![Shining a Light on the Role of Spasticity in Children with Diplegic CP @ Instytut Terapii Funkcjonalnej Dzielny Mis sp. z.o.o. [Warsaw]](https://www.gaitways.com/wp-content/uploads/Glasses-on-mouth-closed-CU-soft-190x300.jpg)
In children born premature and those with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP), findings obtained with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have brought significant challenges to the common definition of CP as “a motor disorder caused by a static lesion to the upper motor neurons resulting in spasticity”. Ms. Cusick discusses findings by researchers that question the definition and challenge the common notion that spasticity is present, that it causes contracture formation and gait pathology in children with diplegia, and that it is a suitable target for “spasticity reducing” interventions.
For more information, please download the Course Description.
![New Paradigms in Foot & Ankle Deformity Management @ Instytut Terapii Funkcjonalnej Dzielny Mis sp. z.o.o. [Warsaw] | Manchester | New Hampshire | United States](https://www.gaitways.com/wp-content/uploads/at-choa-300x218.jpg)
This course is designed for the practitioner who has experience in working with children or adults with CNS neuromotor dysfunction, including physical therapists, orthotists, pediatric orthopedists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. The content covered in this program includes the following topics:
- Foot and ankle anatomy, biomechanics, development, and pathomechanics in relation to body weight orientation over the base of support and to designing orthotic modifications to optimize foot development and function.
- Characteristics of and factors contributing to healthy foot development.
- Elements of gait development that relate to and support foot development.
- The kinesiology and pathokinesiology related to – and in support of – the safe and effective use of below-knee casts and orthotic interventions designed to improve postural alignment and control and to reduce developmental, flexible foot and ankle deformities that commonly occur in the presence of central nervous system dysfunction, hypotonia, and ligament laxity in childhood. Discussion of orthotic options includes Elaine Owen’s Tuned AFO/Footwear Combinations, heel lifting and weight-line training, and orthotic posting and foot packaging principles and strategies.
Common developmental foot deformities are identified and described in terms of plane-based anatomical components. Musculoskeletal assessment procedures are reviewed as the findings lead the clinician to a systematic clinical decision-making process regarding orthotic design in terms of desired load-bearing foot and limb joint alignment, magnitude of segment enclosure, degrees of freedom provided or restrained, and posting options. Soft-tissue extensibility findings are also used in the documentation of the effects of assorted orthotic intervention strategies.
Full Course Description
In children born premature and those with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP), findings obtained with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have brought significant challenges to the common definition of CP as “a motor disorder caused by a static lesion to the upper motor neurons resulting in spasticity”. Ms. Cusick discusses findings by researchers that question the definition and challenge the common notion that spasticity is present, that it causes contracture formation and gait pathology in children with diplegia, and that it is a suitable target for “spasticity reducing” interventions.
For more information, please download the Course Description.
This course is designed for the practitioner who has experience in working with children or adults with CNS neuromotor dysfunction, including physical therapists, orthotists, pediatric orthopedists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. The content covered in this program includes the following topics:
- Foot and ankle anatomy, biomechanics, development, and pathomechanics in relation to body weight orientation over the base of support and to designing orthotic modifications to optimize foot development and function.
- Characteristics of and factors contributing to healthy foot development.
- Elements of gait development that relate to and support foot development.
- The kinesiology and pathokinesiology related to – and in support of – the safe and effective use of below-knee casts and orthotic interventions designed to improve postural alignment and control and to reduce developmental, flexible foot and ankle deformities that commonly occur in the presence of central nervous system dysfunction, hypotonia, and ligament laxity in childhood. Discussion of orthotic options includes Elaine Owen’s Tuned AFO/Footwear Combinations, heel lifting and weight-line training, and orthotic posting and foot packaging principles and strategies.
Common developmental foot deformities are identified and described in terms of plane-based anatomical components. Musculoskeletal assessment procedures are reviewed as the findings lead the clinician to a systematic clinical decision-making process regarding orthotic design in terms of desired load-bearing foot and limb joint alignment, magnitude of segment enclosure, degrees of freedom provided or restrained, and posting options. Soft-tissue extensibility findings are also used in the documentation of the effects of assorted orthotic intervention strategies.
Full Course Description
SOLD OUT! April 22-27, 2019
Instructor: Beverly Cusick, PT, MS, NDT, COF/BOC
A PRIVATE TUTORIAL FOR SIX IN SENSATIONAL TELLURIDE, COLORADO
Who Should Attend: Physical therapists, certified orthotists, physicians in physical medicine & rehabilitation, and pediatric orthopedists. (Sorry, no PTAs or ortho techs.)
Six days, six colleagues, world-renowned instructor, practice-changing content, hands-on labs… and a killer location at off-season rates. How could you miss it?
In a collegial living-room setting, Beverly (Billi) Cusick relates the role of postural alignment and control to developing foot alignment and function, equinus deformity development, and management strategies using tuned AFOs and casts. In lab sessions, participants assess the ankle and foot, optimize postural alignment and function from the foot up, and fabricate below-knee casts that support neuromotor training.
Go home with a solid introduction to pediatric foot & ankle development, normal and pathomechanical foot function, and novice-level skills in: a) assessing the foot and ankle; b) posting orthoses to optimize postural control and foot function; and c) fabricating 3 types of below-knee cast used progressively.
Bonus: You receive two training DVD’s, fully-referenced handout materials, and an assessment tool kit.
Double-Bonus: Get trained for TheraTogs Fitter Certification Level-I, Posture and Torso Alignment, at no additional cost (optional).
New Course from Beverly Cusick PT, MS, C/NDT, COF & Susan Hastings PT, DPT, PCS!
In children born premature and those with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP), findings obtained with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have brought significant challenges to the common definition of CP as “a motor disorder caused by a static lesion to the upper motor neurons resulting in spasticity”.
Beverly Cusick, PT, MS, NDT, COF, discusses findings by researchers that question the definition and challenge the common notion that spasticity is present and that it causes contracture formation and gait pathology in children with diplegia. She discusses the confusion over the difference between increased tone and hyperreflexia and introduces some new thinking regarding EMG activity in tissues under stretch. She concludes by proposing an alternative to “spasticity reducing” interventions by addressing postural control deficits and remediation.
Susan Hastings, PT, DPT, PCS, discusses requirements for motor learning to occur, and introduces functional electrical stimulation (FES) and whole body vibration (WBV) as treatment-augmenting interventions along with supporting research.
This one-day course is a pre-requisite for either of the two follow-up lab sessions:
- Functional Electrical Stimulation for the Child with Cerebral Palsy (Hastings)
- Bringing Orthopedic Assessment Findings to Management Planning (Cusick).
New Dates! October 21 – 26, 2019
Instructor: Beverly Cusick, PT, MS, NDT, COF/BOC
A PRIVATE TUTORIAL FOR SIX IN SENSATIONAL TELLURIDE, COLORADO
Who Should Attend: Physical therapists, certified orthotists, physicians in physical medicine & rehabilitation, and pediatric orthopedists. (Sorry, no PTAs or ortho techs.)
Six days, six colleagues, world-renowned instructor, practice-changing content, hands-on labs… and a killer location at off-season rates. How could you miss it?
In a collegial living-room setting, Beverly (Billi) Cusick relates the role of postural alignment and control to developing foot alignment and function, equinus deformity development, and management strategies using tuned AFOs and casts. In lab sessions, participants assess the ankle and foot, optimize postural alignment and function from the foot up, and fabricate below-knee casts that support neuromotor training.
Go home with a solid introduction to pediatric foot & ankle development, normal and pathomechanical foot function, and novice-level skills in: a) assessing the foot and ankle; b) posting orthoses to optimize postural control and foot function; and c) fabricating 3 types of below-knee cast used progressively.
Bonus: You receive two training DVD’s, fully-referenced handout materials, and an assessment tool kit.
Double-Bonus: Get trained for TheraTogs Fitter Certification Level-I, Posture and Torso Alignment, at no additional cost (optional).
New Dates! October 28 – November 2, 2019
Instructor: Beverly Cusick, PT, MS, NDT, COF/BOC
A PRIVATE TUTORIAL FOR SIX IN SENSATIONAL TELLURIDE, COLORADO
Who Should Attend: Physical therapists, certified orthotists, physicians in physical medicine & rehabilitation, and pediatric orthopedists. (Sorry, no PTAs or ortho techs.)
Six days, six colleagues, world-renowned instructor, practice-changing content, hands-on labs… and a killer location at off-season rates. How could you miss it?
In a collegial living-room setting, Beverly (Billi) Cusick relates the role of postural alignment and control to developing foot alignment and function, equinus deformity development, and management strategies using tuned AFOs and casts. In lab sessions, participants assess the ankle and foot, optimize postural alignment and function from the foot up, and fabricate below-knee casts that support neuromotor training.
Go home with a solid introduction to pediatric foot & ankle development, normal and pathomechanical foot function, and novice-level skills in: a) assessing the foot and ankle; b) posting orthoses to optimize postural control and foot function; and c) fabricating 3 types of below-knee cast used progressively.
Bonus: You receive two training DVD’s, fully-referenced handout materials, and an assessment tool kit.
Double-Bonus: Get trained for TheraTogs Fitter Certification Level-I, Posture and Torso Alignment, at no additional cost (optional).