Large Animal Myofascial Course
When You Know Better - You Do Better!
Learn The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Integrative Practice That Makes You And Your Patients Happy.
Learn The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Integrative Equine Practice
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The more tools you have in your toolbox the more effective you are as a practitioner.
In this course, we cover the physiology of muscle and fascia, teach you different palpation and diagnostic techniques and go through each large muscle and some of the trigger points that affect them.
There are multiple videos detailing various treatment techniques- dry needling, cupping, kinesiotaping, laser, extracorporeal shockwave, IASTM, and more.
By the end of the course, you should feel confident in using these modalities and techniques and be able to apply them in practice. This course is best suited to a practitioner who has a hunger for knowledge and wants to improve the lives of their patients.
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Outline of the 51 Lesson & Quiz Modules
The myofascial system has been misunderstood or ignored for the longest time. This foundational course is a dive into the fascial and muscular system and how it effects the biomechanical and organic functioning of the horse.
We will be covering anatomy and physiology about the myofascial system, evaluation and palpatory techniques, how to integrate myofascial treatment techniques into your treatment plan.
Course Introduction
This is a foundational course where you will learn the function of muscle and fascia and the principles of myofascial trigger points and myofascial pain syndromes.
The skills to palpate, diagnose and treat these myofascial dysfunctions are fundamental as well as deep diving into the different treatment techniques and how they are used effectively.
We will cover 20 + muscles, going over basic physiology and the major trigger points that are often located there. There are many bonus videos.
Alternative vs. Complementary
This section introduces the distinction between complementary and alternative medicine: complementary approaches are used alongside conventional treatments, while alternative approaches replace them.
It emphasizes the importance of building a diverse team of practitioners with varied expertise for referrals and advice, stressing prioritizing patient well-being.
The Myofascial System - Muscle
This section covers the fundamental functions and characteristics of muscles, differentiating between phasic muscles (fast-twitch, movement-oriented) and tonic muscles (slow-twitch, posture-oriented). It also describes the palpable differences between normal, healthy muscle tissue and abnormal, dysfunctional muscle tissue.
Fascia
This section details the five key functions of fascia - protecting, surrounding, separating, supporting, and communicating - highlighting its role as a continuous connective tissue matrix that transmits muscle force and acts as a sensory organ.
It also explains how dense or damaged fascia can lead to adhesions, impaired movement, and pain due to improper healing and compromised nervous system feedback.
Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain stems from "trigger points," hyperirritable spots within taut muscle bands that cause referred pain, meaning the pain is felt in an area away from the actual trigger point.
These points are associated with dysfunctional muscle activity and nerve sensitization, leading to a cycle of pain and dysfunction that can also impact emotional well-being.
Treatment of Myofascial Pain
Treating myofascial pain, often linked to trigger points and accounting for 85% of muscle pain, requires addressing both the root cause and concurrent functional and structural issues.
Palpation
Using techniques like flat, pincer, and deep palpation, is crucial for assessing muscle and fascia. Effective palpation requires a thorough understanding of anatomy, keen observation (looking and listening), and attention to muscle tone, puckering, and mobility, all while considering the patient's history and gait..
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves careful observation, active listening, and clear communication with the patient about the examination process and expected outcomes.
It emphasizes effective palpation and the understanding that patient issues are rarely solely functional or structural, but almost always a combination of both.
Treatment
There are many different treatment options to choose from, this section covers a few tips to ensure a great response from any treatment protocol that you perform on your patient.
Needle Use
Needling protocols involve positioning the patient in a neutral or injury-specific stance, selecting appropriate needle length and depth, and cleansing the insertion site.
Precise localization and angled insertion of the needle into myofascial trigger points (MFTPs) are critical, often involving fanning to assess tissue integrity.
Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling
Acupuncture and dry needling both use thin needles for therapeutic purposes, but they originate from distinct philosophical frameworks.
Western acupuncture and dry needling primarily focus on musculoskeletal and neurological principles, targeting specific myofascial trigger points to relieve pain and improve muscle function.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
Shockwave therapy involves a significant distinction between radial (pressure waves) and focal shockwave machines, which differ in their energy delivery and penetration depth.
This therapy is highly effective for treating tendon and ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, sensory deficits, and non-healing fractures.
Laser
Laser therapy utilizes specific wavelengths of light to elicit biological effects on cells, with different colors causing distinct tissue reactions.
Lasers can be continuous for chronic conditions or pulsed for acute issues, and it's crucial to avoid overstimulation as more energy is not always better.
Other Modalities
An introduction to different effective therapies practitioners can use, such as electrotherapies, physical and manual therapies, kinesio-taping, ultrasound, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMPF), instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, cupping, NMES and TENS.
Practice Legislation
An overview of what a practitioner can practice in different areas in their scope of skills to effectively treat equine patients.
Needle Safety
It is important to weigh up the pros and cons when choosing a treatment technique, understanding risks and contraindications is essential to making good decisions for your patients.
Forelimb & Hindlimb Muscles
The 20 Modules in the section is for forelimb and hindlimb muscles. Followed by neck, hindlimb and forelimb muscles, and others.
Additional videos include spinal needling, shoulder muscles review, sartorius and gracilis needling, and other needling techniques.
Orthopedic Extra
In this video Dr. Broadhurst covers this as diagnostic tool on the horse.
Stretches
A review of this important therapy includes static-, passive-, and dynamic stretching. Also with video demonstrations.
8 CEU Hours
AAVSB RACE Approved
Elevate your expertise and enhance your professional standing with our AAVSB RACE Approved courses. Earning these hours isn't just about fulfilling requirements; it's about investing in growth and providing the best possible care.
Quizzes Included
Each section of the course includes a quiz you can take at your own pace.
Happy Studying
Learn the tools you need to build a successful integrative practice that makes you and your patients happy.
The course can also be sent as a gift to a friend or directly to your technicians.
