Course Description

This class is designed to update attendees on the latest evidence and clinical application of therapeutic neuroscience education for patients in pain. Current best evidence has shown that neuroscience educational strategies utilizing neurobiology and neurophysiology are able to reduce pain, increase function, reduce fear and catastrophization, improve movement and change cognitions and brain activation during pain experiences. Therapeutic neuroscience education changes patient beliefs regarding their pain, thus reducing the threat of pain.

This class will discuss the evolution of therapeutic neuroscience education, why neuroscience education is needed in patient care and, more importantly, the clinical application and implementation of therapeutic neuroscience education for patients with acute, sub-acute and chronic pain. Special features include various metaphors, images, examples and case studies explaining neuroscience to patients in pain. In addition the class will cover clinical issues such as compliance, pacing exercise and activity, incorporation of therapeutic neuroscience education with traditional movement based therapy, billing and insurance reimbursement concerns and delivering therapeutic neuroscience education in busy, time-constrained clinical environments. This class is a must for all professionals dealing with patients in pain.

Agenda

Target Audience

Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the latest evidence for therapeutic neuroscience education.
2. Demonstrate the clinical ability to apply therapeutic neuroscience education to clinical practice with the use of at least one metaphor shared in class.
3. List at least half of the output systems discussed in class and their response in a chronic pain patient.
4. List potential strategies to implement therapeutic neuroscience into clinic practice regarding time, staff, billing and traditional therapeutic treatments.
5. Design a treatment plan for a chronic pain patient based on output system dysfunctions with correct pain neurophysiological reasoning behind the treatment with information provided in the course.

Speaker

Stephen Schmidt, PT, M.Physio, OCS, FAAOMPT

Steve is a physical therapist with over twenty years of experience treating patients with chronic pain and movement dysfunction. His interests in manual therapy, neurology, pain neuroscience and movement impairments led him to pursue a diverse range of training opportunities including two different year-long manual therapy courses, the 6-month program in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and a Masters of Physiotherapy (Manipulative Physiotherapy) in Adelaide at the University of South Australia. He currently works at the Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center treating patients with neurological impairments, teaching in the PNF program and serving as adjunct faculty at Samuel Merritt University. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, a board certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and is an instructor with the International Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association (IPNFA). He has taught numerous seminars for the Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (NOI), the International Spine and Pain Institute (ISPI) and is faculty for the ISPI/EIM Pain Specialty Certification Program.

Relevant to the content of this CME activity, Mr. Schmidt indicated he has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose. 

​Questions

International Spine and Pain Institute
PO Box 232
Story City, IA 50248
866-235-4289
info@ispinstitute.com