Upper Quarter 1 Course Information
Background
Michael Shacklock proposed the concept of neurodynamics in 1995 with his paper in the British journal Physiotherapy in which various scientific cornerstones formed a key aspect of clinical practice in physiotherapy and physical therapy neurodynamics practice.

This has been developed on in his book Clinical Neurodynamics, 2005, Elsevier, Oxford in which the whole body is dealt with in diagnosis and treatment of many musculoskeletal syndromes with a neural component.

The courses by Neurodynamic Solutions are based on the philosophy of helping therapists develop their clinical skills and applying them to their patients.  This course therefore contains approximately 65% practical and 35%  theory.

See lower quarter course content.
Highlights
  • general neurodynamic principles applied to the entire body and specifically  the upper quarter, including the cervical spine, shoulder/brachial plexus and other upper limb nerves at the elbow and wrist
  • classifications of structures and mechanisms for diagnosis and treatment
  • neurodynamic sequencing - a mechanism that can be used to make neurodynamic technique more specific than in the past
  • how to differentiate nerve from other tissues with mechanical testing
  • how to make diagnosis and treatment more specific than before.

Concept of neurodynamics
  • general neurodynamic principles applied to the entire body and specifically  the upper quarter, including the cervical spine, shoulder/brachial plexus, and other upper limb nerves at the elbow and wrist
  • neurodynamic sequencing - a mechanism that can be used to make neurodynamic technique more specifically than in the past
  • how to differentiate nerve from other tissues with mechanical testing

Neurodynamic sequencing
  • a method used to select and create progressions for patients
  • appropriate for patients with severe neural pain progressed to the  athlete, performing artist and sports person

Bilateral and contralateral neurodynamic testing
  • upper limb neurodynamic tests for cervical nerve root and acute dural pain
  • progressional system to reduce force on nerve roots and progressively load them for more advanced patients
  • acute care model for the cervical nerve root
Neuropathodynamics 
  • expands the boundaries and classifications of neurodynamic dysfunctions
  • interface, opening and closing dysfunctions
  • neural tension and sliding dysfunctions

Neurodynamic testing
  •  MNT1, MNT2, RNT, UNT, RSNT and sensitisation techniques

Planning the physical examination
  • how not to provoke pain but still treat the neurodynamic component
  • how to sensitize the examination and treatment for hidden neurodynamic problems, level 1, 2 and type 3a, 3b, 3c examinations

Diagnosis with neurodynamic tests
  • differentiating neural tissue from neuromusculoskeletal tissues
  • establishing what is normal and abnormal
  • what to do next

Method of treatment
  • system of technique progression
  • hypersensitivity problems
  • subtle and hidden neural component and sensitised treatments
  • directing treatment at pathophysiology
  • progression from pathophysiology to pathomechanics

Treatment progressions
  • cervical nerve root foraminal opening and closing dysfunctions
  • neural tension dysfunction
  • combined neural tension and reduced closing dysfunctions (level/type 3c)
  • ​lateral elbow pain, carpal tunnel syndrome.