The Somatosensory System
Presented by Tracy Stackhouse
Non-Financial: Tracy Stackhouse has no competing non-financial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Meet your instructor
Tracy Stackhouse
Tracy Stackhouse is a clinical pediatric occupational therapist who has specialized in working with children, adults, and families affected by fragile x syndrome (FXS) and Fragile X related conditions since the late 1980s. Through this work, first at Children's Hospital in Denver, continuing at the UC Davis MIND Institute,…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Adaptive Somatosensory Functions: What Somatosensation Does for Us
The focus of this chapter is to provide an overview of the adaptive functions of somatosensation, addressing what somatosensation does for us as a core function underlying a multitude of capacities. When there is a disruption in basic somatosensory processing, it is important to determine if the difficulties are related to sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, or a concert of both. This chapter provides an overview of the adaptive functions / last sentence: This introductory chapter helps to frame the core somatosensory adaptive functions.
2. Receptors
In this chapter, the somatosensory receptors are reviewed based on stimulus type and receptor type. These two classic categories allow for different ways of thinking about how somatosensation is processed for different purposes. Knowledge of receptor types allows for careful consideration of treatment modalities and approaches, thus providing the neurological foundation for evidence-based practice.
3. Pathways and Functions
Chapter Three provides a review of the primary pathways and functions of somatosensation, which elucidates the sensory discrimination and sensory modulation structural and functional differences as well as the precision of the nervous system in replicating receptor fields into central detail maps for use. Somatosensation is processed from receptor, through distinct pathways, into discrete adaptive functions that contribute widely to many neurologically based capacities. As such, it is a critical system and often disrupted in individuals with a variety of neurodevelopmental challenges.
4. Assessment of Somatosensory Function With Demonstrations
This final chapter reviews assessment of somatosensation, including both formal / There are standardized and non-standardized versions of tests for the primary somatosensory functions. The classic assessments evaluate sensory discrimination and sensorimotor-related functions. The classic assessments evaluate sensory discrimination and sensory motor related functions. In order to determine sensory modulation qualities, qualitative observation is required. From assessment, keys to treatment are reviewed. The chapter utilizes an Ayres’ Sensory Integration approach and general treatment principals so that assessment and treatment are tied together for best practice use of somatosensation therapeutically.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Medbridge courses.
Who creates Medbridge courses?
We work with industry-leaders, top researchers, and consultants to build content roadmaps that are then structured into courses, filmed, and edited by our production team before being launched to our site.
How often does Medbridge release new courses?
New courses are added monthly and are automatically included in your subscription as they launch.
How often does Medbridge update courses?
Medbridge reviews its courses annually for relevance and to assess if content is up to date. Based on these reviews it may be determined that a course is out of date resulting in the course being re-filmed or retired, if the content is no longer needed (e.g. a replacement course already exists, the concepts are no longer best practice, etc.).
How many courses does Medbridge offer?
We have over 3,000 accredited courses and we are continually updating our library with new courses. Check our course library for the most up-to-date count for your discipline.
Are there any additional fees for taking a Medbridge course?
There are no additional fees for taking a Medbridge course, obtaining a course certificate of completion, earning CEUs as a subscriber, or accessing any of the additional tools your subscription may include.
Is there a limit to the number of courses I can take?
There is no limit to the number of courses you can take as a subscriber! As a subscriber to Medbridge, you have unlimited access to over 3,000+ accredited CE courses.
If you are a Premium subscriber, you also have unlimited access to our Patient Engagement Tools such as the Home Exercise Program, Patient Education Library, Orthopedic Exam Tests, and Manual Therapy Techniques. We have over 7,000 exercises and over 650+ videos and handouts of patient education resources with more exercises and patient education added to the library based on subscriber feedback, volume of request and specialities.
What is your refund policy?
You are eligible for a refund provided your request is received within 30 days of your subscription purchase and your account has no activity.