August 2008

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“The McConnell Approach to the Lower Extremity and the Problem Shoulder”

This seminar was held at MRPT on July 7-10, 2008.

McConnell Approach to the Lower Extremity

The lower extremity program is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of biomechanical and manual therapy principles for the treatment of lower extremity overuse conditions.

Course participants will explore the intricacies and interaction of the entire lower extremity through lecture and lab sessions. Learn to assess and manage common overuse pathology of the hip, distal lower leg and foot.

At the completion of the course you will be able to:

• perform a static and dynamic examination of the lower extremity

• correlate assessment findings to lower extremity pathology such as trochanteric bursitis, anterior hip impingement, hallux valgus, achilles tendonitis, shin splints and chronic muscle strains.

• modify the position of the hip and foot through taping.

• improve lower extremity motor control through mobilization, taping and dynamic training techniques.

• understand and apply specific motor control exercises for training of the lower extremity.

• focus on a home program for patients.

 

McConnell Approach to the Problem Shoulder

Learn how the static and dynamic posture of the upper extremity may contribute to the patient's signs and symptoms at the shoulder. This program includes a review of shoulder biomechanics and will examine the influence of thoracic spine stiffness, muscle tightness and muscle control problems on shoulder girdle movement. Numerous intervention strategies will be discussed.

There is an extensive lab component teaching Jenny McConnell's shoulder taping and muscle training techniques. Learn treatment strategies to address impingement, frozen shoulder, anterior translation of the humeral head, and multi-directional instability.

At the completion of the course you will be able to:

• discuss ideal shoulder posture and muscle function.

• evaluate glenohumeral position and thoracic spine stiffness.

• mobilize a stiff thoracic spine.

• learn methods of activating the lower and middle fibers of trapezius, infraspinitus and teres minor, and posterior deltoid,

• tape to attain more appropriate alignment of the shoulder and unload painful structures.

• use surface EMG for neuro-muscular re-education.

• design a home exercise program.

The Faculty

Jenny McConnell, B.App.Sc.(Phty), Grad.Dip.Man.Ther, M.Biomed.Eng.

Jenny McConnell is a physiotherapist working in private practice in Sydney, Australia. Jenny has been involved in research into patellofemoral, shoulder and lumbar spine problems. She has published widely in these areas and has lectured extensively and conducted workshops around the world on the management of chronic musculoskeletal problems - patellofemoral, lower limb, shoulder and spine. Jenny has a visiting senior fellow position at Melbourne University. Jenny is currently on the editorial board of the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, Manual Therapy as well as the British Journal of Sports Medicine. At the recent NSW Sports Safety awards dinner Jenny was awarded the prestigious F.E. Johnson Memorial Fellowship for outstanding achievement by an established researcher in the field of science & medicine in sport. Contact Jenny at jenny@mcconnell-institute.com

http://mcconnell-institute.com/faculty.html