Course Description:

 Although kinesiology stresses the interaction of the lower extremity kinetic chain, this information is not commonly used in practice for examination/treatment.   When hip joint motion is restricted then lumbopelvic motion is the site of compensatory movement.  Thus the interaction of the hip and lumbar spine becomes particularly important.  This lecture will describe the movement system impairment (MSI) syndromes of the lumbar spine and the hip joint, as well as the factors contributing to these syndromes particularly as they relate to the passive and active characteristics of muscle and on structural variations of the hip joints.  The clinical and laboratory evidence of back and hip interactions will be discussed.  The presentation will help clarify how the pain pattern and the examination that includes correcting the offending movement can assist the therapist in determining the regional source of the pain.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Sahrmann is Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy/ Neurology/ Cell Biology and Physiology at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.  She received her Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Neurobiology from Washington University.  She is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association and is a recipient of the Association's Marion Williams Research Award, the Lucy Blair Service Award, and the Kendall Practice award, the John H.P. Maley Lecture and Mary McMillan Lecture awards.  Dr. Sahrmann has also received Washington University's Distinguished Faculty Award, the School of Medicine’s Excellence in Clinical Practice Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Indianapolis.  She has served on the APTA Board of Directors. 

Dr. Sahrmann's research interests are in development and validation of classification schemes for movement system syndromes as well as in exercise based interventions for these syndromes.  Her books, Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes and Movement System Impairment Syndromes of the Cervical and Thoracic Spines and the Extremities describe the syndromes and methods of treatment.