NDT Upper Extremity Workshop
Workshop Description
This three-day workshop is specifically designed for therapists working with adults with neurological conditions. As a prerequisite to attending this workshop, participants must have completed a 5-day NDT Introductory workshop.
This workshop consists of lectures, lab handling sessions, patient treatment and demonstrations. Advanced patient handling skills will be developed through lab sessions and working with other participants. Patient demonstrations and individual attention will be provided by the instructors to enhance the participants’ handling and problem-solving skills.
Workshop Content
- Biomechanical requirements and movements components in the upper quadrant including the thoracic spine and ribcage.
- Analysis of movement components for functional tasks in the UE.
- Discussion of the arm-leg connection.
- Assessment and identification of common impairments contributing to activity limitations in the upper quadrant in individuals with neurological conditions.
- Problem solving of treatment intervention strategies to enhance control and efficient functioning in the upper extremity.
Workshop Objectives
At the completion of this workshop, the participant will be able to:
- Identify normal movement components of the UE.
- Discuss biomechanics of the UE.
- Analyze atypical patterns of the UE which interfere with function.
- Identify the relationship between missing components of movement and the compensatory strategies developed by adults with stroke and brain injury.
- Synthesize information to develop appropriate intervention strategies for persons with neurological dysfunction as related to the UE.
- Structure appropriate intervention strategies based on discussions during the workshop and from patient demonstrations.
Instructor
Cathy Hazzard (B.Sc.P.T, C/NDT, MBA) is a PT with over 36 years’ experience working with adults with varied neurological diagnoses. Her clinical background also includes experience and continuing education courses in manual therapy and orthopaedics. She obtained an MBA in 1993 while continuing to work as a PT.
She has been an NDTA™ Coordinator Instructor in Adult Courses since 1998 and has taught introductory, certificate, and advanced level NDT courses extensively throughout North America and internationally. Cathy practiced in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for over 20 years in the acute, rehabilitation and outpatient phases of care. She is now working in private practice on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Cathy has been an invited speaker at the NDTA™’s annual conferences in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022, and 2025. She served as the Chair of the NDTA™’s Instructor Group from 2002 – 2005 and a member of the Board of Directors of NDTA™ from 2003 – 2007 and 2018 – 2023. She has written 2 articles for the Neurosciences Division’s journal, Synapse, of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and numerous articles for the NDTA™’s Network. She is one of 5 editors for the NDTA book – NDT in Action, 2016.
NDT Upper Extremity Workshop
When? 07.06-09.06.2026
Where?: Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Sadama 16 Haapsalu Estonia
Investment: 300€ including materials, lunches & coffee-breaks
The course provides 28 academic hours (21 hours)
Learning materials: Provided by the instructor
Additional information: jaana.vanem@hnrk.ee +372 58786975
Schedule
Sunday | Breaks will be scheduled mid-morning and mid-afternoon daily. |
0900-0930 | Workshop Introduction – Discussion |
0930-1015 | The Framework Reviews – ICF & the Intervention Session Triad |
1030-1145 1145-1230 | Jump starting the Arm – what to do and where to start The Shoulder Girdle – anatomy and kinesiology review |
1230-1330 | Lunch |
1330-1445 | Lab: SG anatomy cont’d |
1500-1645 1645-1700 | Activating the arm – handling options in support, in various postures and in many ranges Questions |
|
|
Monday |
|
0900-1045 | Impairment identification – video cases to develop a specific system impairment list |
1100-1230 | Patient Demonstration & Discussion #1 |
1230-1330 | Lunch |
1330-1445 | Lab – Actively stretching and re-aligning the proximal SG and arm joints/tissues |
1500-1630 | Modified Chain Activities – what are they and using this concept to treat and progress the UE |
1630-1700 | Questions and Problem Solving |
|
|
Tuesday |
|
0900-1045 | Reach – what is it and how to progress towards it |
1100-1230 | Patient Demonstration & Discussion #2 |
1230-1330 | Lunch |
1330-1500 | Managing Gravity |
1515-1630 | Lab – Developing Distal Function |
1630-1700 | Final questions and workshop wrap-up |