Physicourses EIM

Big Picture Considerations - The Psycho-Social Landscape by EIM

In this self-study course, learners will explore the social aspect of the integrative bio-psycho-social model for behavioral health and overall wellbeing. Topics will explore the impact of culture and roles on behavioral health, as well as the influence of generational diversity, social determinants of health, and our own implicit and cognitive biases as we interact with patients. A closer look at multidisciplinary care and group dynamics paves the way to a case-based learning module which ties many of these environmental and contextual factors together. The course culminates in a live, synchronous session which allows learners real-time interaction with faculty to discuss the nuances inherent in big picture thinking. The majority of the content is provided via recorded lectures and reading assignments, but further reflection and application opportunities are also provided via challenge journal questions.

Special Topics in Behavior Health Part 2: Treatment Paradigms by EIM

While the majority of physical therapists, physicians, nurses and other health care providers may not officially offer mental health or behavioral health services, it is important that all providers have an understanding of what types of techniques may be employed in the care of their patients who are seeking counseling and/or other directservices for their behavioral health conditions. Awareness of treatment paradigms can aide in reinforcement of key principles and strategies across disciplines, promoting optimal patient outcomes. In this self-study course, learners will get a glimpse into the world of behavioral health professionals, looking at the most common models and strategies used in the fields of psychology and occupational therapy to promote behavior change. Learners will explore the evolution of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT/DBT/ACT), and will be introduced to trauma based-therapies, motivational interviewing, and the therapeutic use of self to increase therapeutic alliance. Other pertinent topics include therapeutic boundaries, limits related to scope of practice, and how to make referrals to behavioral health professionals. The majority of the content is provided via recorded lectures and reading assignments, but further reflection and application opportunities are also provided via challenge journal questions.

Special Topics in Behavioral Health Part 1: Diagnosis by EIM

This course provides an overview of common behavioral health diagnoses seen across disciplines in the provision of health care services. These include depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, OCD and adjustment disorders. Special consideration is given to suicide and trauma, with preparedness planning guidelines and resources incorporated to equip learners for complex and/or emergency situations. The majority of the content is provided via recorded lectures and reading assignments, further reflection and application opportunities are also provided via reflection questions for self-study.

Introduction to Behavioral Health by EIM

People struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma and more routinely come to health care providers with pain, fatigue, brain fog, and a host of neurological, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal issues. This course provides learners with an understanding of the integrated biopsychosocial model for overall health and wellbeing. It examines the problem of behavioral health conditions in America, and it begins to explore how those conditions impact the progress of patients who seek help for physical health-related conditions.

Evaluating and Treating Headaches: A Pain Science Update by EIM

Headaches are very prevalent and marred with a complicated hierarchy of classification. Current best-evidence classifies headaches as cervicogenic, tension-type or migraine, with various sub-classifications. Unbeknownst to many, physical therapists are ideally suited to treat a large proportion of patients struggling with headaches with conservative, non-pharmacological treatments. To develop an updated working knowledge of headaches, clinicians need an update in pain science. Various neurophysiological processes underlie the development, maintenance and treatment of headaches, including the relay function of the trigeminal cervical nucleus, development of hyperalgesia and allodynia, photo and phono phobia, referred pain, etc. The examination portion of the lecture will discuss headache classifications, identifying subjective clusters to classify headaches and using this information to develop a comprehensive physical examination. Tests and treatments discussed include pain neuroscience education, graded motor imagery, sensory discrimination, neurodynamics, manual therapy, soft tissue treatment, trigger point therapy, sensorimotor retraining, lifestyle changes and more. Headaches affect nearly one in five people in the world and most are treated with medication, with limited success. This lecture will show how safer, effective nonpharmacological treatments can help patients suffering from various types of headaches.

Introduction to the Tactical Athlete by EIM

This course will serve as a foundational introduction, or 20,000-foot view, to theworld of the tactical athlete, focused rehabilitation and return to duty/injury screening. Each section will have certain deep dives into a topic area that serves to increase knowledge, exposure, and interest.

FREE COURSE- Pain Neuroscience, What's the Buzz About by EIM

Treating Cervical Radiculopathy: An Evidence-Based Update by EIM

Neuropathic pain is one of the most challenging clinical conditions to treat both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically. In physical therapy, the most common neuropathic condition encountered is radiculopathy, including cervical radiculopathy. Clinical practice guidelines, using the latest evidence is used to provide clinicians with guidelines to treat various conditions, including cervical radiculopathy. This presentation, using the most recent practice guideline and evidence will systematically showcase and discuss the treatments in physical therapy that has shown benefit for patients attending physical therapy. From a neurophysiological perspective, treatments should aim to optimize space for the neuromeningeal structures; movement of the nervous system and adequate blood flow. Various physical therapy treatments are able to restore these properties and current evidence supports non-pharmacological, conservative approaches to cervical radiculopathy. Treatments from the guidelines include various forms of exercise, spinal mobilization and manipulation, traction, neural mobilization and more.

Pain Neuroscience Education 1.5 Hour: Teaching People About Pain by EIM

Pain is complex and new paradigms of pain, i.e., neuromatrix, nerve sensitivity, endocrine and immune responses to pain and neuroplasticity has opened various exciting nonpharmacological options in the treatment of pain. One such approach is altering what patients think and believe about their pain. It is well established that patients often have faulty beliefs regarding pain, which in turn may increase fear, catastrophization, pain and disability. The paradox is that patients are interested in pain; especially how pain works. Growing evidence supports that teaching patients more about the neurophysiology and biology of pain allows for decreased pain, increased movement and function, various decreased psychometric measurements, and higher compliance with therapy. This lecture, based on the latest neuroscience view of pain, aims to help healthcare providers update their knowledge of pain. Furthermore, the lecture will expose healthcare providers to a newly designed pain neuroscience education language used in various research projects and clinical practice with the aim to help patients achieve success. This session is a must for all healthcare providers dealing with people.in pain.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome by EIM

With the advent of neuroscience exploring issues associated with neuroplasticity, it has become increasingly clear that in a certain patient population, physical touch and movement, essential for recovery, could actually pose a threat. It has been suggested that the pinnacle of this clinical scenario occur in complex regional syndrome (CRPS), or the previously named reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). With persistent input to the central nervous system and brain, various long-lasting changes occur including cell death, change in brain maps of the body, neurotransmitters, receptors and various pathways associated with pain. These changes manifest themselves with clinical issues such as neglect, allodynia, hyperalgesia, mirror pains, spreading pain, widespread sensitization and problems with laterality recognition. Physical testing of patients with pathological changes in their mapping will include two-point discrimination, pressure-pain threshold testing, nerve palpation, localization, graphesthesia, neurodynamics, laterality and mapping of body parts. The same neuroplastic events associated with pain, however, produce unique avenues to treat patients often too sensitive for physical movement. The brains perception of threat can be altered with cognitions (pain neuroscience education), but also via other senses, directly aiming at the faulty mapping of the brain in pain. Treatments discussed will include graded motor imagery, sensory discrimination, mirror therapy, graphe...