PPAB - Pelvic Girdle

This course is specifically designed for the practitioner who is interested in total lower quarter assessment with special emphasis on the pelvis. A thorough understanding of the mechanics of the pelvis is crucial to identifying dysfunction in the proximal kinetic chain and planning appropriate interventions

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the current evidence as it relates to pelvic function, dysfunction and treatment
2. Describe the influences of ground reaction forces and the elicited muscular response on joint movement
3. Describe triplanar muscle activity for the pelvis and lower quarter during the gait cycle
4. Identify lower quarter function using the a screening exam, and relate the distal effect to the proximal segments
5. Identify and understand the relevance of select osseous, ligamentous and muscular structures
6. Perform a pelvic examination, including static, dynamic and functional assessment
7. Identify and describe basic dysfunctions of the pelvis, and perform appropriate manual corrections
8. Describe the role of the “core” stabilizing muscles in function of the pelvis
9. Prescribe an effective home exercise program based on findings of pelvic screening and testing

Evaluation as to whether participants have met the above objectives will be assessed through in-depth discussion/question and answer sessions during lecture and observation of skills in lab settings.

• 7:30 am - 8:00 am
  • Continental breakfast, registration and introduction of speakers
• 8:00 am - 8:30 am
  • History - discussion of past and present research dealing with the sacroiliac joint; separating fact from theory, postulations from practice
• 8:30 am - 9:15 am
  • The Kinetic Chain - review of ground reaction forces, consequences of motion from the pelvis to the foot (i.e. IR of pelvis and limb during load acceptance), and the interdependence of segmental movement
• 9:15 am - 9:30 am
  • Break
• 9:30 am - 10:15 am
  • The Functioning Pelvis and Limb - examining the major moving parts of the kinetic chain from the SIJ to the STJ, using the stance phase of gait as the functional reference; esxamination of compensations and movement irregularities.
• 10:15 am - 11:15 am
  • Lower Quarter Screening - identifying limb alignment and structural issues that may impact function; observational gait analysis (hands on lab session)
• 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
  • Anatomy/Function - examination of the bony and soft tissue structures that comprise and are relevant to the function of the pelvis
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Lunch Break
• 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
  • The Pelvic Evaluation - palpation of bony landmarks; dynamic and special tests (hands on lab session)
• 4:00 pm - 4:15 pm
  • Break
• 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Introduction to Dysfunction lab session - identification of common causes of dysfunction
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Pelvic Dysfunction lab session - definition, identification, and treatment (through manual correction, joint mobilization, and exercise) of the following segmental asymmetries:
    • a. ERS and FRS

**Italicized items indicate technique/hands-on situations.  Student:faculty ratio of 15:1

• 7:30 am - 8:00 am
  • Continental breakfast
• 8:00 am - 10:00 am
  • Pelvic Dysfunction lab session (continued)
    • b. Pelvic upshears and downshears
    • c. Pubic symphysis - "shotgun"
• 10:00 am - 10:15 am
  • Break
• 10:15 am - 12:30 pm
  • d. Ilial rotations
  • e. Sacrum - torsion, unilaterals
• 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
  • Break
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  • Problem Solving - scenarios and case studies
• 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
  • Exercise Principles and Self-treatment Strategies (hands on lab session)

**Italicized items indicate technique/hands-on situations. Student:faculty ratio of 15:1