I recently completed an intensive 4-day course with the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM), which focused on the cervical spine and upper limb areas. As a physiotherapist, it’s vital for me to stay up to date with the latest treatments and continually refresh my knowledge, ensuring I can provide my patients with the most effective care possible. This course was particularly valuable, offering both a deep refresher of established treatment methods and new approaches that I’ve already started applying in my practice.
The SOMM course provided comprehensive core training, enabling clinicians like myself, who work in the musculoskeletal (MSK) field, to examine, diagnose, and treat common disorders more effectively. The training honed in on the upper limb areas—neck, shoulder, wrist, and elbow—allowing me to gain new insights into treating some of the most common conditions that affect these regions.
Focus on the Upper Limb: Refreshing Key Techniques
During the course, I was reminded of the importance of proper assessment and diagnosis when working with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, or elbow pain. It can be easy to focus solely on the area where the patient is feeling pain, but as physiotherapists, we know that dysfunction in one part of the upper limb can often affect others. The course emphasized a holistic approach to treating the upper limb, which I found incredibly beneficial.
One key area where the course helped me sharpen my skills was in treating rotator cuff injuries and tennis elbow. These conditions are notoriously tricky to treat, often requiring a mix of hands-on techniques like deep transverse frictions, exercise therapy, and in some cases, corticosteroid injections.
New Ideas for Treating Tennis Elbow and Rotator Cuff Issues
For treating tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), I learned valuable new techniques for opening up the elbow joint through joint traction. This method creates space in the elbow joint, reducing pain and allowing the body to heal more effectively. I also refreshed my understanding of specific points in the elbow that respond well to deep transverse frictions—a technique I use regularly to break down scar tissue and adhesions that form around the tendons.
Rotator cuff injuries, particularly those involving inflammation or tears, often require a multi-faceted treatment approach. Deep transverse frictions, which I use to target affected tendons, were reinforced as a key technique in the course. The course highlighted the value of consistency and accuracy when using frictions to treat these conditions, and I now feel more confident in my ability to apply this method with even more precision.
Another new technique I learned during the course was the use of traction combined with mobilizations for the shoulder joint. Shoulder injuries, especially impingement syndromes, often lead to stiffness and limited range of motion, which can be challenging to treat. This new method of joint traction has proven helpful in easing shoulder pain and improving mobility for my patients.
Insights into Steroid Injections: A Future Skill Set
One of the most exciting elements of the course was the in-depth look at the use of steroid injections for musculoskeletal conditions. Injections are particularly useful for reducing inflammation in tennis elbow, shoulder impingement, and rotator cuff issues. The course provided detailed information about injection techniques, including where to place the injection for maximum benefit. I plan to further my skills in this area by completing Level 2 and Level 3 courses later this year, which will qualify me to administer injections myself.
Steroid injections can be incredibly effective in providing short-term relief from pain and inflammation, particularly in cases where traditional physiotherapy treatments like exercise and manual therapy haven’t provided sufficient results. By adding this to my skill set, I’ll be able to offer my patients even more comprehensive care, ensuring that they get the treatment they need to return to full function as quickly as possible.
The Importance of Continuing Education
This course reaffirmed my belief in the importance of continuing professional development. Physiotherapy is an ever-evolving field, and as research advances, new techniques and treatments become available that can significantly improve patient outcomes. By staying up to date with the latest developments, I can ensure that I’m providing my patients with the best possible care.
One of the best parts of the SOMM course was the networking opportunities with other physiotherapists. Sharing experiences and discussing difficult cases with peers provided new perspectives and treatment ideas that I might not have considered otherwise. It’s easy to get into a routine with treatment techniques, but being exposed to new methods and refreshed on older ones keeps me flexible and adaptable in my practice.
Moving Forward with Confidence
I’m excited to continue using the new skills and insights I gained from the SOMM course in my clinic. My patients have already started benefiting from the updated approaches I’ve implemented, particularly those suffering from elbow and shoulder issues. By integrating deep transverse frictions, joint traction, and my refreshed assessment techniques, I feel better equipped to manage even the most challenging cases.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to complete the next levels of training and add steroid injection therapy to my repertoire. This will further enhance my ability to treat musculoskeletal conditions and improve my patients’ quality of life.
If you’re struggling with shoulder, elbow, wrist, or neck pain, I’m here to help. I’m always happy to discuss your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan based on the latest techniques and treatments. Don’t hesitate to reach out and book an appointment.
For further information or to book a session, please contact me, Victoria, on 07813 912 313 or email tors@stoneystrettonphysiotherapy.co.uk. Let’s work together to get you back to feeling your best!