Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

Students
- know typical musculoskeletal diseases and understand anatomy, pathophysiology and biomechanics
- can analyse the changes in patient’s movements as well as functionality
- know the principles of examination for differential diagnosis
- know the principles and key concepts of joint mobilisation
- know the elements of therapeutics in individual and group physiotherapy
- know various forms of therapy and understand the theoretical arguments behind them
- understand pain as phenomenon
- know the indications and contraindications of pain medication and antidepressants

Content (course unit)

- physiotherapy in musculoskeletal problems
- different ways to assess pain
- the basis of physiotherapy in treatment of pain
- the basis of join mobilization
- physical therapy and electrotherapy
- the basic concepts of physics from the viewpoint of physical therapy and electrotherapy
- medicine
- required pharmacology
- Radiological Examination
- ICF= international classification of functioning

Prerequisites (course unit)

To be able to participate this course you have to have pased the first year courses.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Evaluation criteria, Satisfactory (1-2):
- The student is able to recognise and define key terminology and phenomena of musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
- The student prepares for situations inconsistently. The student participates in the goal-oriented work of a group.
- The student is only partly able to recognise their interaction skills

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Evaluation criteria, Good (3-4):
- The student can structure and link key terminology and phenomena of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and is able also to incorporate earlier knowledge
- The student is able to apply knowledge into different situations
- The student prepares mainly well to different situations
- The student shows interest in improving their interaction skills
- The student takes responsibility of their own and the group's actions

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Evaluation criteria, Excellent (5):
- The student is able to combine and apply earlier and new knowledge fluently and purposefully, especially in the area of musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- The student is able to evaluate their competence constructively
- The student works in collaboration responsibly, flexibly and constructively

Location and time

The course takes place at TAMK main campus, 1.8.-15.12.2023

Exam schedules

Timetables for exams is announced later.
- electrotherapy
- lower back
- lower limbs
- upper limbs
- cervical spine

The physics demonstration takes place during the last lessons in a way chosen by the teacher.

A failed exam can be retaken twice on the marked re-exam dates or at a time agreed with the teacher.

Assessment methods and criteria

Activity in class (pass-fail) and a group presentation in seminar (pass-fail).
Theory exams (0-5).
Physics (pass-fail).
Electrotherapy (pass-fail).
Independent assignments (pain and electrotherapy) (pass-fail).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Physiotherapy for Adults 1 -course begins 1.8.2023, week 31 (1.-4.8.2023) is reserved for independent studies. Assignments related to pain and physical treatments can be found from course-Moodle.

The course begins with an orientation lecture 7.8. at 12:30.

Theoretical and practical lessons, group work, seminars, independent studies, written assignments

Learning materials

Materials downloaded to the course Moodle, independently acquired material related to the topic and in addition:
Physiotherapy:
Magee DJ. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 5th edition (or later). St. Louis: Saunders, 2008.​

Other resources:
Hertling, Kessler, 2006, Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders. Physical therapy. Principles and Methods.
Kaltenborn, 2003, Manual Mobilisation of the Joints the Kaltenborn method of joint examination and treatment 2: the spine
Kaltenborn, 2008. Manual Mobilization of the Joints. Volume III Traction-Manipulation of the Extremities and Spine. Basic thrust techniques. Norli:Oslo, Norway.
Luomajoki H. 2010. Movement Control Impairment as a Sub-group of Non-specific Low Back Pain. Evaluation of Movement Control Test Battery as a Practical Tool in the Diagnosis of Movement Control Impairment and Treatment of this Dysfunction.
Shacklock Michael 2005. Clinical neurodynamics. A new system of musculoskeletal treatment. Elsevier Limited.
Sharman A. Shirley, 2002, Diagnosis and treatment of movement impairment syndroms.

Student workload

9 cr x 27 h = 243 h student´s work

Completion alternatives

No alternative methods of performance.
The course is compulsory for all students in the Physiotherapy degree programme.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Clinical practice 6.11.-8.12.23.

Meeting for clinical practice supervisors, teachers and students in Zoom 24.10.2023.

Further information

The prerequisite for the completion of the course is the successful completion of the physiotherapy content and anatomy and physiology of the first year of study.

Tutorials and practical lessons are compulsory, absence is compensated by an independent assignment agreed with the teacher. The seminar is compulsory for all students and the absence will be compensated by a seminar report, the instructions for which can be found in the PBL manual.

The timetable for the course can be found in Pakki.

An electronic course feedback form will be collected at the end of the course.
Changes to the implementation and the timetable may be possible during the period.