fbpx
SEARCH Accessibility
MENU

Certified TheraTogs Fitter Course

Certified TheraTogs Fitter (CTF) Course

February 21 – February 23

The Certified Theratogs Fitter Certification (CTF) Courses will help you gain expertise in designing the garments to optimize your client’s treatment. TheraTogs are an adjunct, carry-over modality that supports your clinical efforts in-between therapy sessions and can provide up to 50 hours of therapy a week.

Attendees who successfully complete both on-site practicum exams will receive a Certified TheraTogs Fitter (CTF) Level II credential.

COURSE DETAILS

Date & Time
Friday, February 21, 2020 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Saturday, February 22, 2020 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, February 23, 2020 8:00am – 5:30pm
Show More

Location
NAPA Center
11840 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250Fee
Early registration $495
(on or before 1/28/2020)
Regular registration $545
(on or after 1/28/2020)Continuing Education
This course has been submitted for approval by the Physical Therapy Board of California. Pending review.
Questions? Contact tiffany@napacenter.org
Show Less

The Significance of Extension in Neuro-Orthopedic Development

Deborah Stack PT, DPT, PCS

TARGET AUDIENCE: Pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, physical medicine physicians, and orthopedists

DESCRIPTION: The presenter discusses sensory, biomechanical, kinesiological, and neuromotor aspects of both normal and compromised development of trunk alignment and control. She describes the influence of postural alignment and control on movement acquisition and skills and on limb muscle contracture prevention and management in children with cerebral palsy. She offers clinical evidence and suggestions for improving postural alignment and control using SA Sahrmann’s treatment principles and orthoses, including the TherAlign DragonflyTM TLSO system.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Attendees completing this program are expected to be able to:

  • Describe the two fundamental kinesiology ingredients for motor development and the typical sequence and expected age of their achievement.
  • Explain the contribution of antigravity righting reactions to postural control acquisition and maintenance.
  • Explain the relationship between body sway detection, postural control, and effective limb use.
  • Relate defective postural control to limb muscle contracture formation in children with pyramidal‐ type cerebral palsy.
  • Define muscle balance and muscle imbalance, and discuss related use histories in functioning joint alignment and resulting muscle strength.
  • Bring Sahrmann’s muscle‐balance‐promoting management principles to a discussion the effects on trunk muscle strength and on postural control of providing orthosis‐assisted postural alignment.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Start Topic Hours
6:30 An Overview of Developmental Changes in the Torso .25
6:45 The Contributions of Postural Control Acquisition & Maintenance to Orthopedic Development .50
7:15 Elements of Sahrmann’s Movement System Analysis in Orthopedic Development .50
7:45 New Strategies for Optimizing Trunk Extension .50
8:15 Questions & discussion .25
8:30 Adjourn Total Contact Hours: 2.0

 

Posture & Torso Alignment in Pediatric Orthopedic Development with TheraTogs Fitter Certification Level 1

Deborah Stack PT, DPT, PCS

COURSE LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate

Lecture with hands-on lab technique

16:1 student to faculity

TARGET AUDIENCE: The sponsor welcomes a range of qualified clinicians who are likely to work together to maximize physical function including physical therapists, orthotics, occupational therapists, and physical therapy assistants accompanied by an associated physical therapist.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The didactic segments of this program address the typical development of postural alignment and control and their significance in healthy and pathologic sensorimotor and orthopedic development. The discussion includes a review of strategies for assessing postural alignment and control, and incorporates clinical evaluation and treatment principles drawn from S.A. Sahrmann’s Movement Systems Analysis. Facilitator illustrates didactic concepts and suggested management strategies with photographs and videotaped cases. Lab attendees will be trained in strategies for enhancing postural alignment, postural control, and core muscle balance in daily life using the TheraTogs Posture and Torso Alignment System.
Show More

DIDACTIC PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the workshop, the participant will be able to:

  1. Compare the location of the body center of mass (COM) in an infant compared with an adult.
  2. Explain the primary benefit of antigravity righting reactions to body COM (weight) shifts in daily function.
  3. Explain the three sequential, plane-based phases of acquisition of antigravity muscle function and control in the neck and torso.
  4. Relate postural alignment to somatosensory input from loaded joints and segments.
  5. Compare the status of sensory processing in typically developing children to that of children with hypotonia and cerebral palsy.
  6. Define the relationship between postural control and acquisition and functional limb use.
  7. Explain 2 ways that postural alignment influences muscle recruitment strategies needed for upright maintenance and limb use.
  8. Explain the physiologic effect of massed practice of balance and movement skills on the developing brain.
  9. Differentiate between muscle dominance and muscle strength.
  10. Explain Sahrmann’s focus on shortening the dominant muscles and using them in their shorted state before attempting to lengthen the shortened, dominant muscles

 

THERATOGS FITTER CERTIFICATION LAB OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lab session, the participant will pass an exam with a minimum score of 50/58 requiring a demonstration of correct procedures in donning TheraTogs garments and strapping applications to improve postural alignment, body weight distribution on the support base, and core muscle strength. Procedures include the following:
By the end of the lab session, the participant will correctly apply:

  1. The therapeutic device known as the TheraTogs garment and strapping for a patient diagnosed with flexible thoracic kyphosis.
  2. The therapeutic device known as the TheraTogs garment and strapping for a patient diagnosed with flexible thoracolumbar kyphosis
  3. The therapeutic device known as the TheraTogs garment and strapping for a patient diagnosed with flexible lumbar lordosis.
  4. The therapeutic device known as the TheraTogs garment and strapping for a patient diagnosed with excessive pelvic ante version.
  5. The therapeutic device known as the TheraTogs garment and strapping for a patient diagnosed with diminished pelvic ante version.
  6. The therapeutic device known as the TheraTogs garment and strapping for a patient diagnosed with anterior body weight displacement over the feet.

Show Less

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Start Contact Hours
8:00 Register
8:30 Introduction .25
8:45 Foundations in the Sciences: Postural Control Acquisition & Significance .75
9:30 Foundations in the Sciences: Principles of Movement Systems Analysis Applied to Orthopedic and Sensorimotor Development and Management .75
10:15 Short Break – 15 min.
10:30 Postural Assessments and Applications for Standing and Sitting Posture and Balance 1.00
11:30 Videotaped cases .75
12:15 Questions and Discussion .25
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Demonstration: Improving Resting Postures in Infants .25
1:45 LAB: TheraTogs Level – I Fitter Certification – Attendees work in groups of 3 to gain and, by examination, show competence in donning TheraTogs garments and strapping applications designed to improve postural alignment, body weight distribution on the support base, and core muscle strength. 1.25
3:00 Short break- 15 min
3:15 Resume Lab 1.25
4:30 Instructor demonstrates Dragonfly TLSO apron assembly and fitting. .25
4:45 Clean up and restore lab kits to their original, pre-lab condition.
5:00 Please turn in course evals and adjourn.
Didactic contact hours: 3.75
Lab contact hours: 3.00
Total contact hours: 6.75

 

Pediatric In-toeing & Out-Toeing Management for Neuromotor Training

Deborah Stack PT, DPT, PCS

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate

Lecture with hands-on lab technique

16:1 student to faculty ratio

PREREQUISITE: Posture & Torso Alignment (CFTF Level I)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This program builds upon the foundation laid in the Posture & Torso Alignment (CTF Level I) workshop. It features a brief review of pediatric orthopedic lower-extremity (LE) skeletal and joint development as it occurs in the transverse plane – i.e. medial and lateral joint rotation and medial and lateral long bone torsion – and in relation to deviations in foot progression angle (FPA) – i.e. in-toeing and out-toeing.
Show More

  • Transverse-plane (TP) LE skeletal and joint modeling events with rotation strapping precautions
  • A review of elements of postural control acquisition and maintenance that pertain to TP LE bone and joint development and alignment
  • An implementation of SA Sahrmann’s muscle balance theory in the context of the kinesiology of LE rotation strapping applications
  • A review of three musculoskeletal assessment procedures used to identify sources of deviations in FPA and to document changes in a replicable manner.

In the first afternoon lab session, teams of three attendees learn and practice three LE musculoskeletal assessments that pertain to TP alignment and gait problems: hip rotation ROM in hip extension, modified Ryder’s test, and the modified thigh-foot angle. At the conclusion of the first lab, attendees are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate these same assessments.
In the second lab, attendees will be guided through a series of donning and strapping applications using the TheraTogs Lower Extremity system to demonstrate the biomechanical principles and management techniques reviewed in the morning session. Strapping applications include those designed to improve functioning alignment of the femur at the hip joint, and of the leg at the knee joint. At the conclusion of the lab, attendees are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate these same procedures.
Attendees will receive a DVD containing video instructions for these three assessment procedures. Attendees who successfully complete both on-site practicum exams will receive a Certified TheraTogs Fitter (CTF) Level II credential.
Show Less

DIDACTIC PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

  • Discuss the skeletal modeling process that influences long bone torsion, and explain the modeling “window of opportunity.”
  • Describe the ideal changes in growing bone design that occur in the transverse plane in the pelvis, femur, and tibiofibular segment in children born at full-term gestation.
  • Relate foot position – pronation and supination – to body weight distribution on the feet in standing and walking.
  • Relate toeing in and toeing out to body weight distribution on the feet in standing and walking, and to muscle recruitment strategies needed to maintain the upright position.
  • Explain the role of the Iliotibial band (ITB) and the “deltoid of the hip” in maintaining pelvic alignment and postural control in gait.
  • Describe the influence of a medially-rotated knee axis on ITB alignment and competence.
  • Distinguish between femoral antetorsion and anteversion when using hip rotation strapping.

Explain the precautions regarding the use of rotation strapping across the hip and knee joints in individuals aged seven years and older.

THERATOGS FITTER CERTIFICATION LAB OBJECTIVES:
Show More

  • Demonstrate novice skill level in executing three musculoskeletal assessments: Hip rotation ROM in hip extension, Modified Ryder’s Test, and the Modified Thigh-Foot Angle.
  • Demonstrate competence in donning an effective TheraTogs PTA system that improves upper trunk extension and reduces excess anterior pelvic tilt.
  • Demonstrate competence in the application of seven trapping applications for improving functioning lower extremity alignment: Hip Extension with lateral rotation (LR), Hip abduction (2 ways), Hip LR, Hip medal rotation (MR), Leg LR, Leg MR.
    Participants must pass a skills competency test with a minimum score of 70/79 in order to receive CEUs and be designated as a Certified TheraTogs Fitter Level 2.
Start Topic
7:30 Register & settle in
8:00 Introduction (cell phones off)
8:15 Ideal lower extremity skeletal modeling mechanisms & events in the transverse plane
9:15 Short Break (15 minutes)
9:30 Review of musculoskeletal assessment procedures for hip & femur in the transverse plane – Ideal findings & implications
10:45 Review of musculoskeletal assessment procedures for knee & leg in the transverse plane
11:00 Ideal findings & implications
11:15 Case Presentation
11:30 Questions & Discussion
12:00 Lunch on your own
1:00 LAB 1: LE Musculoskeletal Assessments in the Transverse Plane.
3:00 Short break (15 minutes)
3:15 LAB 2: Candidates work in teams of 3 to demonstrate skills in improving torso postural alignment, increase loaded hip stability (enhance ITB function) during weight shifts; rotate the functioning femur medially and laterally; rotate the functioning leg (at the knee joint) medially and laterally.
5:15 Review of key principles
5:30 Clean up, turn in course evaluation forms & adjourn
Didactic contact hours: 3.75
Lab contact hours: 4.00
Total contact hours: 7.75

Show Less

Skip to content