Many practitioners suffer from upper extremity symptoms and do not realize the cervical spine plays in the origination of these symptoms. This session will examine the cervical spine and the role it plays in symptoms not only locally but also referred into the upper extremity. Anatomical and biomechanical factors that lead to some of the common causes of cervical and upper extremity symptoms along with some common upper extremity diagnoses will be discussed. An introduction to mechanical diagnosis and therapy classifications will be provided, along with treatment options. Based on mechanical criteria, strategies will be identified to help one understand what proper posture is and how to find correct exercises that can be utilized in the self-treatment of symptoms originating from the cervical spine. By using proper posture and correct exercises, this will allow people to work – regardless of their role in the office – with less pain or even pain-free.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Identify common causative postures and activities that can produce neck and upper extremity symptoms.
Examine possible anatomical structures that cause neck and upper extremity symptoms.
Describe what correct posture is and what exercises can be effective in alleviating cervical and upper extremity symptoms.
Analyze risk factors in the work environment as well as outside of the work environment the contribute to cervical pain or upper extremity symptoms.