The Structural and Functional Assessment of the Canine Spine

Learning Outcomes: - Ask focused and pertinent questions to help to develop a complete medical history related to the head - Describe pain behaviors, postural preferences, and movement patterns associated with dysfunction or injury to tissues and structures of the head - Describe the soft tissue and osseous features of the skull and temporomandibular joint - Perform a detailed evaluation of the head using manual therapy evaluation techniques - Assess the active and passive mobility of the mandible and temporomandibular joint - Discuss the structural and functional aspects of the temporomandibular joint - Identify specific dysfunction and associated rehabilitation issues related to the clinical signs - Determine the clinical relevance of the identified issues in order to develop appropriate treatment plans or the need for referral

Instructors

Dr. Kevin Haussler

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Instructor: Dr. Kevin Haussler

Dr. Haussler obtained a B.S. in agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984. He graduated in 1988 from The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by a small animal internship at the Sacramento Animal Medical Group in 1989. Dr. Haussler was a relief veterinarian for multiple small animal practices, emergency clinics, and humane societies from 1989 to 1994, when he became interested in pursuing further specialized training in the diagnosis and management of pain and musculoskeletal disorders in animals. 

He enrolled in Palmer College of Chiropractic-West, a human chiropractic program, to learn how to apply human chiropractic techniques and principles to the treatment of animals with musculoskeletal-related disorders. Dr. Haussler started veterinary chiropractic practice with equine and small animal patients in 1992.  He graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in 1993.

Dr. Haussler went on to obtain a PhD in Comparative Pathology from the University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. The focus of his PhD research was the evaluation of the anatomy, pathology, and biomechanics of the lower back and pelvis of Thoroughbred racehorses. 

He then went on to complete postdoctoral training investigating in vivo equine spinal kinematics in 1999 at the Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and was invited to be a Lecturer at Cornell University until 2005, where he was responsible for teaching equine anatomy, biomechanical research, and initiation of a clinical Integrative Medicine Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals in both the large and small animal clinics that provided chiropractic, acupuncture, and physical therapy services. Dr. Haussler’s research studies have included the evaluation of in vivo equine spinal kinematics, paraspinal muscle morphometry and histochemistry, and the initiation of equine chiropractic research assessing pain and spinal flexibility. 

In 2010, Dr. Haussler was invited to be a founding member of the new speciality college, The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, where he has served in several Board of Directors’ positions and as a committee chair.  Currently, Dr. Haussler is an Associate Professor at the Orthopaedic Research Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University where he has continued research interests in objective assessment of musculoskeletal pain and the diagnosis and treatment of spinal dysfunction.

Topics

COURSE INTRODUCTION
Background and Purpose of the Course
Course Content
Course Instructor

HEAD AND TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
Pre-assessment Survey
Case Presentations

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE HEAD
Introduction
Topographical Anatomy
Bones of the Head
Temporomandibular Joint Anatomy
Temporomandibular Joint Motion
Muscles of the Head – Overview
Temporalis Muscle
Masseter Muscle
Digastricus Muscle
Innervation of the Muscles of Mastication

CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HEAD
Observation
Soft Tissue Palpation
Palpable Bony and Articular Landmarks
Assessment
Mobilization Techniques

MANUAL THERAPIES
Lateral Mobilization of the Mandible
Medial Mobilization of the Temporomandibular Joint
Summary of Mobilization Techniques

CONCLUSION
Neuro-musculo-skeletal Integration

Learning Outcomes:

  • Ask focused and pertinent questions to help to develop a complete medical history related to the head
  • Describe pain behaviors, postural preferences, and movement patterns associated with dysfunction or injury to tissues and structures of the head
  • Describe the soft tissue and osseous features of the skull and temporomandibular joint
  • Perform a detailed evaluation of the head using manual therapy evaluation techniques
  • Assess the active and passive mobility of the mandible and temporomandibular joint
  • Discuss the structural and functional aspects of the temporomandibular joint
  • Identify specific dysfunction and associated rehabilitation issues related to the clinical signs
  • Determine the clinical relevance of the identified issues in order to develop appropriate treatment plans or the need for referral

Course Content

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