REFLEX LOCOMOTION ACCORDING TO VOJTA

WHEN: August 25 & 26 2018

WHERE: Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness in Santa Cruz, CA

WHO: DCs, PTs, DOs, MDs with a background in DNS

COST: $850 - click the button below to pay/register

Why consider a program in reflex locomotion? Movement is not something that
spontaneously develops in the vertical posture but evolves from lying on one’s belly and one’s
back. The movement from back lying, to side lying, to knee support, to elbow support etc
requires global muscular interactions that allow us to verticalize during the first year of life.
Understanding these global muscle plays, identifying their deficits, and how to restore muscular
synergy for ideal movement is the goal of reflex locomotion.

 

In this program you will learn:
1. How to examine the patient according to the concepts of movement development.
2. How, when, and where to apply reflex locomotion to treat a variety of conditions
from orthopedics, to scoliosis, to multiple sclerosis.
3. How and when to use the variety of reflex locomotion positions and stimulation
zones available in treatment.
4. How to facilitate spinal elongation through muscle activation.
5. How to enhance external rotation function and strength of keys joints.
6. How to improve core strength by activating the deep stabilizing system of the
spine.

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

This program, based on the principles of Czech pediatric neurologist Vaclav Vojta, M.D. clarifies how, why, and where to administer the therapy of reflex locomotion. Through an understanding of postures and stimulation zones the practitioner will be able to rationalize the therapeutic intervention.
Outline:
A. Introduction and Philosophy
B. Creep stimulation Zones
C. Creep movements and muscle functions
D. Roll stimulations
E. Roll muscle functions
F. Examination of movement
G. Application of therapy based on evaluation of movement
H. Variations
I. First position
J. Reflex roll variations
K. Lateral postures
L. Problem solving and decision making

 

HOURS: Saturday August 25th 12pm - 6pm & Sunday August 25th 8am - 2pm

About the Instructor:
Dr. Richard Cohen, the first native English speaking practitioner certified by the International Vojta Society and the only one on the East Coast, has developed a program to help chiropractors and other manual therapists appreciate how the principles of movement development can be used in the analysis of the pain patient or the patient with movement disorders. This
program will help attendees understand the principles of movement development and how these principles change our view of the musculoskeletal system and its role in movement. Your appreciation of movement and muscle function will be enhanced and changed by your attendance at this program.

 

Reflex locomotion allows the practitioner to appreciate that movement is an inter play of the whole body. When we single leg stand what is the spine doing, what is the psoas doing,
what is the contralateral shoulder doing. Reflex locomotion teaches us that the deficiency in muscle function and its effect on movement requires us to create alternative movements with a
dysfunction in muscle synergy. For example upper crossed and lower crossed syndromes are seen as a response to pain and injury. They evoke a change in muscle tone, muscle elasticity,
and muscle function during movement. As practitioners do we decide to stretch the hypertonic muscle group or do we strengthen the hypotonic muscle group. With reflex locomotion we can do both as we restore the synergy required for the muscles to move us in a balanced antagonism. Reflex locomotion allows us to restore normal muscle function by restoring ideal neurological orders as someone would repair the hardware on a computer.  Reflex locomotion according to Vojta also considers that part of the muscles function that “Gray’s Anatomy” and “Kendall and Kendall” never considered. Most of our discussion of muscles, their rehabilitation, and their role in movement only considers that muscle function moves proximally. However, because we begin to function as infants while lying on our belly or our back, muscles also function in a distally directed action. The pectoralis muscles pull the chest to arm, the tibialis anterior flexes the knee, the latssimus dorsi elongates the spine, these are muscular events not considered by the standard insertion to origin muscle function, but are roles our muscles play in allowing us to move. Dr. Vojta elaborates on these muscular functions and utilizes the whole of the muscle’s function in the analysis of movement as well as its treatment through reflex locomotion.

Questions: Contact James Vegher or Barbara Kempney.

 

 

 

Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness is proud to announce we have partnered with locally owned and operated She.is.beautiful for the 4th year in a row!

This year's 5/10k She.is.beautiful race will be held on Sunday, March 19th. In preparation, Precision will host a Master Your Movement event on Sunday, February 19th.

This day will include a must-hear talk by Dr. Sara Tanza, PT, CMFT on proper running/walking/jogging/stroller pushing mechanics followed by a Precision Cross Training/Fit for Life/Precision Mechanics combination workout we are confident you will love. Get ready to focus on core stability during the mat-based portion, then transition to your feet for a sweat-inducing interval training piece that will change the way you think about cardio. This workout is appropriate for women of all ages and fitness levels who plan to participate in the She.is.beautiful race.

If you want to work-out with a community, have fun, lessen your risk of injury, prepare for the pinkest race in Santa Cruz and learn to move well, this event is for you!

Click here to register

 

Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Employment type: part-time/full-time/contractor/per diem

Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness is seeking innovative and energetic inpatient and outpatient Physical Therapists and Certified Hand Therapists to join our practice in beautiful Santa Cruz, California.

Our curious and motivated team includes pelvic floor, neurological and sports medicine specialists, offering a diverse knowledge base of treatment techniques built around the shared principles of movement science, manual therapy and patient centered care. Precision is the largest private physical therapy practice in Santa Cruz County. Therapist owned and operated, our 5,200 square foot clinic is newly renovated offering open treatment space as well as 6 private exam rooms, a boutique fitness studio, and an expertly supportive administrative staff focused on effective customer education. Precision is seeking energetic applicants who want to revolutionize the rehab world one patient experience at a time and want to actively participate in a growing, fast-paced, team environment. Attitude, expectations and willingness to learn are more important to our hiring team than experience. New graduates or experienced practitioners looking for a workplace that allows individuals to thrive both inside and outside of the clinic are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

A unique, mid-size city developed along Central California’s coastline, Santa Cruz is located just 2 hours north of Big Sur, 2 hours south of San Francisco, and 45 minutes west of the heart of Silicon Valley. While you won’t find the sprawling strip malls of Southern California or the fickle weather of Northern California, you will find a charming beach community including two state-of-the-art colleges and a reputable vacation destination for travelers from all over the world. Santa Cruz County offers epic coastlines, giant redwoods and several locally sourced, artistic city centers. Whether your perfect day includes mountain biking, wind-surfing, stand-up paddle, trail running or a simple stroll to your farm-to-table eatery, sushi bar or artisan ice cream shop, Santa Cruz has it all and year-round sunshine to match. Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness is proud to have been a staple of Santa Cruz health care and rehabilitative services for over 10 years, and is excited to continue to work with its neighbors and community partners to provide healing through education for many years to come.

James Vegher, DPT, DNSCP and Chris Christensen, DPT, CSCS, DNSET partnered to open Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness after years treating in traditional PT environments. Precision's co-owners struggled to reconcile methods that improved speed of recovery and rendered long term results with traditional physical therapy techniques. They strove to create a teaching and learning environment based on natural human movement where neither therapists nor patients would be stifled by preconceptions about physical therapy. James and Chris believe every patient should leave therapy having met their goals, with a better understanding of their body and tools to stay pain-free for life.