The General Natural Practitioners Guild
And
Allied Professionals
Continuing Professional Development

A library of CPD papers is in the process of being assembled from which we anticipate that you may choose to follow your specific interest. It will take time to do this and as always we have to start at the beginning. It is considered that you will need to do two papers annually to acquire ten CPD hours a year minimum

Distance learning CPD module, set at a general post graduate level, are provided for those members who are unable, due to distance, to travel to the GNPG CPD workshops and seminars; we advise you to travel and attend these as, in addition to the learning content of each session, there is also the interactive element with other members. Many a clarifying insight is obtain by discussing learning topics with others. You also get the feeling of belonging to the profession rather than existing as an isolated practitioner.

But, note that, as in most cases of learning, there is an essential element of experiencing the practical, the 'seeing and practising the technique' of how it is done. Such can only be obtained by attending a workshop. Therefore, we do not, and cannot convey the practical by the written word only. We may describe a technique or method but such needs to be practised by you to develop the correct action, to 'acquire the feel'; therefore, some modules are supported by workshops.

However, if you are unable to travel then the distance learning approach is the next best thing to the problem of obtaining your CPD hours

To obtain access to and download the CPD modules you need an access password appropriate to each module. To get this you will need to contact the GNPG Administration Office: Telephoning 07973-822750 or email: info@gnpg.co.uk sending a cheque to register for each module quoting the reference of the module you require.

The cost of each module is £35.00; this includes the marking of the multi-choice question paper and the issue of the CPD certificate.

If you simulate your attendance at a workshop by sitting down to study each module, you should be able to complete it in half a day - equivalent to half a day at a workshop. However, circumstance at home or in the practice are not always conducive to doing this and therefore you are give two months in which to complete each module.

This manner of obtaining your CPD credit is acceptable to the self-regulatory process being progressed by the relevant professional bodies at this time; such provide only an outline of the future form of acceptable CPD. Such guidelines as have been issued include, among many other approaches, the recording of the reading of professional articles and books and the time you spend doing this. Hence the distance learning module is generally acceptable to many organisations and in particular to the GNPG for CPD. With this system of distance learning you acquire certification to endorse your claim to have undertaken CPD in any year.

Ref BM1 - Biomechanics 1 (Part 1): Bones, Ligaments and Tendons

Whilst the title of the module is headed Biomechanics, it deals essentially with the understanding of the body structures that is fundamental to all the work that we do. This module should be followed by BM2 Biomechanics (Part2)

Summary - The practitioner's understanding of biomechanics must be based on a thorough insight to the body structure and the interplay of its motive parts to achieve efficient mobility This paper considers the connective role of bones, ligaments and tendons participating in a biomechanical function and the interactive relationship between them. Consideration is given to their associated anatomical, bio- chemical and morphological properties and their qualities of stiffness, strength, function, susceptibility to injury and repair. This module is particularly suited to the sport therapist.

BM2 - Biomechanics (Part2) - Basics

This module assumes that BM-1 has been studied

This module is leveled at the Sports Therapist, the Complementary Practitioner and is also suitable for the Footcare Professional who has had no or little experience of biomechanical terminology. Knowing the technical jargon and understanding what each terms defines is more than half way to understanding the subject.

Summary - From a consideration of Newton's 3rd Law in relation to cause and effect the paper proceeds to introduce, in outline, such aspects as: Functional impairment factors, mechanical efficiency, considerations on the affects of body mass and the centre of gravity, referencing planes of the body, lever types and actions, physical and functional laws, degrees of joint movements, biomechanical descriptive terms of motion. These aspects are followed by some simple diagnostic checks which can be carried out using simple items such as pen and paper, a rule, set square and protractor. Such checks provide an introduction to diagnosing general conditions of the body without the need for expensive equipment, which can come later when you are more versed in the art of the subject.

Do not forget to keep your CPD portfolio up to date