NKTE: Equine NeuroKinetic Therapy – Level 1
Summary
What is NeuroKinetic Therapy®?
NeuroKinetic Therapy® corrective movement system is a sophisticated technique that addresses the causes of dysfunctional movement/coordination problems at their root in the motor control center in the cerebellum. The motor control center stores these patterns and directs their completion through the spinal cord and the muscles. The motor control center learns through failure.
In this course, students learn the concepts of motor control theory and the NeuroKinetic Therapy® system’s protocol. Manual muscle testing (through an indicator) will be demonstrated for each segment of the body of the animal. How to recognize compensation patterns, whether they are from reciprocal inhibition or a dysfunction in a kinetic chain, will comprise much of the classroom theory and practical sessions.
Outline
DAY 1
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Discussion of the Theory of NeuroKinetic Therapy
– Understanding how MCC coordinates and controls body movements
– How to assess muscle imbalances (human demonstration)
– How NKT can be used in assessment of muscle function in the horse – the principles of Indicator Testing
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Discussion and demonstration of muscle testing for the core and thoracolumbar spine (rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, thracolumbar fascia/epaxial paraspinal musculature)
– Learning and practicing Directional Testing
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Discussion and demonstration of lumbopelvic assessment and muscle testing (gluteals, adductors, abductors, adductors)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Practice under supervision: assessment and testing
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Discussion and demonstration of testing in the quadriceps, hamstring, stifle and hock regions
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Practice under supervision: assessment and testing
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Review of day 1 material, including practical portion
DAY 2
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Discussion and demonstration of testing in deltoids, trapezius, rhomboids, latissimus and pectoral group
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Practice under supervision: assessment and testing
11:00 am – 12:00pm
Discussion and demonstration of testing in biceps, triceps and antebrachium muscle groups
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Practice under supervision: assessment and testing
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Discussion and demonstration of testing for neck muscles (brachiocephalicus, splenius, extensor and flexor groups)
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Practice under supervision: assessment and testing
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Review of techniques of testing across the entire horse
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Practice under supervision: assessment and testing
Prerequisites
This course is open to all licensed/certified veterinarians, chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, bodyworkers, and any other manual therapy practitioners. Unless you are a veterinarian, the online EQ50: Equine Anatomy Distance Study course is a prerequisite for this course. While the exam does not need to be completed prior to attending this NKT course, you must be very familiar with the material.
Unfortunately, prospective students without a license or certification are not eligible to take this course (horse owners, trainers, riders, etc). Human therapists/NKT practitioners who do not hold a formal qualification to work on animals are not eligible for participation in the NKT Animal courses.
Required Materials
All course materials are included in the cost of tuition
Instructor
Dr. Nicole Rombach, APM (ITEC),
PG AM, MEEBW, CCBW, MSc., PhD, FEI PET
Dr. Rombach attained the ITEC human massage qualification in 1997, the Equinology Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1998 and the Equinology Master Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1999. She also completed the post-graduate and Master of Science degree programs in Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and University of Wales in the United Kingdom. She earned her PhD in 2013 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Her main interest lies in the effect of complementary therapies on equine performance, and the subject for her doctoral research was investigation into equine neck pain from the perspectives of pathology, neuromotor control and equine behavior associated with spinal dysfunction.
Dr. Rombach is the founder and President of Equinenergy® Ltd. and Caninenergy Ltd, United Kingdom-based educational institutions that offer a variety of recognized certification courses in equine and canine complementary healthcare science. From 2003 to 2009 she was based in São Paulo, Brazil where she worked in direct liaison with various veterinary clinics, focusing on sports therapy for performance horses from novice to Olympic level. She traveled to national competition centers and private clients throughout Brazil and in other South American countries. In addition, she carried out infrared thermographic imaging (thermography) in conjunction with equine veterinarians to aid their diagnostic procedures. She also uses thermography to assess hoof balance, saddle fit and changes in thermal patterns following sports therapy sessions.
Dr. Rombach regularly lectures at various universities and for professional associations. She travels within the USA and to Europe and Brazil on a regular basis to teach several of the Equinology courses and to work on her established clientele of horses and dogs. She is the chief instructor and examiner for Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) Equine and Canine worldwide. In addition to clinical consultations, Dr. Rombach is the Course Development Liaison Manager for Equinology, Inc., in charge of national and international expansion of the Equinology course curriculum.
Register
Students register directly through NeuroKinetic Therapy Select the NKT Equine – Level 1 course in Woodbine, Maryland and complete the online registration. NKT Equine certification is issued upon completion of case studies and practical examination.
Early-bird pricing of $650 is available if paid by August 1st, 2023. Tuition increases to $750 if paid after that date.