Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Physiotherapy Applied to Dysfunctions of the Locomotor Appratus

Physiotherapy Applied to Dysfunctions of the Locomotor Appratus
6
15566
2
Second semester
OB
Physiotherapy in clinical specialties
Physiotherapy in other clinical specialities
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Teaching staff


Dra. ORTEGA CEBRIÁN, Silvia - sortega@uic.es

Titular Lecturer 

Dra. Silvia ORTEGA (sortega@uic.es)

Seminar Lectures 

  • Dra. Laura Pacheco Arajol (lpacheco@uic.es)

  • Sra. Ivet Farriols Arimont (ivetfarriols@uic.es)

  • Sra. Berta Ramos (bramos@uic.es)

  • Dra. Aida Cadellans (acadellans@uic.es)

Introduction

T-P Seminar: Muscle Stretching

Given the numerous positive effects on the various organic systems of the human body resulting from the practice of stretching, its different methods are considered a fundamental tool for the daily practice of physiotherapists. Stretching occupies a broad spectrum within kinesiotherapy; its passive and active modalities offer a wide range of possibilities to combine with other therapeutic techniques, contributing to the restoration of proper functionality and the prevention of injuries associated with physical activity and sports.

 

T-P Seminar: Bandaging and Taping

The various techniques of functional bandaging (taping) are an essential tool in the professional development of a physiotherapist. Mastering these techniques opens a wide range of possibilities within both preventative and therapeutic approaches.

 

T-P Seminar: Massage

Therapeutic massage is a fundamental tool in physiotherapy that acts as a bridge between joint mobilization and functional recovery. Its importance lies in its ability to simultaneously generate physiological, mechanical, and psychological effects. Massage allows for the manipulation of soft tissues to increase the elasticity of adhesions, improve flexibility, and reduce muscle tension. This is crucial for restoring range of motion (ROM) and functional recovery, as well as for pain reduction.

 

T-P Seminar: Application of Clinical Reasoning (CR)

Clinical reasoning, under the IFOMPT framework, is defined as a multidimensional analysis process that integrates clinical findings, theoretical knowledge, and scientific evidence. Its objective is to identify not only the injured structure but also the nature of the disorder, contributing factors, and the patient's prognosis.

The course is structured like a gear system where each seminar provides a critical piece for patient management. In the CR seminar, these pieces are integrated through clinical cases, alongside theoretical content on neuromuscular and proprioceptive concepts. This integration includes:

  • Anamnesis (Clinical History).
  • Assessment and orthopedic testing.
  • Hypothesis generation.
  • Treatment planning.
  • Application of manual therapy and mobilization.
  • Application of therapeutic exercise.

Pain Descriptors: A Transversal Pillar The seminars taught us to distinguish between nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. This radically changes our reasoning: we do not treat an acute sprain the same way we treat chronic low back pain with central sensitization.

In this subject, seminars are no longer seen as isolated compartments. Clinical reasoning acts as the common thread: using communication (the interview) to understand the context, palpatory anatomy and tests to localize the problem, and combining manual therapy, stretching, and bandaging with exercise to resolve the clinical case—always guided by clinical practice guidelines and current evidence.

Ultimately, reasoning in physiotherapy is an exercise in constant reassessment. Each treatment is a clinical experiment where the student must embody the role of the physiotherapist in knowledge, reasoning, and practice.

Pre-course requirements

Attendance at the seminar is mandatory in its entirety. To be eligible for assessment in any of the course blocks, students must maintain a minimum attendance of 70% of in-person classes.

Failure to meet this requirement will result in a "No Show" (NP) for the 1st session, and the student will be required to attend the 2nd session.

These rules adhere to UIC regulations; therefore, no justifications will be accepted other than those for court summons or legal proceedings. The course consists of 29 classes, and with a 70% mandatory attendance requirement, the following maximum absences are permitted per block:

  • Stretching: Up to two absences allowed.
  • Bandaging: Up to one absence allowed.
  • Massage: Up to one absence allowed.
  • Clinical Reasoning Application: Up to four absences allowed.

Academic Rationale

The primary objective of the theoretical-practical subjects in the Bachelor's Degree in Physiotherapy is the acquisition and development of technical procedures and skills directly related to professional practice. This objective dictates the structure of these classes: small groups under the direct and continuous supervision of the professor.

Consequently, attendance at seminars is considered essential and necessary to ensure the acquisition of these competencies.

Important Note: Absences may only occur exceptionally and must be motivated by force majeure. Under any circumstances, if absences exceed 30% of the training load, the student will be required to re-enroll in the subject in the following academic year, with no possibility of taking the exam in the 2nd session.

Failure to comply with these regulations may have significant negative effects on the enrollment process (such as scheduling overlaps or academic incompatibilities) and the expected timeline for completing the degree.

Syllabus

T-P Seminar: Muscle Stretching

Theoretical foundations of muscle stretching:

  • Placement of stretching within physical qualities.
  • Concept and types of flexibility. Mechanical and sensory properties of tissues.
  • Classification of muscle stretches. Dynamic and static modalities, and neuromuscular techniques.
  • Indications and contraindications for different muscle stretches. Muscle stretching and physical activity.
  • Muscle stretching in musculoskeletal pathology.

Practical applications of muscle stretching:

  • Upper extremities.
  • Rachis (Spine).
  • Lower extremities.

 

T-P Seminar: Taping

  • Theoretical foundations of functional taping.
  • Functional taping  for upper extremities: elbow, wrist, and fingers.
  • Functional taping for lower extremities: ankle.

 

T-P Seminar: Massage

  • Definition of different massage techniques.
  • Definition of the effects of massage on connective tissue.
  • Application of different massage techniques by anatomical regions.
  • Application of different massage techniques within the context of clinical cases.

 

T-P Seminar: Application of Clinical Reasoning (ACR)

  • Definition of ACR.
  • Structure of anatomical regions through clinical cases and role-playing.
  • Clinical case presentation.
  • Signs, symptoms, and sources of pain.
  • Assessment and application of diagnostic tests.
  • Hypothesis generation.
  • Physiotherapy treatment (Tx) planning.
  • Neuromuscular and proprioceptive concepts.
  • Implementation of physiotherapy treatment.
  • Development of re-assessment tests.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The grade of the subject of Physiotherapy Applied to Dysfunctions of the Musculoskeletal System is obtained with the sum of the weightings of the Continuous Evaluation (60%) and Final Exam (40%).

The minimum grade to pass the subject is a 5. The minimum grade of each seminar to be able to calculate the average is 4.5.  Students who do not show up for the evaluation activities will have a NP that is equivalent to a grade of 0.

If the student fails to pass one of the four seminars of the subject during the first sitting, the student may be evaluated in the second sitting. In the event of not passing the second call of any of the four seminars of the subject, the student must repeat the entire subject and take the exam the following year of the two blocks.

In case of not passing the continuous evaluation of a block of the subject during the first call, the student may be evaluated in the second call through a practical exam that includes the 4 blocks, that is, the exam will be of the practical content of the subject.

In case of not passing the final theoretical exam, the student will be evaluated in the second call through a theoretical exam of all parts of the subject.

The mention of "Honors" may be awarded to students who have obtained a grade equal to or greater than 9.2. Its number may not exceed 5% of the students enrolled in a subject in the corresponding academic year, unless the number of students enrolled is less than 20, in which case only one Honors Degree may be granted.

The weightings of the Continuous Assessment (60%) are distributed as follows:

  • Stretching Seminar: 25%
  • Bandage seminar: 7%
  • Massage seminar: 13%
  • Clinical Reasoning Application Seminar: 55%

The final exam (40%) is distributed in a part of a multiple-choice question, short question and development question on the date of the final exam.

 

T-P Stretching Seminar (25% weighting of 60% of CA)

The continuous evaluation of the seminar (25%) will involve the following sections:

  • Basic theoretical concepts (10%) that must be known and reflected in an outline, individually.
  • Practical application (15%) evaluated by explaining and executing a specific stretch for a clinical case, 'last day of class.

You will have to pass the 2 tests (minimum grade 5) to calculate the final grade of the seminar

In the event that the student does not pass the continuous evaluation of this block, it will be evaluated in the second call through a practical exam that includes the 4 blocks, that is, the exam will be of the practical content of the subject.

In case of not passing the final theoretical exam, the student will be evaluated in the second call through a theoretical exam of all parts of the subject.

 

T-P Dressing Seminar (7% weighting of 60% of CA)

Continuous Evaluation (7%). The test will consist of delivering a document (in pdf format) in pairs, with the presentation of a clinical case (of their own choice) where the following must be specified:

  • Contextualization of the case: choice of injury and patient.
  • Choice of functional dressing with the sequence of images required to perform it.

In the event that the student does not pass the continuous evaluation of this block, it will be evaluated in the second call through a practical exam that includes the 4 blocks, that is, the exam will be of the practical content of the subject.

In case of not passing the final theoretical exam, the student will be evaluated in the second call through a theoretical exam of all parts of the subject.

Massage T-P Seminar (13% weighting of 60% of CA)

Continuous Evaluation (13%) in class, the tests will consist of solving a clinical presentation with the assessment, the application of massage techniques individually and in class exposure format. These evaluations will be during classes and during a final exam.

In the event that the class evaluation is not favorable, grade less than 5/10, a penalty of -0.25 will be applied for evaluation of the final grade of the massage block.

To be evaluated, the activity must be presented in the last day's class and must meet the established requirements.

In the event that the student does not pass the continuous evaluation of this block, it will be evaluated in the second call through a practical exam that includes the 4 blocks, that is, the exam will be of the practical content of the subject.

In case of not passing the final theoretical exam, the student will be evaluated in the second call through a theoretical exam of all parts of the subject.

Seminar T-P Application of Clinical Reasoning (weighting 55% of 60% of CA)

Continuous Evaluation (60% of 55%) in class, the tests will consist of solving clinical cases through the clinical reasoning process individually and in class exposure format.

Group work (40% of 55%). Students must submit a work in video format based on a clinical case and make a proposal of exercises for each phase of treatment based on the knowledge acquired in the subject.

In the event that the student does not pass the continuous evaluation of this block, it will be evaluated in the second call through a practical exam that includes the 4 blocks, that is, the exam will be of the practical content of the subject.

In case of not passing the final theoretical exam, the student will be evaluated in the second call through a theoretical exam of all parts of the subject.

 

Bibliography and resources

Seminar T-P muscle Stretch 

  1. Alter, M. Los estiramientos. Desarrollo de ejercicios. Barcelona: Paidotribo, 1992.

  2. Esnault, M. Viel, E. Stretching (estiramientos miotendionosos) Automantenimiento muscular y articular. Barcelona: Masson, 1999.

  3. Esnault,, M. Estiramientos analíticos en fisioterapia activa. Barcelona: Masson, 1994.

  4. Neiger, H. Estiramientos analíticos manuales. Técnicas Pasivas. Madrid: Panamericana, 1998.

  5. Geoffroy, C. Guide des etirements sportifs. Paris: Ed.Vigot; 2000.

  6. Geoffroy C. Guía práctica de los estiramientos. Barcelona: Paidotribo; 2012.

  7. Di Santo, M. Amplitud de movimiento. Barcelona: Paidotribo; 2012.

  8. Esnault, M. Columna vertebral y Stretching: Barcelona: Paidotribo; 2009.

  9. Peninou, G. Tixa, S. Las tensiones musculares: del diagnóstico al tratamiento. Barcelona: Masson; 2010.

  10. Ylinen, JJ. Estiramientos terapéuticos en el deporte y en las terapias manuales. Barcelona: Masson; 2009.

  11. Romero Rodríguez, D. Tous Fajardo, J. Prevención de lesiones en el deporte Claves para un rendimiento deportivo óptimo. Barcelona: Panamericana; 2011.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 03/06/2026 A15 08:00h
  • E1 03/06/2026 G5 08:00h
  • E1 03/06/2026 A14 08:00h
  • E2 09/07/2026 A16 12:00h
  • E2 09/07/2026 G5 12:00h
  • E2 09/07/2026 G6 12:00h
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