Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy with Physical and Occupational Therapy: A Hands-on Workshop

Description

This half-day workshop will cover the clinical reasoning behind what is and what can cause peripheral neuropathy (PN) in relation to both diabetes and chemotherapy. The class will delve into current research and clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus peripheral neuropathy (DM PN) and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). At the end of this workshop, attendees should be able to perform evaluations, understand special tests and functional outcome measures, be able to create short- and long-term goals, be able to take patients through a 1x a week for 3 months treatment protocol, and understand when a patient is ready to graduate. The instructor will cover a manual therapy technique for the hands and feet, balance homework tied to special tests, and how to work on ankle strength with resistance and plyometrics.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and footwear for the labs.

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists & Assistants; Physical Therapists & Assistants

Objectives

Upon conclusion of this in-person, hands-on workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain the causes of PN to patients
• Evaluate a patient for PN
• Demonstrate a manual therapy technique for PN of the hands and feet
• Guide a patient, whether inpatient or outpatient, through treatment for PN

Faculty

• Kathryn Schmitt, PT, DPT, CLT, OnCS