Course Syllabus

Flexion/ Distraction
Ronald Wells, B.S., B.S., D.C.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at rwells@parkercc.edu

 

TRIMESTER: Fall 2006

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 2

LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK:   1 

LABORATORY HOURS PER WEEK:  2 

CONTACT HOURS PER TRI:  45 

CLASSROOM LOCATION: 208 N

OFFICE LOCATION: 
Suite 251, East  Building, 
Academic Center 

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday:           12:00 – 12:50  
Tuesday:          12:00 – 12:50

Wednesday:      12:00 – 12:50
Thursday:          12:00 – 12:50    
Friday:               12:00 – 12:50

OFFICE TELEPHONE: 
(214)  352-7332 Ext. 7223

PREREQUISITES: Palpation I

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Flexion-Distraction introduces the flexion-distraction table as developed by Dr. Leander Eckard and the concept of using motorized continuous passive motion to help find spinal fixations and then reduce the force necessary to correct vertebral subluxations. “Full-spine” adjustment delivery on the “Eckard Advantage” table will be presented as well as the PLUS technique for upper-cervical subluxations.

PURPOSE OF COURSE AS IT RELATES TO THE COLLEGE'S MISSION AND OUTCOME EXPECTATION:
This course is designed to focus the student's attention on the relationship of the structural and neurological aspects of the spinal segments and how they are involved in the restoration and preservation of natural health.  By doing so, students will be better prepared to become Doctors of Chiropractic, who will then serve as primary health care providers, and perpetuate chiropractic services world-wide for the benefit of mankind.

COURSE GOAL:
Students who successfully complete this course should be able to effectively analyze, diagnose, and adjust spinal subluxations with Flexion-Distraction protocols.

REQUIRED TEXT(S):
Leander Technique Course Manual
Leander Eckard, D.C.

SUGGESTED TEXT(S):
Motorized Flexion-Distraction
Dennis Anthony, D.C. and Stephen Tranter, D. C.

Low Back Pain: Mechanism, Diagnosis, and Treatment
James Cox, D.C.

Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine
Augustus White III, M.D. and Manohar Panjabi, PhD.

Essentials of Skeletal Radiology
Terry Yochum, D.C. & Lindsay Rowe, D.C.
 
 

COURSE MECHANICS:

Flexion-Distraction Mid term Written Exam

20%

Flexion-Distraction Mid term Practical Exam

20%

Flexion-Distraction  Final Practical Exam

20%

Flexion-Distraction  Final Written Exam

20%

Unannounced Quizzes

20%

TOTAL

100%

Attendance:

A professional education at Parker College requires a full time commitment by the student. Classes are demanding and academic standards are high. Students must expect to spend a significant part of each day in and out of class to successfully complete the program. Full realization of the learning process is reliant upon the fact that students are expected to attend and be attentive and participatory in all lecture and laboratory classes. Students must attend classes on a regular basis to attain the skill, training and expertise they will need to become successful Doctors of Chiropractic. It is in this light that Parker College of Chiropractic considers classroom attendance to be mandatory in all scheduled classes and laboratory sessions and failure of the student to attend classes and/or laboratory sessions could result in poor academic performance by the student, possible grade reduction and/or the student receiving a failing grade in the class.

At the discretion of the individual faculty member, student attendance in lectures, laboratory sessions and/or scheduled academic conferences may be a factor in deriving a student’s grade.

Students who are repeating a course because of previous academic failure are required by the Dean of Academic Affairs to attend all lectures and labs of the course in question. A student on Academic Probation is required to attend all lectures, laboratory sessions and scheduled academic conferences. If a faculty member in a department finds that a student is not meeting this attendance requirement, the student will be notified in writing with a copy of the letter sent to the office of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

The student is responsible for obtaining and learning subject materials presented during an absence. When the period of absence is known and may be planned, the student must confer with the appropriate course director and determine a plan of action for that absence. Absence from any examination (lecture or lab) must be accompanied by a written excuse documenting the extenuating circumstance which prevented the student from sitting the examination. If the excuse is considered valid by the course director then arrangements to sit exam must be made with the course director within 5 days of returning to class.

The licensing requirements of the states vary widely. Some state boards require a specific number of classroom hours in order to obtain a license to practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic in their respective states. It is the student's responsibility to determine, fulfill and document the requirements of the state(s) in which they are planning to apply for licensure. These requirements are available from the individual state boards and kept in the Office of the Registrar for the student to review.

Tardiness is disruptive to the class. Each student should make every attempt to get to class on time. A professor may refuse to allow to a tardy student to enter the classroom. A student who is tardy to a class may be counted absent for that class period.
 

Grading System:
Evaluation is an integral part of the educational process and is used as an educational tool to help students identify problem
areas, to recognize and reqard achievement, and to identify students who are unable to meet the rigors of the curriculum.  Final
course grades and their interpretation are listed below:
 

Grade

 Numerical Value

Grade Point Average 

Interpretation of 
Academic Achievement

A

89.5 - 100

4.0

Excellent

B

 79.5 - 89.4

 3.0

Above Average

C

 69.5 - 79.4

 2.0

Satisfactory

 D

 59.5 - 69.4

1.0

Minimal

F 

Below 59.4

 0.0

Unacceptable

*Secretary staff members are not allowed to give a student his/her grades either in person or over the telephone.*

Examinations:

Make-up Exams/ Lab Practicals
Exams/Lab Practicals are scheduled well in advance.  If a student must be absent from an exam/lab practical,
it is the student's responsibility to notify the Course Director no later than the scheduled starting time of the exam/ lab
practical.  Failure to notify the Course Director could result in the student receiving a grade of "0" for the missed exam/lab practical.  If the instructor determines the reason for missing a scheduled exam is valid and documentation of an extra ordinary circumstance can be provided,  then the following protocol shall be followed:  Not taking a scheduled written exam or practical exam at your scheduled exam time will result in an automatic 10 point drop in your grade.  You may take the practical exam during any other scheduled lab time, however, you may only test after all students scheduled for that particular exam time have tested.  The written exam will be offered and administered within 3 school days of the original exam.  After 3 days, if the student does not take the exam missed...a "0" will be given.

Unannounced Quizzes will be given to all students, however, only the students that participated in that day's class room activity will receive a grade.  All other students that were not in attendance when the Quiz and roll sheet was given will receive a "0".  All Quizzes will be compared with the roll sheet attendance for accurate grading.
 

Final Examinations:
Because some students are on special schedules an exception will be made only with documentation of a conflicting Final examination.  In this case the student will be required to take the exams back to back.  Arrangements must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled time of the final exam.

Students must be on time for all examinations.  However, if a student is late, and no one has left the examination room, they will be allowed to take the examination, but no additional time will be allowed.

If a student comes in late for an exam and another student taking the exam has already left the classroom, the late student will not be allowed to sit the exam, and will receive a grade of "0".

However, if the late student can provide valid documentation of an extra ordinary circumstance, arrangements can be made to take the missed exam.

Lecture Exam Review:
Exam results: Personal review of any exam or practical given must be arranged with the professor during the posted office hours and will not be permitted more than 10 days following posting of exam or practical results.  The review period for each exam will begin after the posting of the grades and last for ONE week only, excluding weekends and holidays.  Questions about the final exam and/or final course grades may be reviewed with the Course Director for a period of two weeks at the beginning of the subsequent trimester.

Classroom Participation:
As a student enrolled at Parker College, you will have opportunities to practice conducting physical examinations, orthopedic and neurological testing, and chiropractic techniques on other students, as well as other students practicing those same procedures on you. These classes are instructional and no doctor/patient relationship will be created with either the students or faculty
members. Students are required to:

    1) Conduct themselves in a professional demeanor.
     2) Follow appropriate classroom procedures to include appropriate draping.
     3) Refrain from any offensive or inappropriate behavior or statements.
     4) Refrain from engaging in any behavior which may constitute sexual harassment.
     5) Report any such activity to the faculty member supervising the lab or class.

Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating will not be tolerated.  If you are caught cheating, you will receive a "0" on that exam and disciplinary action will be taken
which could result in your dismissal from Parker College.  If you are suspected of cheating on an exam you may be singled out and required to sit in the front of the classroom so that you can be clearly watched.  The cheating policy included lecture exams, lecture quizzes and lab practicals.

Professional Decorum:
Students are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times.  Positive contributions to the learning environment and participation in classroom learning activities are expected.  Students should demonstrate courtesy to the instructor, to special guest speakers, and to other classmates.  Focusing your attention on anything other than pertinent classroom material is considered discourteous.  Any person who is discourteous or disrupts the class with unprofessional conduct will be ask to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for that class period.

Computer Use:
Students are encouraged to utilize personal computers in the classroom for taking notes, following the lecture outlines or reference materials, etc.  Other uses unrelated to the lecture topic are not allowed.  As an example, surfing the Internet or playing games during lecture or lab time is strictly prohibited and will result in the student being asked to discontinue use of their computers.
Also, the student may be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for that class period.

E-MAIL:  When I need to transmit important information to the class or an individual student, i.e. grades, schedule changes, etc.,  I will contact you via your Parker email address. As a Parker student you are responsible to periodically check your email. If you do not know your Parker email address, or how to log on to collect your email messages, contact Information Services at ext. 7450. If you experience an adverse outcome from missing important information, "I don't check my email" will not be considered a valid excuse.
 

Audio/Video Taping:
Since the courts have ruled that a professor's voice and physical image are their personal property, the prerogative of the audio taping and/or video recording of lectures/laboratories is a right specifically reserved to faculty.  Should you wish to record, using any device you must obtain the permission the respective instructor in all classes.

Important Note:
The provisions contained in this syllabus do not constitute a contract between the students and Parker College of Chiropractic.  These provisions may be changed at any time for any reason at the discretion of the course director.  When necessary, in the view of the college, appropriated notice of such changes will be given to the student.