May 14, 2023

Time: Sunday 9-6:00
Location: Advanced Massage Therapeutics, Louisville, KY
Instructor: Amber Davies, CMTPT, LMT

Course Description:

Lower back pain can be complex and debilitating. Learn better assessment skills to identify when and what tissue to treat and what not to treat for chronic and acute low back pain. Use a more clinical approach with better problem-solving, documentation, trigger point therapy and self-treatment education.

In this class, we will first establish general guidelines for evaluating acute, subacute, and chronic lower back pain. Participants will practice orthopedic assessment tests to better identify symptoms that warrant referral to a physician. Then we will learn how to take a thorough history using body charts and standing postural assessment to determine specifically what myofascial tissue to address with massage.

We will identify characteristics of common conditions that cause lower back pain and how massage therapy can help. Myofascial trigger points, their pain patterns and locations will be covered in detail.

We all know active trigger points refer pain but equally as important are latent trigger points that contribute to the mechanical dysfunction that causes the pain.

Active trigger points in the middle and low back, gluteal, and abdominal muscles refer pain to the lower back. Sneaky latent trigger points in the hip flexors, adductors of the thighs, and abdominal muscles create mechanical dysfunction that then creates postural distortions and pain in the low back.

In practice trades, participants will treat trigger points with four different massage technique including trigger point pressure release (press and hold), targeted moving stroke, contract relax technique, and reciprocal inhibition.

Best of all, hands-on practice trades will be “therapeutically delicious.” Participants will practice direct verbal communication, using a pain scale, and observation to monitor their practice clients’ personal response to treatment.

Massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists only please.

Class size is limited to about 20 participants.

Questions? Just call me at (502) 468-1016 or by email at amber@newdaymyopain.com