Prerequisite: Myofascial Therapy & Kinesiology I

This course will cover a variety of orthopedic and functional evaluations that will help students assess clients and create treatment strategies.

This information will be used to prepare students for advance clinic so they are able to develop appropriate treatment plans and provide referral to other health care providers when indicated.

Orthopedic evaluation, functional evaluation, joint range of motion, palpation of joints and soft tissues, postural analysis, movement, analysis, ergonomic analysis and postural balancing exercises will be discussed and practiced. This course will add to the fundamental skills vital to advanced clinic and the practice of therapeutic massage.

Students learn to perform physical assessment tests for muscle, bone, ligament, joints, fascia, nerve and circulation so they can rule out contraindications, learn indications for referral and to develop massage treatment strategies based on assessment information.

Students will learn History, Observation, Palpation, Special Tests (HOPS) approach to assessment. Students will learn assessment skills for differentiation of muscular, ligament, joint, fascial, neural and circulatory problems.

Students will learn how to perform, chart and interpret several tests and how to apply this information for the purposes of referral when indicated and for safe massage treatment design.

Students will also study ergonomics of lifting, sitting and squatting and students will learn basic postural balancing exercises for the legs, pelvis, low back, spine, neck and shoulders.