral spine.

Program

DAY 1:

08:00 – 08:15 Opening Remarks

08:15 – 10:00 Rationale for the use of HVLA thrust techniques.

10:00 – 10:15 Break

10:15 – 10:45 VBI & upper cervical instability

10:45 – 12:00 Cervical techniques

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:30 Lumbar techniques

14:30 – 15:15 Thoracic techniques

15:15 – 15:30 Break

15:30 – 16:45 The Clinical Prediction Rule
Sacroiliac positioning and techniques

16:45 – 17:00 Summary and Discussion

DAY 2:

08:00 – 09:45 Review of Day 1 -thoracic and sacroiliac techniques

09:45 - 10:00 Kinematics and coupling - cervicothoracic spine

10:00 - 10:15 Break

10:15 – 11:45 Cervicothoracic positioning and techniques

11:45 - 12:15 When to use HVLA thrust techniques

12:15 - 13:15 Lunch

13:15 - 14:15 Thoracolumbar and lumbosacral techniques - Review Day 1 lumbar techniques

14:15 - 14:45 Review Day 1 cervical techniques

14:45 – 15:00 Break

15:00 - 16:30 Upper cervical positioning and techniques

16:30 – 17:00 Summary and Discussion

DAY 3: Optional

08:00 – 17:00 Additional junctional HVLA thrust techniques can be included with the ability to further refine thrust delivery and skill development.

Spinal Manipulation - Module 3 - Masterclass

Objectives

At the conclusion of the Masterclass, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate a consolidation of existing knowledge and performance in the use of HVLA thrust techniques.
Demonstrate enhanced efficiency and specificity of performance of designated HVLA thrust techniques.
Describe and demonstrate minimal leverage positioning and the use of momentum induced thrust techniques.

The Masterclass content is tailored to meet the needs of registrants in addressing frequently encountered problems with the safe and effective delivery of specific HVLA thrust techniques. Registrants will be given the opportunity to work in a one to one and small group environment.

Program - Masterclass

DAY 1:

08:00 – 08:15
Opening Remarks
Brief review of biomechanical principles

08:15 – 09:00
Introduction

Risk benefit analysis of HVLA thrust techniques versus non thrust techniques
Common problems encountered in HVLA thrust technique delivery in clinical practice
Thrust techniques – analysis of positional components and fine tuning
Importance of minimal leverage and momentum in HVLA thrust techniques

09:00 – 10:15 Upper cervical and cervical techniques
Emphasis on final minor adjustments, use of momentum and minimal leverage positioning.

13:00 – 14:15 Lumbar and thoracolumbar techniques
Emphasis on final minor adjustments, use of momentum and minimal leverage positioning.

15:30 – 16:45 Cervicothoracic and thoracic techniques
Emphasis on final minor adjustments, use of momentum and minimal leverage positioning.

16:45 – 17:00 Summary and Discussion