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Start: 09:00

Finish: 17:30

The clinical benefit associated with manual therapy is not simply related to restoring movement to restricted joints and normalising local muscle tone through segmental reflex effects. A major therapeutic role is attributed to activation of the central nervous system (CNS) – in recent years the literature is saying this more and more. It is thought that many chronic or treatment-resistant musculoskeletal conditions are perpetuated by ongoing neurological dysfunctions or maladaptive post-injury changes in the CNS. It has also been suggested that a neurorehabilitative approach is what is needed to more successfully manage such chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

This seminar aims to teach you the basics of functional neurology in a simple and easy-to-understand way. It will provide you with fundamental knowledge of nervous system structure and function, as well as teaching examination techniques related to the cerebellum, cranial nerves and eye movements. You will also learn the basic principles of neuro-rehabilitation. The seminar will be interactive with quizzes and video demonstrations of the practical material.

Course Content: 

• How and why neurological dysfunction can occur.
• The different motor tracts and their clinical importance.
• Functional roles of the sensory tracts.
• Cerebral cortex – overview of the parietal & frontal lobes.
• Ocular examination – pursuits & saccades.
• Cranial nerves and their correlation to functional impairments in the brainstem; and how to examine for these deficits.
• Cerebellum: its function in motor control, motor adaptation, postural stabilisation and injury prevention.
• Cerebellar testing & introduction to neuro-rehabilitation.

Speaker

Nicole Oliver, DC, MChiro, BSc(Hons), PgDip(MSK Neuroscience)

Nicole graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC) in 2005 and began studying functional neurology in 2006. She gained the Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (DACNB) qualification four years later. Alongside clinical practice she lectures for Neuroseminars, teaching functional neurology to chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other health care professionals in the UK and Europe. Nicole has presented at several conferences and conventions, including the 2014, 2016 & 2026 European Chiropractors Union (ECU) Conventions, the 2019 World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) Congress, and at the annual or biannual conferences/ meetings of the Swiss, German, Norwegian, Belgian, Finnish, Swedish, Irish and Scottish national associations.