Karen Pryor – Neuroplasticity for Orthopedic Recovery and Pain Relief: How Injury Changes the Brain and How You Can Help Rewire It

Outline

Improve Your Clinical Reasoning Improve Your Clinical Reasoning

• Central nervous system: the driver of ALL functionCentral nervous system: the driver of ALL function
• NeuroanatomyNeuroanatomy
• Brain developmentBrain development
• Chronic pain: the nervous system remembersChronic pain: the nervous system remembers
• Feedback loops – pain is circularFeedback loops – pain is circular

Upgrade Your Clinical Assessment Upgrade Your Clinical Assessment

• Neurological screens for injuriesNeurological screens for injuries
• Identifying neurological challengesIdentifying neurological challenges
• Primitive reflex patterns and the power of visionPrimitive reflex patterns and the power of vision
• Sensory motor developmentSensory motor development
• Vision and hearing related deficitsVision and hearing related deficits
• Sensation changes and reintegrationSensation changes and reintegration

Integrate Neuroplasticity into Your Therapy Program Integrate Neuroplasticity into Your Therapy Program

• Practice Makes NEW PathwaysPractice Makes NEW Pathways
• Polyvagal theory: Fight, Flight and FreezePolyvagal theory: Fight, Flight and Freeze
• Trauma memory related to therapy sessionsTrauma memory related to therapy sessions
• Crucial component: sensory stimulationCrucial component: sensory stimulation
• Smooth movement tremors and distractionSmooth movement tremors and distraction
• Changing low and high tone qualitiesChanging low and high tone qualities
• Challenge equates to changeChallenge equates to change
• Bracing: to be or not to beBracing: to be or not to be

Design Effective Treatment Plans: Treat the Symptoms, the Cause and Neurological Changes Design Effective Treatment Plans: Treat the Symptoms, the Cause and Neurological Changes

• Where to rewire the brainWhere to rewire the brain
• Use it or lose itUse it or lose it
• Recruitment and retrainingRecruitment and retraining
• Use the lobes next doorUse the lobes next door
• Before/after videos of sensory stimulationBefore/after videos of sensory stimulation
• Beware of learned non-useBeware of learned non-use

Expand Your Reach: Incorporate Vision Expand Your Reach: Incorporate Vision

• The link between vision and balance and sensationThe link between vision and balance and sensation
• Implications for neurological disorders: Stroke, TBI, concussionImplications for neurological disorders: Stroke, TBI, concussion
• 3D vision impairments – depth perception and safety3D vision impairments – depth perception and safety
• Practical strategies for vision on the move!Practical strategies for vision on the move!

Taking it Home: Patients and Caregivers Taking it Home: Patients and Caregivers

• PT phone home – game changing HEP strategies to increase compliancePT phone home – game changing HEP strategies to increase compliance
• Repetition and novelty are keyRepetition and novelty are key
• Simple and effective activities to send homeSimple and effective activities to send home
• Explaining complex concepts to patientsExplaining complex concepts to patients

Case Studies Case Studies

• MVA with TBIMVA with TBI
• Fall with knee injury and acute painFall with knee injury and acute pain
• Low back pain – disc herniation with acute unrelenting painLow back pain – disc herniation with acute unrelenting pain
• Neurological signs post fallNeurological signs post fall
• TKA acute pain and edema with resolution of pain and edema 2 treatmentsTKA acute pain and edema with resolution of pain and edema 2 treatments
• Anoxic injury – signs, symptoms and solutionsAnoxic injury – signs, symptoms and solutions