Chicago Area (Rockford), IL: The Mulligan Concept™ Upper Quadrant Course

Spinal and Peripheral Manual Therapy Treatment Techniques For Upper Quarter

This two-day course will present the Mulligan approach to manual therapy for the Cervical and Thoracic spine as well as for the upper extremity. It will include lecture, patient demonstrations, and lab time to give the participants a thorough and in depth coverage of the Mobilization With Movement™ approach for the upper quarter. This unique approach to manual therapy was discovered and developed by Brian Mulligan F.N.Z.S.P. (Hon), Dip. M.T. from Wellington, New Zealand. This simple yet effective manual approach addresses musculoskeletal disorders with pain free manual joint “repositioning” techniques for restoration of function and abolition of pain.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course the participant will be able to accurately:

• List 3 key manual components of Mobilization With Movement™ for the treatment of upper quarter.
• Demonstrate 3 shoulder MWM techniques for shoulder elevation impairment.
• Demonstrate 2 elbow MWM techniques for loss of motion and tennis elbow.
• List 2 indications for wrist/hand taping procedures for the proximal row of carpals and the metacarpals to reinforce an MWM technique.
• Demonstrate 3 key variables that may need to be modified for pain-free effective MWM of the upper extremity, cervical and thoracic spine.
• Demonstrate 3 manual upper cervical techniques used for the alleviation of cervicogenic headaches
• Demonstrate 3 manual upper cervical techniques used for the alleviation of cervicogenic dizziness
• Demonstrate central and unilateral manual SNAG techniques for the pain-free improvement of cervical and thoracic ROM.
• Cite at least 2 RCT studies that support cervical snags for headaches and dizziness
• Cite at least 2 RCT studies that support the MWM approach to Tennis elbow
• Integrate one combined shoulder MWM and cervical SNAG when presented with a persistent cervical / shoulder musculoskeletal dysfunctional pattern.

Outline:

UPPER QUARTER TIME SCHEDULE and PROGRAM CONTENT

Precourse Video (1 hour 5 minutes) – to be sent to all participants in the pre-course email 1-2 weeks prior to the course):

0 – 5:00             Course and Mulligan Concept Intro: Mark Thomson’s background

5:00 – 6:51        Who is Brian Mulligan?

6:51 – 23:39      Effects of manual therapy and Mulligan Concept mechanisms of action

23:40 – 25:40    Evidence for manual therapy vs hands off approach

25:40 – 29:03    Mulligan Concept resources and “tools of the trade”

29:03 – 32:50    How was the Mulligan Concept born?

32:50 – 34:40     IP example of MWM

34:40 – 36:04     3 things about the Mulligan Concept that require the most practice!

36:04 – 37:10     Establishment of the Mulligan Concept Teacher Association

37:10 – 42:48      What is the Mulligan Concept?

42:48 – 1:00      CROCKS

1:00 – 1:02:40   MWM’s are one part of a thorough examination

1:02:40 – 1:03:10 PILL EFFECT

1:03:10. REVIEW 

DAY 1:

• 7:45-8:00  Sign in and Registration, Pre-test
• 8:00-9:00  Mulligan theory, guidelines for practical application of Mobilization With Movement (MWM’s): CROCKS and PILL
• 9:00-9:30  Upper Cervical lecture: evidence for evaluation and assessment of Upper Cervical pain, mobility loss, headaches and cervicogenic dizziness.
• 9:30-10:00  Upper Cervical lab practice for Headache/Cervicogenic Dizziness and pain/Mobility loss.
• 10:00-10:15  Break time
• 10:15-12:00  Cervical demonstration and lab practice: Natural Apophyseal Glides (NAGs), Reverse NAGs, Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs).
• 12:00-1:00  Lunch
• 1:00- 2:00  Cervical demonstration and lab practice: SNAGs continued. Self-SNAGS/HEP/Self management.
• 2:00-2:30  Cervical demonstration & lab practice: traction techniques, Transverse SNAG’s (Positional SNAGS’s), Spinal Mobilization with Arm Movement.
• 2:30- 2:45  Break time
• 2:45- 4:30  Rib and Thoracic demonstration and lab practice: MWM for the ribs and thoracic.
• 4:30-5:00  Hand demonstration and lab practice: IP, MCP, Metacarpals, Carpals, and taping techniques.
• 5:00 – 5:30  Literature evidence for evaluation and treatment of Wrist. Demonstration and lab practice of MWMs and taping.                 

DAY 2:

• 7:30-8:00  Review of key Day 1 concepts and ideas
• 8:00-8:30  Demonstration and lab practice of MWMs for Supination and Pronation
• 8:30-10:45  Elbow demonstration and lab practice, HEP/ patient self-management
• 10:45-11:00 Break Time
• 11:00-1:30  Literature evidence for evaluation and treatment of the Shoulder. Demonstration and lab practice to include Glenohumeral, Acromioclavicular and scapulothoracic MWM’s, and Self-Management
• 1:30  Post Test and Course evaluation

Wear loose, comfortable lab clothes. Bring mobilization belts, mobilization pads, if available.

CANCELLATION POLICIES:

Please see cancellation policies under courses tab on home page.

Mark Thomson – DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS, CMP, MCTA
Dr. Thomson earned his BS in Physiological Science from UCLA in 1992. He graduated from UCSF/SFSU with an MPT degree in 1995. Mark graduated from the Kaiser Permanente Manual Therapy Fellowship in Los Angeles, CA in 2000. In 2005, he earned his tDPT from Temple University. Mark is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and APTA Orthopedic Section member. Mark’s clinical practice is currently at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, where he works as a Clinical Specialist and treats outpatient orthopedic patients full time.  From 2010-2017, he  also worked as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Augustine in San Diego within the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program, teaching courses in Spinal Manipulation, Extremity Manipulation, and Orthopedics. Mark is the Regional Manager for the North American Mulligan Concept ™ Teachers Association and has been involved with teaching short and long-term manual therapy courses since 1999 with excellent course reviews. Dr. Thomson is a clinical faculty member in the Kaiser Southern California Orthopedic Residency program, and thoroughly enjoys mentoring several residents every year. He practices an integrated style of manual therapy, focusing on passive and active mobilization techniques and exercise, with a commitment to continual analytical assessment. Mark is currently the North American Regional Manager of the Mulligan Concept ™ Teachers Association.