The Hierarchy of Shoulder Function: A Clinician’s Guide to Assessment & Treatment
The Hierarchy of Shoulder Function: A Clinician’s Guide to Assessment & Treatment
This course includes
The instructors
Overview:
The shoulder is one of the most complex and frequently injured regions of the body. Its remarkable mobility also makes it highly vulnerable to dysfunction — often driven by factors beyond the shoulder itself.
With countless tests, special assessments and exercise options available, clinicians can easily feel overwhelmed when trying to determine what truly matters.
What if you had a clear hierarchy to guide your clinical decisions?
In this 60-minute course, Tom Swales presents a systematic framework to help clinicians identify the true drivers of shoulder dysfunction and apply targeted, effective treatment strategies. Learn how to simplify your assessment process, improve precision in treatment and restore durable shoulder function.
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn:
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Why screening the cervical spine and nervous system is essential in every shoulder presentation
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A structured approach to assessing the shoulder and related contributing structures
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How nervous system hierarchy influences movement and shoulder function
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The 7 Principle Pillars of a healthy shoulder
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The 3 Primitive Pillars that restore natural shoulder mechanics
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A 3-step treatment framework applicable with or without manual therapy
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Strategies to build resilient shoulders using strength tools (barbells, kettlebells, bands, and bodyweight)
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How to improve precision in rehabilitation and exercise prescription
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How to educate clients to better manage and strengthen shoulder dysfunction
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Common mistakes clinicians make when treating shoulder conditions
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How to pinpoint the true driver of dysfunction for better outcomes
Audience:
This course is designed for rehabilitation and movement professionals, including:
Physiotherapists/Physical Therapists
Athletic Therapists
Chiropractors
Massage Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Kinesiologists
PTAs & OTAs
Strength & Conditioning Professionals
The instructors
MPT, ACT, FCAMPT, AMTC, CSCS
Tom Swales is a practicing physiotherapist and strength coach with a particular focus on human movement. He is the founder and creator of Swales Performance Systems (SPS), which educates advanced knowledge of human movement. Toms work and ideas are at the forefront of fitness, conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Tom completed his Bachelor of the Arts in Athletic Training with honours at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa while on a soccer scholarship in 2002. He continued on to complete his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Western Ontario in 2006. He holds many advance diplomas and certifications specializing in manual therapy, acupuncture, strength and conditioning and concussion management. He has been a physiotherapist and strength coach for the Canadian Men’s Alpine Ski Team, a Lead Medical Practitioner for Soccer at the TO Pan Am Games as well has a loyal clientele of elite / professional athletes.
Tom’s treatment philosophy includes using manual techniques, acupuncture to restore normal joint and soft tissue mobility, then supplementing it with functional corrective exercise techniques and movement strategies to prevent injury re-occurrence. Patient education on their injury and understanding of how and where movement is produced is an integral part in our treatment philosophy and preventive strategies.
Through his work, Tom has the vision to empower people and help them gain confidence in their potential and abilities. His whole body approach and empathetic character complement his extensive experience perfectly, allowing him to guide his clients through their issues and through the challenge of achieving the healthy bodies they deserve.
Tom teaches his approach to fellow professionals in the health and wellness industry to offer workshops in movement foundations and whole body exercise therapy. Toms integrated knowledge across the fields of human movement, strength and performance has given him the foundation to create a user-friendly framework for assessment and prescription of exercise for all types of physical mobility impairments.
Tom’s social life is busy, filled with clinical work, speaking engagements, writing, self-enhancement and family time with his wife and two young children.
Checkout Tom’s professional development site: https://www.tomswales.com
Material included in this course
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Taking the Complexity out of the Shoulder Complex
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Welcome
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Slides
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Principle Pillars 1-3
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Principle Pillars 4-7 and Primitive Pillars
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Changing Shoulder Rehab
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Questions Pt1
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Questions Pt2
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Feedback
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Continue learn with Tom Swales