“Core” is one of the most misunderstood terms in therapy, medicine, and athletics. Even advanced clinicians limit their understanding of the core by using definitions based on anatomical geography. Re-defining and better understanding the core with a functional emphasis using neglected principles of stability and mobility open the power of clinical outcomes, a resurgence of understanding, and reduced postural dysfunction. This course will specifically redefine the core, emphasizing function and individual patient analysis. Attendees will learn how to incorporate evidence-based treatment evolving from supine to seated to standing activities and exercises. Emphasis on current physiological research will be incorporated to ensure proper use of treatment strategies. Multiple standardized assessments will be addressed to demonstrate improvement in core utilization, improving ADL’s and function.

Additionally, this course will expand the learned core principles into cervical, thoracic, and pelvic postural alignment. Postural deviations have been linked to pain, falls, mental illness, reduced cognitive function, and general discomfort among all populations. Recently, forward head posture and hyperkyphosis have increased among all populations, partially due to sedentary lifestyles and electronic device use. This course will study the causes anatomically and functionally of poor posture. We will analyze imaging of common pelvic, thoracic, and cervical postural dysfunction. We will learn how to measure kyphosis and forward head posture utilizing fast, repeatable, and acceptable strategies. Finally, fill your toolbox with evidence-based manual treatment strategies to inhibit, lengthen, and activate specific structures for long-term successful correction of the most common postural deviations seen in the clinical setting.

 

 

If you would like to host this course at your facility in 2025 please reach out to us HERE

 

 

This is an introductory level course.

Course Dates & Locations

  • May 3, 2025 – May 4, 2025

    2701 North Decatur Road, ATLANTA (Decatur), GA 30033

    View Location Details

    Emory Decatur Hospital
    2701 North Decatur Road, ATLANTA (Decatur), GA 30033

    Emory Decatur Hospital
    2701 North Decatur Road
    Decatur, GA 30033

    Bobbie Bailey Auditorium


    Area Accommodations

    Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites
    2183 North Decatur Road
    Decatur, GA
    (2 miles away)

    Courtyard by Marriott
    1236 Executive Park Drive NE
    Atlanta, GA
    (4 miles away)

    Doubletree Hotel
    2061 North Druid Hills Road
    Atlanta, GA
    (4.2 miles away)

    There are NO room blocks or discounts available at the mentioned hotels.
    Please visit the hotel chain website for “Best Rates”

    View Google Maps for Location and Nearby Accommodations

    Click here to Register!

Faculty

Educational Credit

A certificate of attendance for 15 Contact Hours will be awarded to each participant. All Therapy Network Seminars are pre‐approved for CEUs in the state where the course is conducted when required for PT, OT, ATs & Assistants.

Therapy Network, Inc. (BOC AP#: P2563) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. Our seminars are eligible for a maximum of 15 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

AOTA Approved Provider of Continuing Education # 3073 Category 1 Domain of OT. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsements of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA

Audience

This course is intended for PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs and ATs

NOTE: Nothing in this course is to enable or permit the learner to apply techniques outside of the scope of practice in their individual state and discipline.

Objectives

  • Identify functional movement patterns in all anatomical planes based on patient posture, positioning, and aging.
  • Demonstrate standardized core and trunk assessments.
  • Develop a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan to improve stability and mobility for all ages and diagnosis through lab implementation.
  • Identify core-based activities and exercises based on research and current evidence to promote independence with sit-stand, transfers, ADL’s and dynamic standing tasks.
  • Demonstrate stability and dynamic based core treatment strategies during labs to develop an evolutionary plan of care and to promote functional outcome
  • Identify common associations of dysfunctional posture in the cervical and thoracic regions and how it impacts biomechanical, social, cognitive, and mental effects of participation in life.
  • Demonstrate standardized assessments to accurately measure cervical FHP and thoracic Kyphosis in minutes
  • Evaluate evidence-based postural activities to inhibit, lengthen, and activate specific anatomy to limit or reverse dysfunctional FHP and kyphosis.

Schedule

  • Day 1

    8:00 AM Sign in and Continental Breakfast
    8:30 “CORE” TRENDS AND RESEARCH
    • The impact of aging, lifestyle/bedrest & lack of core emphasis
    • Trends and Current Evidence
    • Pyramid (order) of Core Contraction and Spinal Stability
    • Where is all the evidence and where does it miss the mark?
    9:15 DEFINITION(S) OF THE CORE
    • Superior/Central/Inferior core (re-defining the core)
    • Core disassociation vs. dissemination
    • Stabilizers vs. Mobilizers (which is more important)
    10:00 EVIDENCE–BASED CORE/EXERCISE PRINCIPLES
    • Upper and Lower Crossed Syndrome (Kinetic Chain)

    (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    • CRAC theory, Exercise Dosage, Motor Unit Recruitment, Reciprocal Innervation, Fiber Type
    and Emphasis (I-IIA-IIX-IIB)
    10:30 BREAK
    10:45 CORE STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENT
    • Trunk Impairment Scale
    (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)

    • Posture Assessment Scale for Stroke-Trunk Control
    • Bent-Knee Fall Out, Side-lying SLR, and Three-Plane Core Test
    11:30 (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)

    SUPINE STABILITY
    • Imprinting/Abdominal Ball Press (sagittal plane)
    • Trochanter Tension (frontal Plane)
    • Supine Toby Twister and Isometric Log Roll (transverse plane)
    12:00 LUNCH (On your own)
    1:00 SUPINE STABILITY - CONTINUED
    1:30 SEATED STABILITY
    • Dolphin (dissemination modified side plank)
    • Seated Toby Twister

    (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    • Stable Reaction Ball Drop (single-multi-planer)
    2:15 STANDING STABILITY
    • Modified Standing Plank (core dissemination)
    • Modified Codman Plank (pre-gait)
    • Standing Toby Twister

    (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    • Stable Reaction Ball Drop (single multi-planer)
    3:00 (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)

    SUPINE MOBILITY
    • ASIS Press (manual single-planer joint mob)
    • Superior Scapular Elevation
    3:45 BREAK
    4:00 (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)

    SEATED MOBILITY
    • Quad sit-up (closed chain/WB emphasis)
    • Lateral Reach
    • Toby Twister
    • Mobile Reaction Ball Drop (single multi-planer)
    4:30 STANDING MOBILITY
    • Flex/Ext with Pelvic Resistance
    • Dynamic Lateral Side Bend
    • PNF Pattern ObjectTransport

    (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    • Mobile Reaction Ball Drop (single and multi-planer)
    5:00 FUNCTIONAL IMPLICATION (APPLIED PRACTICE)
    5:15 CASE STUDY, Q/A AND DOCUMENTATION
    5:30 ADJOURN

  • Day 2

    8:00 IMPACT OF POOR POSTURE (CERVICAL AND THORACIC)
    • Causes (Vocation, Injury, Genetics, Mood, Age, etc.)
    • Posture of Aging (Muscle Fiber Shortening)
    o Biological Sex and Falls (Anterior vs. Posterior Pelvic Tilt)
    o Stretching Principles Applied to Iliopsoas (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    • Impact (Pain, Biomechanics, Eye Gaze, Social Participation, Depression, Cognition)
    • Power Posture Poses (PPP) and Health
    9:00 POSTURAL EXERCISES AND ACTIVITIES
    • Evidence Based Approaches
    o NASM approach
    *Inhibit-Lengthen-Activate-Integrate
    o SAHRMAN Corrective Exercises Approach
    *Exercise-Target-Load-Equipment
    9:30 CERVICAL POSTURE (FORWARD HEAD POSTURE – FHP)
    • Standardized Assessments to Measure FHP
    o Angle
    o Ruler (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    10:00 BREAK
    10:15 CERVICAL POSTURE CORRECTIONAL ACTIVITIES/EXERCISES
    • NASM approach (Inhibit-Lengthen-Activate-Integrate)
    o Inhibit:
    * EOP/Chest Relaxation
    * Cervical/Spinal Erector Relaxation
    * Trapezius and Nuchal Ligament Relaxation (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    * Cervical Traction (DCTO) (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    o Lengthen:
    * SCM and Levator Scapula
    o Activate:
    * EOP/Chin tuck (standing, seated, supine) (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    o Integrate
    * Examples and Case Study
    • Posture of Aging (Muscle Fiber Shortening)
    12:00 LUNCH (On your own)
    1:00 THORACIC POSTURE (KYPHOSIS or HYPERKYPHOSIS – HKP)
    • Standardized Assessments to Measure HKP
    o Imaging vs. Inclinometer
    o Averages
    1:30 THORACIC POSTURE CORRECTIONAL ACTIVITIES/EXERCISES
    • NASM approach (Inhibit-Lengthen-Activate-Integrate)
    o Inhibit:
    * Pec Major/Minor inhibition (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    o Lengthen:
    * Pec Stretch (active or passive)
    o Activate:
    * Rhomboid and Trapezius contraction (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    * Scorpion (standard or modified)
    * Sweet Scaps
    * Supine or Reclined
    o Integrate
    * Examples
    3:00 BREAK
    3:15 THORACIC POSTURE CORRECTIONAL ACTIVITIES/EXERCISES (continued)
    • Sahrmann approach (Exercises-Target-Load-Equipment)
    o Exercises:
    * Prone Trunk Lift (Superman)
    * Modified (Pelvic Teeter Totter) (HANDS-ON LAB/PRACTICE)
    * Side-lying Thoracic Rotation/Extension
    > Modified Russian Twist with Support
    * Side-lying Hip Abduction
    > Modified (Evidence-Based) Glut Med Activation/Exercises
    * Cobra
    > Modified
    4:15 DOCUMENTATION EXAMPLES

    Q/A
    5:00 Course Evaluation and Adjourn

Cancellation Policy

Registration fee less a $75 administrative charge is refundable if cancellation received 14 days prior to program date. No refunds will be given after that time. Therapy Network, Inc. reserves the right to cancel a seminar and will refund in full the registration fee only. TNI is NOT responsible for registrants nonrefundable airfare, accommodations or fees.