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Thrust Joint Manipulation Part 1

This two-day course is comprised of 80% practical and 20% didactic training. The primary focus will be on the development of the psychomotor skills needed to safely and effectively deliver thrust joint manipulation (TJM) to the vertebral column, more commonly known as spinal manipulation. Also included will be a brief background of thrust joint manipulation, guidelines that should direct safe practice of TJM, and a review of the evidence regarding TJM for spinal disorders.

TJM Part 1 is the first step of a four-course series ending with practical and written certification exams. Applicants who successfully pass the certification process will be able to use the designation Cert. TJM (Certified in Thrust Joint Manipulation) as part of their clinical education background.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

  1. Define thrust joint manipulation (TJM).
  2. List three of the potential mechanisms by which TJM improves spinal pain.
  3. List two kinematic/kinetic research findings for TJM applied to each of the three primary regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral) of the vertebral column.
  4. Identify two physiological and accessory levers used in TJM techniques for each of the three primary regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral) of the spine.
  5. Describe the manipulative barrier/wall that is vital in performing safe, effective spinal manipulation.
  6. Identify the appropriate anatomical landmarks for targeting vertebral segments with TJM.
  7. List two examination findings that justify the use of spinal manipulation for neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
  8. Perform, given a patient case scenario, one TJM procedure to the spine that produces multiple, localized cavitations (“pops”).
  9. Justify, given a patient case scenario, not performing spinal manipulation treatment due to contraindications.
  10. Explain the association between cervical spine manipulation and cervical artery dissection using two peer-reviewed sources.
  11. Discuss the efficacy of TJM for each of the three primary regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral) of the spine using two peer-reviewed sources.

This course has been approved for 14 CCUs by FSBPT and 15 CCUs by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

Course Schedule

TJM Part 1 | Day 1

7:45 am     Sign-in

8:00 am     Thrust Joint Manipulation (TJM): Definition, Mechanisms, Kinetics/Kinematics, Technique

8:30 am     Cervical (C1-T1) Rotatory TJM – Hand-Hold

9:45 am     Break

10:00 am    Supine Cervicothoracic (C7-T3) AP TJM

11:00 am    Cervical (C1-T1) Rotatory TJM – Chest-Hold

12:00 pm    Lunch

1:00 pm     The Audible Pop, When/Where to Manipulate

1:45 pm     Prone Cervicothoracic Junction (C7-T3) TJM

2:45 pm     Break

3:00 pm     Supine Thoracic (T3-T6) AP TJM

4:00 pm     Occipito-atlantal (C0-C1) Rotatory TJM

5:00 pm     Self-Reflection Assessment, Conclusion of Day 1

TJM Part 1 | Day 2

7:45 am     Sign-in

8:00 am     Safe Practice of Thrust Joint Manipulation

9:00 am     Sidelying Lumbosacral (T12-S1) Rotatory TJM

10:00am    Break

10:15 am    Supine Mid to Lower Thoracic (T6-T11) AP with Flexion TJM

11:00 am    Supine Upper Rib 1-6 AP and Lower Rib 7-12 AP with Flexion TJM

12:00 pm    Lunch

1:00 pm     Evidence for Thrust Joint Manipulation for Spinal Disorders

1:45 pm     Prone Mid-Thoracic Vertebral (T4-T9) and Rib (4-9) PA TJM

2:45 pm     Break

3:00 pm     Supine Thoracolumbar Junction (T11-L3) AP “Drop” with Flexion TJM

4:00 pm     Sidelying SIJ Rotatory TJM

5:00 pm     Issue Course Certificates, Conclusion of Day 2

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