Managing the High Tone Upper Extremity 

Course Description

High tone is a common clinical presentation following a stroke or brain injury.  Hypertonicity can have a negative impact on recovery of the upper extremity. This one-day virtual workshop will present NDT principles and intervention strategies related to managing the high tone upper extremity. The overall objective of this workshop is to provide clinicians with knowledge and skills to maximize function in an individual who has a high tone upper extremity.

The workshop will contain didactic information, problem solving sessions, detailed lab information with handouts, and videos to watch.  The session will have live, virtual interaction with the instructor throughout the workshop.  There is also an optional lab component for those individuals who would like time to practice the labs and receive live virtual feedback from the instructor.  Individuals who register for this component will need to have a colleague, family member or friend who are available for the lab practice.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

Understand the principles of the NDT approach to the treatment of adults with neurological impairments and particularly as applied to management of the high tone upper extremity following a stroke or brain injury

Identify major impairments that interfere with developing upper extremity function in an individual who has high tone.

Explore treatment strategies to address impairments, and problem solve how to modify surfaces in order to  facilitate activity in the high tone upper extremity. 

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Course Format

8:30-8:45         Introduction

8:45-9:45         Principles of Management

9:45-10:00       Jam Board Session

10:00-10:15     Break

10:15-11:30     PROM Impairments

11:30-12:00     Jam Board Session

12:00-12:30     Lunch

12:30-1:30       Connecting the UE for Support

1:30-1:45         Splints/Supports with Jam Board Session

2:00-3:00         Optional Lab Practice

Karen Guha, PT, BScPT, C/NDT, CIDN, NDTA Coordinator Instructor

Karen is a physiotherapist at Grand River Hospital and Back Works Spinal and Sports Rehabilitation.  She received her Physical Therapy degree from the University of Toronto in 1996 and became NDT trained in 1999.  Karen became a NDTA™ PT Instructor in 2007 and a NDTA™ Coordinator Instructor in 2011.  In 2017 Karen completed her certification in Integrated Dry Needling.  Karen has over 20 years’ experience working with adults with neurological impairments in acute, rehabilitation and outpatient settings.  Karen has taught NDT courses throughout North America and internationally.