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Management of Soft Tissue Conditions
Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies
8 CE Hours | Online Course with Dr. Stephen Perle
This evidence-based 8-hour continuing education program focuses on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue conditions frequently encountered in chiropractic and manual therapy settings, emphasizing current best practice protocols.
Spine-related pain in clinical practice typically originates from four primary sources: discs, nerves, muscles, and joints. While chiropractic professionals demonstrate strong competency in joint-related pain management, specialized knowledge in diagnosing and treating the remaining three soft tissue pain generators is often less developed.
This comprehensive program examines the pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and treatment methods for soft tissue dysfunction and injury. You'll explore differential diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for joint dysfunction (subluxations), disc derangement, peripheral neuralgia, and myofascial trigger points—conditions routinely managed by primary spine care providers including Doctors of Chiropractic, Doctors of Physical Therapy, and medical physicians.
What You'll Learn:
- Diagnostic and treatment protocols for the four primary spine-related pain generators
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) techniques for connective tissue injuries
- Differential diagnosis strategies for distinguishing between soft tissue dysfunctions
- Prevention strategies to reduce recurrence and chronic condition development
- Rehabilitation exercise protocols and patient empowerment communication methods
- Integration of clinical evidence with hands-on manual therapy experience
- Approaches for incorporating emerging treatment methods
Course Structure - Available in 2 Segments
Part 1: Foundations of Soft Tissue Diagnosis and Treatment (4 CE Hours)
Instructor: Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS
This 4-hour evidence-based program emphasizes diagnostic accuracy and treatment excellence for soft tissue conditions commonly presenting in chiropractic and manual therapy clinical settings.
Primary spine-related pain typically stems from four sources: disc, nerve, muscle, and joint. While chiropractors possess extensive expertise in joint pain management, comprehensive knowledge of the other three soft tissue dysfunctions remains less prevalent across the profession.
This segment explores the underlying pathophysiology, clinical diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of soft tissue dysfunction and injury. You'll examine differential diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for disc derangement and myofascial trigger points—conditions well-suited to treatment provided or supervised by primary spine care practitioners such as Doctors of Chiropractic, Doctors of Physical Therapy, or medical physicians.
Key Topics:
- Pathophysiology of soft tissue pain generators
- Clinical diagnosis of disc derangement
- Myofascial trigger point identification and treatment
- Differential diagnosis protocols for soft tissue conditions
Part 2: Advanced Treatment and Clinical Integration (4 CE Hours)
Instructor: Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS
This 4-hour program advances your clinical toolkit through best practice models for evidence-informed Doctors of Chiropractic and manual therapy practitioners. The course introduces instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) applications for managing injuries to connective tissues including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Research-supported diagnostic and treatment approaches for soft tissue conditions address the four primary pain generators in spine-related disorders encountered in daily practice. The program examines pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of soft tissue injury and dysfunction, with particular focus on differential diagnosis and management of joint dysfunction (subluxations) and peripheral neuralgia—conditions typically responsive to treatment delivered or directed by primary spine care practitioners.
Key Topics:
- Introduction to Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM)
- Joint dysfunction and peripheral neuralgia management
- Prevention strategies for recurrence and chronicity
- Rehabilitation exercise prescription
- Patient empowerment through effective communication
- Reconciling clinical evidence with hands-on experience
- Incorporating novel treatment methods in evidence-based practice
Course Instructor:
Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS
Dr. Perle brings extensive clinical and academic expertise to this comprehensive soft tissue management program.
CE Credit Information:
This 8-hour online continuing education course provides essential clinical training in soft tissue diagnosis and treatment. State-specific approvals and credit categories are available on our Approvals page.
Flexible Learning: Complete the full 8-hour program or take Part 1 and Part 2 separately (4 CE hours each) based on your schedule and learning preferences.
Enroll today to enhance your diagnostic precision and expand your treatment capabilities for soft tissue conditions in clinical practice.
