Course Three: Clinical Decision-Making for the Upper Body Region
Clinical Decision-Making for the Upper Body Region
Course Dates
Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, 2025
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM both days
Course Description
This course will focus on the examination, differential diagnosis, and treatment of frequently encountered clinical presentations in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction involving the upper body. A case-based format will focus upon relevant issues pertaining to the differentiation of clinical conditions involving the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, the thoracic outlet region, and the upper extremity. Structured laboratory sessions will provide instruction in pertinent assessment techniques as well as an introduction to applied manual therapy techniques for treatment of the upper body region.
Course Objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of differential examination and assessment for the upper body region
- Demonstrate competence in the performance of the differential examination procedures utilized in the clinical assessment of upper body dysfunction
- Recognize the indications and contraindications for mechanical evaluation and treatment of the upper body region
- Demonstrate competence in the administration of manual therapy techniques for the upper body region
- Demonstrate the ability to perform a differential assessment producing a unique cluster of signs and symptoms for various clinical manifestations of the upper body region
- Develop an improved understanding and awareness of the differential diagnostic process relative to the practice of Physical Therapy
Location and Sponsor
Division of Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
The West Virginia University Division of Physical Therapy is a sponsor of this continuing professional education series. As a fully-accredited physical therapist educational program for over 50 years, courses sponsored by the Division are accepted for continuing education credit by the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy and several other jurisdictions. A certificate of completion will be provided to attendees to submit to their appropriate jurisdiction.
Course Instructor
Michael Timko PT, MS, FAAOMPT is currently a full-time clinician for the Physical Therapy Institute in Washington, PA. He has held faculty appointments in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Division of Physical Therapy at West Virginia University, and the Division of Physical Therapy at Medical University of South Carolina. He received his B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from West Virginia University. This former Mountaineer quarterback completed post-professional studies at the University of Pittsburgh, including residency training in Orthopedic Manual Therapy, and earned a post-professional Masters degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a concentration in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. He has lectured extensively at the local, national and international levels on a variety of topics pertaining to neuromuscular rehabilitation. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Registration Fee and Link
$495 for the 2-day, 14 contact hour course
*WVU physical therapy academic faculty, alumni and clinical instructors of full-time WVU DPT students in the past 12 months can qualify for a discounted fee ($395)