Changes in neuromuscular control are an almost obligatory feature of musculoskeletal conditions. In relation to neck pain, changes in neuromuscular control have been shown to be relevant for the development, perpetuation and recurrence of pain.

Such knowledge highlights the need for rehabilitation programs to incorporate exercise with the dual aim of relieving pain and restoring neck function. This course will present a research informed program of specific exercises for the neck muscles which will be based on movement analysis and muscle testing.

Relevant to clinical practice, this exercise program has been shown to be effective at relieving neck pain and disability in the longer term and has demonstrated efficacy at enhancing neuromuscular control of the cervical spine.

Course Content

• Review of common neuromuscular impairments found in patients with neck pain disorders
• Practical session including movement analysis and specific muscles tests for the cervical region
• Practical session presenting a specific exercise approach for managing pain and cervical neuromuscular dysfunction
• Practical session including movement analysis and specific muscles tests for the scapular region
• Practical session presenting an exercise approach for managing pain and axio-scapular muscle dysfunction
• Assessment and management of sensorimotor disturbances in neck pain including impaired proprioception, oculomotor control disturbances and impaired balance. Includes both theory and practical sessions
• Overview of the similarities and differences between whiplash-induced pain and idiopathic neck pain and the implications for management
• Considerations on the impact of central sensitisation on rehabilitation outcomes and directions for treatment
• Key principles underlying the effective exercise for neck pain disorders.
• Presentation of the overall management of patients with neck pain disorders

Day 1

09.00 - 10.30 Neuromuscular adaptations in neck pain disorders

10.30 - 11.00 Coffee / Tea break

11.00 – 12.00 Recognition and management of neuromuscular deficits in the cervical region

12.00 - 13.00 Practical session:

Assessment and management of cervical neuromuscular control dysfunction

13.00 - 14.00 Lunch

14.00 - 15.30 Practical session continued:

Assessment and management of cervical neuromuscular control dysfunction

15.30 - 16:00 Coffee / Tea break

16.00 - 17.00 Recognition and management of neuromuscular deficits in the axio-scapular region

Day 2

09.00 - 10.30 Practical session continued:

Recognition and management of neuromuscular deficits in the axio-scapular region

10.30 - 10.45 Coffee / Tea break

10.30 - 11.15 Practical session continued:

11.15 - 12.30 Assessment and management of sensorimotor disturbances in neck pain:

• Proprioception
• Postural control
• Oculomotor control

12.30 - 13.30 Lunch

13.00 - 14.00 Practical session:

Sensorimotor disturbances in cervical disorders

14.00 - 15.00 Central sensitization and the impact on rehabilitation

15.00 - 15.15 Coffee / Tea break

15.15 - 16.30 Key principles of therapeutic exercise for neck pain disorders

Tutor:

Professor Deborah Falla BPhty(Hones), PhD

Professor Falla is an expert in rehabilitation science and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her research utilises state of the art electrophysiological measures to evaluate the control of human movement and how it is affected or adapted in response to various states including pain, injury, fatigue and training. Her research interests also include optimising the management of musculoskeletal conditions with a particular interest in neck pain, low back pain, whiplash and headache.

Deborah Falla received her PhD in Physiotherapy from The University of Queensland, Australia in 2003. In 2005 she was awarded Fellowships from the International Association for the Study of Pain and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia to undertake postdoctoral research at the Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark.

From 2007 to 2010 she was an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark and from 2012 to 2016 she was a Professor at the Center for Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine and Institute for Neurorehabilitation Systems, University Hospital Göttingen, Germany.

Since April 2016, Professor Falla is Chair in Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. Professor Falla is also the Director of the Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine) which was established at the University of Birmingham in 2016 following a ~£1M investment. She is also a Senior PI for the NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (SRMRC) (£6 million received for 2016 –2019).

Her research utilises state of the art electrophysiological measures to evaluate the control of human movement and how it is affected or adapted in response to various states (e.g. injury, fatigue, training, pain). Her research interests also include optimising management of musculoskeletal conditions with a particular interest in spinal pain. She has published over 145 papers in international, peer-reviewed journals, more than 100 conference papers/abstracts including 30 invited/keynote lectures. Moreover, Professor Falla has delivered over 100 invited post-graduate workshops on the management of spinal pain to health care practitioners in over 20 countries ensuring translation of her research to the benefit of the patient.

She has received several recognitions and awards for her work including the German Pain Research Prize in 2014, the George J. Davies - James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award in 2009 and the Delsys Prize for Electromyography Innovation in 2004.

Professor Falla is an author of the book entitled “Whiplash, Headache and Neck Pain: Research Based Directions for Physical Therapies”and is co-editor of the 4th Edition of “Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy”; a core textbook of evidence-based rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders which brings together the latest state-of-the-art research. Professor Falla acts as an Associate Editor for Musculoskeletal Science & Practice (formerly Manual Therapy) and the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. Since 2016, she is President of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK).

Professor Fallas' publications

Research Gate - Prof. D. Falla

Google Scholar Prof. D. Falla

The course venue

How to get there

By BUS:

Tottenham Court Road - Northbound (Warren Street station) - no's 10, 73, 24, 29, 134 Gower Street - Southbound (University Street) - no's 10, 24, 29, 73, 134 Euston Road - no's 18, 27, 30, 88

Click here to view a local map of bus stops

By Tube:

Nearest tube stations are:

Warren Street (Northern / Victoria Lines) Euston Square (Circle / Hammersmith & City / Metropolitan Lines)

Euston ( Northern/ Victoria Lines )

Click here to view a local map of bus stops

By Car:

Car Parking at University College Hospital (UCH)

Please note: No car parking (other than disabled/blue badge holders) is available at University College Hospital (UCH).

For information on parking in the areas surrounding UCH please visit Parking local to UCLH