VISA and Accommodation can be arranged if required.

Overview | Syllabus | Course Philosophy | Target Audience | Instructors

The course will cover the anatomical and functional basis to the evaluation of pain disorders of the peripheral joints. Of special interest will be clinical practice, emphasizing clinical examination, evaluation, interpretation, differential diagnosis and treatment.

This course will be conducted in lecture, tutorial and workshop format for the clinician or academic who is interested in manual therapy, manual medicine or musculoskeletal medicine. It is anticipated that the course content will be suitable to individuals who are seeking new knowledge, to individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and to those individuals seeking the stimulation of clinical interaction. Whilst the course will be presented at a high level this should not be seen as a barrier to participation for those with little or with no previous experience in this special area. As a result of attending the course it is anticipated that participants will gain personal satisfaction as in a variety of ways that will enhance their individual requirements. There are therefore no pre-requisites for participation

1. Relevant anatomy, pathoanatomy, and biomechanics of the peripheral joints.
2. Regional assessment of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot
3. Analyze posture types and the relationship of posture type to normal movement and specific dysfunction
4. Movement analysis and how this relates to specific dysfunction
5. Clinical pattern recognition
6. Clinical reasoning
7. Physical examination procedures aimed at the joint, neural and muscle systems
8. Use of case histories, written and role-play
9. Technique demonstration with closely supervised practical sessions
10. Clinical technique application
11. Development of appropriate diagnostic specific treatment strategies and appropriate treatment technique application

Neural System
Neural tissue dysfunction is an important aspect of the physical examination. A comprehensive overview of neural tissue pain disorders is presented before assessment procedures and differential diagnosis for 3 types of neural dysfunction, neuropathic pain with sensory hypersensitivity, peripheral nerve sensitization and denervation (axonal compromise). Assessment to distinguish these problems will be demonstrated and practiced. The clinical relevance of distinguishing these different types of disorders will be presented, particularly in relation to management. .

Muscle System
An emphasis of this programme is a functional approach to the assessment of the muscle control system. As well we address the theoretical concept of “core stability”. Recent research appears to be downplaying the importance of “core stability” in both spinal and peripheral pain disorders. It is important to recognize that not all patients require motor control retraining. There is ample evidence to suggest that only a small proportion of patient have instability. Treating all recurring pain disorders with “core strengthening” is not appropriate and the literature shows this does not work. Determining which patients need a muscle retaining approach is an important part of this programme. A systematic graded, functional approach to the management of patients with motor control impairment will be taught.
A core principle of the programme is the ongoing analysis of the examination findings from the subjective and physical examination procedures. To ascertain an appropriate manual therapy diagnosis critical analysis is developed through clinical reasoning applied to specific case studies.
This programme does not provide the participants with a recipe approach to treatment. Students will be able to develop though sound methodology, appropriate treatment strategies with logical progression over time.

Kim Robinson has developed a reputation as a leading figure in manual therapy education. He was formerly a lecturer and clinical teacher on the Postgraduate Diploma in Manipulative Therapy programme at Curtin University of Technology for many years before establishing Manual Concepts. He now conducts a variety of lectures and clinical programmes around the world. Kim is an active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists Association of Australia. Kim is an accredited teacher of the Mulligan Concept and also the Australasian Regional Manager of the Mulligan Concept Teachers Association. His research interests and publications include manual diagnosis, cervicogenic headache, neck pain and the application of the Mulligan Concept.