Scrape, Tape, Cup & Glide: Restoring Space, Motion, & Slack for Restricted Neural Dynamics of the Lower Quarter
The concept of restricted neural dynamics is not new, however, its impact on our patients’ daily activities and movement tolerance is often overlooked during the examination and treatment of our patients. This course integrates the basic concept of “test-treat-retest” as a foundation to manage these challenging patients. Motion-based interventions consisting of neural flossing, nerve bed/nerve differential gliding, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), and negative pressure soft tissue mobilization (cupping); as well as corrective exercises and taping are covered in this lower extremity focused course. The basic principle that neural tissue needs space, motion, and slack for optimal healing potential underpins all concepts covered.
The course is appropriate for physical therapists, as both assessment and treatment concepts will be covered to aide in the care of their patients. This course includes laboratory sessions in which participants will practice neural mobilization and examination techniques. Interventions including instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, negative pressure soft tissue mobilization (cupping), exercises, and taping to facilitate movement and proprioception will be covered.
Please dress to allow access to your entire lower quarter to enhance the learning process.
During the hands-on lab sessions, the course instructor will evaluate each application for neural mobilization, IASTM, Cupping and Taping to determine 100% proficiency of all basic treatment techniques. This will be determined by direct observation and correction of any issues with techniques. A post-test at the end of the course is used to review new knowledge.
This course content is not intended for use by any participants outside the scope of their license or regulation.
You will be required to:
- bring along sharp scissors (preferably Teflon coated) for taping labs.
- dress comfortably for lab sessions, and wear shorts.
- wear comfortable clothing over lab attire, so you are not cold during lecture sessions.
It is recommended that you:
- bring an anatomy book, if you have one.
- do not apply moisturizing lotion or use Dove®/moisturizing soap the day of the course, as the tape will not adhere to your skin properly.
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Recognize the 3 conditions neural tissue requires for optimal health and healing potential
- Given a patient with suspected lumbar radiculopathy vs. peripheral nerve entrapment, the participant will accurately bias the sciatic, tibial, fibular, sural, femoral, saphenous, and obturator nerves for differential assessment
- Justify based on evidence how basic treatment to restore space, motion, and slack can be integrated into the overall treatment plan for patients with chronic plantar foot and heel pain
- Given a case scenario, choose 3 appropriate IASTM treatments to enhance movement and space for movement dysfunctions resulting from restricted neural mobility for a patient with chronic hamstring or adductor strain
- Choose from among 3 basic negative pressure soft tissue techniques (cupping) over the nerve bed to enhance space and movement for addressing restricted neural dynamics for a patient with chronic hamstring tightness
- Following the course and given a case scenario the participant will integrate cupping, IASTM strokes and taping techniques in a patient with Meralgia Paresthetica
Day 1
| 7:30 – 8:00 | Continental Breakfast and sign in |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Introduction and background of basic concepts: Neural Physiology for Optimal Healing – Space, Motion, Slack |
| Assessing the Sensitized Neural Tissue: The following Labs are focused on collecting baseline data for test-treat-retest guided clinical decision-making | |
| 9:00 – 9:45 | Palpation Lab |
| 9:45 - 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 - 12:00 | LE Mobility Assessment Lab |
| 12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | Quiz for concept retention & treatment conditions Review/ Quiz |
| Mechanotransduction | |
| 1:30 – 2:00 | Basic Concepts |
| Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization | |
| 2:00 – 2:15 | Instrument Anatomy |
| 2:15 – 2:45 | Basic nerve bed strokes |
| 2:45 – 3:00 | Indications/contraindications |
| 3:00 – 3:15 | Break |
| Case Scenario Teaching Labs – Application of Concepts, Introduction of Interventions & Techniques Posterior Hip & Thigh, Foot |
|
| 3:15 – 4:45 | Concepts covered: structural differentiation. Treatment principles: nerve bed IASTM & manual therapy (pin & glide) – clinical cases Lab
|
Day 2
| 7:30 – 8:00 | Continental Breakfast and sign in |
| 8:00 – 8:15 | Basic Principles and Techniques |
| 9:15 – 9:15 | Integrating IASTM and Cupping simultaneously over the nerve bed to promote space and motion in the above clinical scenarios |
| Sliders and Tensioners | |
| 9:15 – 9:45 | Exercises to facilitate carry-over of manual interventions |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| The Pelvis, Inguinal Region, and Medial & Lateral Thigh | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Chronic Adductor Strain
|
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Pelvic Pain
|
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | Anterolateral Thigh – the Meralgia Paresthetica |
| Elastic Therapeutic Tape | |
| 1:30 – 2:00 | Basic Principles and types
|
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Taping Application Lab – Use of taping over nerve beds |
| 3:00 – 3:15 | Break |
| Integration of Skills – Course Conclusion | |
| 3:15 – 4:15 | Small Group Activity – Use of selected patient case scenarios above
|
14 contact hours
BOC Level: Advanced
This course content is not intended for use by any participants outside the scope of their license or regulation.
This live course is accepted by many professional credentialing organizations and state professional regulatory boards. Rules and regulations change frequently without notification, and apply differently to live and online courses. Please check with your state board to confirm accuracy of this list and acceptance of contact hours. Certificate of Attendance will be issued to all participants upon completion of the course and may be used for CEU verification of credits.
CE credits vary by state. Please check with your state board/certifying agency to confirm conversion of contact hours to CEUs.
Rehab Education, LLC is recognized as:
- AOTA approved provider of OT and OTA continuing education (#6177)
- approved provider of PT and PTA continuing education by the NY State Education Department Board of Physical Therapy.
- approved provider of PT and PTA continuing education by IDFPR/ Illinois Board of Physical Therapy (#216000227).
Physical Therapy Board of California: The Physical Therapy Board of California recognizes Rehab Education, LLC as an approval agency to approve providers offering continuing competency courses for CA licensed PTs and PTAs. This course is approved for 14 contact hours.
Physical Therapy Board of California: The Physical Therapy Board of California recognizes Rehab Education, LLC as an approval agency to approve providers offering continuing competency courses for CA licensed PTs and PTAs. This course is approved for 14 contact hours.- Rehab Education, LLC is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 14 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. (Course must be taken before 3-31-2026)
Rehab Education, LLC is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 14 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. (Course must be taken before 3-31-2026)Illinois State Board of Physical Therapy: Approved CE Sponsor by Illinois State Board of Physical Therapy, Division of Professional Regulations, Approval #216.000227. (Course must be taken prior to 09-30-2026)
New Jersey State Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Rehab Education, LLC is recognized as an approved provider of Chiropractic continuing education by the New Jersey State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. This course is approved for 14 contact hours. (Course must be taken prior to 08/31/2027)
NY State Physical Therapy Board: Rehab Education, LLC is recognized as an approved provider of PT and PTA continuing education by the NY State Education Department Board of Physical Therapy. (Course must be taken prior to 05-10-2028)
States that Accept AOTA Approval / PT State Boards’ Approval Reciprocity
The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. At the time of listing, these states currently recognize AOTA Approved Providers for OT continuing education either in regulatory language or by formal written communication to AOTA. For an up-to-date list, see the AOTA website.
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona*
California
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida **(self-report to CE Broker)Georgia*
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Maryland
Massachusetts
MichiganMinnesota
Mississippi*
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New YorkNorth Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode IslandSouth Carolina*
South Dakota
Tennessee*
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin (self study courses only)
*see CE Broker
**FL licensees may need to self-submit courses in CE BrokerDisclaimer: Rehab Education LLC provides this list for your convenience. At the time of listing, the following state boards accept courses by virtue of approval by other organizations. It is the responsibility of the participant registering for a course to check with their state board to confirm rules and regulations regarding acceptance of contact hours for live and online courses.
The following PT Boards accept courses approved by other PT State boards*:
Alaska
Delaware
District of Columbia
Hawaii
IllinoisIndiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
MontanaNorth Carolina
North Dakota
Oregon
Pennsylvania
TennesseeUtah
Vermont
Virginia
Wyoming
The following PT Boards accept courses approved by other APTA state associations*:
Alaska
Arizona
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida **(self-report to CE Broker)
GeorgiaKansas
Kentucky
Mississippi
Missouri
North Carolina
North DakotaRhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Wyoming
The following PT Boards do not require pre-approval for continuing education activities as long as they are “directly related to the licensee’s practice of physical therapy” and/or meet the guidelines established by the board.
Alabama
Colorado
Connecticut
Iowa
New Hampshire
Washington
Wisconsin
HELPFUL LINKS:
*NBCOT…National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (view PDU requirements)+HTCC… Hand Therapy Certification Commission (view recertification requirements)
Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC): This course is accepted by HTCC towards re-certification.
Fast Facts
Skill Level: Intermediate
Delivery Method: Live, in classroom
Who Should Attend:
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Certified Athletic Trainer
- Doctors of Chiropractic
Note: Prior exposure to IASTM in the clinic or through an introductory course is recommended
Locations:
More Dates Coming Soon
Instructors:
Mark W. Butler, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT
is a board certified Orthopaedic clinical specialist and Mckenzie certified specialist for mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine. He started his own practice eighteen months after graduating from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now the University of Science in Philadelphia), which he sold to NovaCare in 1997.
He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UMDNJ, guest lecturer at Stockton College in New Jersey, and Medical College of Virginia where he lectures on Advanced Orthopedics, Neural Mobilization, Radiology, and Evaluation and Treatment of TMJ Disorders. Mark is also a continuing education speaker on Evaluation and Treatment of Brachial Plexopathies, Neural Mobilization, the lumbar spine, and the shoulder. He was honored in 2006 with the James Tucker Excellence in Clinical Practice and Teaching Award by the APTAnj. He presented at the national conference in Hollywood of the American Society of Hand Therapists on Evaluation and Treatment of the Brachial Plexopathy Patient. His lecture series was selected as the featured topic on CD ROM to be available to the ASHT membership.
Mark is a frequent presenter at conferences, including the APTAnj annual conference, the InNovations and Sports Medicine conferences at the Philadelphia Eagles Complex, and the Cincinnati Fracture conference. He authored the shoulder chapter in the textbook Fundamentals of Hand Therapy: Clinical Reasoning and Treatment Guidelines for Common Diagnoses of the Upper Extremity, which was published in 2014. Mark continues to manage the NovaCare Medford outpatient clinic, where the majority of his caseload is brachial plexopathy, shoulder, and spine patients.
What Students are Saying:
“Very well put together course with great mix of lectures, hands on labs, case studies and clinical pearls.”