These course modules will explore specifically how the inner ear works; it’s interactions with vision and balance reflexes, aspects of clinical evaluation, and clinical presentations with video demonstrations.
Module One will cover the following: - Fundamental anatomy & physiology of the vestibular system – how does it work?
- The vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) – the most important component of dynamic balance.
- Video demonstrations of common vestibular tests.
- Vestibular nerve and vascular supply, vestibulospinal reflexes & vestibulo-cerebellar connections – understanding the “brainstem” wiring and vestibular interconnections.
- Clinical vestibular tests, training videos and demonstration techniques – How to do it, and what to look for.
- Module 1 competency test
The second module will focus on the visual-motor system and why vision is ultimately important to balance control.
Module Two will cover the following: - Video demonstrations of visual-motor examinations.
- Vestibulospinal reflexes & somatosensory components of balance – balance reactions that prevent falls.
- Sensory processing & cortical interpretation of balance – the foundation of balance “learning” and cornerstone of successful treatment strategies.
- Postural control theory – yes, there’s more than one. And there’s so much more research needed in this field.
- Major postural muscles of balance – if you aren’t using these, your exercise strategies will be seriously deficient!
- Module 2 competency test
Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this course, the participant will: - Understand the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system, visual-motor system and vestibulospinal reflexes
- Understand vision, vestibular, and reflexive interconnections in the brainstem and their clinical importance in balance reactions
- Learn to administer common clinical vestibular tests, and how to interpret findings
- Learn to administer common visual-motor tests, and how to interpret findings
- Understand the importance of sensory processing and cortical interpretation in balance; their clinical importance in treatment and ADLs
- Understand the basic concepts of postural control theory for normal as well as pathologically affected patients
- Learn the basic “Sensory Organization Test” theory, it’s testing stages, and common clinical interpretations needed for treatment planning
- Learn to administer specific sensory tests for balance and postural control, and understand their clinical importance in treatment and fall prevention
- Understand how and why postural control muscles “do what they do” and their importance to balance and mobility
- Learn to clinically evaluate specific postural, balance, and locomotion muscles and understand their significance in treatment strategies.
CEUs / PDUs / Contact Hours The Physical Therapy Board of California recognizes California Education Connection as an Approval Agency to Approve Providers of Continuing Competency Courses in California. This course is approved for 8 CEUs/Contact Hours (CEC-C254). In order to receive the Certificate of Completion, a score of 80% or more is required on the final module test.
About the Author Greg Cox, RPT, is a graduate of Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University. Mr. Cox specializes in evaluating and treating balance disorders and has developed and managed many hospital and clinic balance disorder programs nation-wide. He is also the creator and teacher of "Balance Challenge" group balance and fall prevention classes that are offered in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Culver City. Greg is co-founder and co-owner of The Balance Disorders Institute.
Along with clinical practice, Greg professionally consults and lectures on a wide variety of health and balance related topics to the medical community and public. Educational publications, news interviews and radio lectures are just some of his credits and Greg is currently involved in a number of research studies on balance disorders. Topics in publication are; "The Evaluation and Treatment Manual for Physical Therapist", "Is Dizziness an Accurate Clinical Indicator of Vestibular Dysfunction" and a 1997 study for the California DMV "The affects of alcohol on VOR". Greg has authored an extensive on-line interactive education course on vestibular disorders, the first of its type. Moreover, he conducts professional continuing education and certification classes in vestibular and balance disorders for MDs, and rehabilitation professionals. |
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