The cervical spine often attracts greater concern and scrutiny than other spinal regions, particularly when the possibility of neck manipulation is raised. This Intensive will help you to understand the challenges of accurate diagnosis and decision-making in this complex area.

As you will learn, most patients with cervical disc pain present with widespread symptoms that do not look like radiculopathy. Many disc lesions simply manifest as scapula, axilla or chest pain. Some express disc pain through repeated bouts of torticollis over many years. Would you recognise this? Even in cases with nerve root involvement the patient often complains of non-dermatomal symptoms, which are frequently misdiagnosed as a shoulder complaint (such as a 'supraspinatus tendonitis'). It is your job to make the diagnosis and triage accordingly.

Whiplash patients often face an uncertain future of pain and neurological disability. But what are the mechanisms of this? Why do some individuals experience dizziness, cognitive dysfunction, visual disturbances and tinnitus? What role might the facet joints, multifidus muscles and vestibular system play in such a diverse set of symptoms?

In the Advanced Spinal Diagnosis Intensive you'll learn how to use the orthopaedic and neurological examination as more than just a search for end-stage pathology. That’s why this Intensive consistently reinforces the neurological mechanisms that underpin the control of posture and joint stability. You will also learn the essentials of interpreting MRI scans - one of the most valuable tools for making your diagnosis, and your prognosis.

So join Dr Anthony Nicholson for an inspiring weekend that will change how you think and how you practice.