Casting Motion to Mobilize Stiffness (CMMS): Changing the Way We Treat the Stiff Hand

Casting Motion to Mobilize Stiffness: Changing the Way We Treat the Stiff Hand is an ASHT Education on Tour traveling course offering that provides therapists with an opportunity to understand how the CMMS technique mobilizes tissues in an effort to reactivate the brain’s motor pathways after injury.

Using concepts from neuroscience, motor re-learning and tissue healing, participants will learn to analyze abnormal movement patterns of the stiff hand and how to choose the most appropriate CMMS cast position. The opportunity to become familiar with Plaster of Paris cast application, removal and bi-valving of the cast, and open discussion of CMMS case examples and cast modifications will be provided. This course will not only improve the therapist’s clinical skills, but also provide insight on why we need to change the way we treat the stiff hand. 

The CMMS technique, developed by Judy Colditz, OT/L, CHT, FAOTA, integrates principles of neuroplasticity, therapeutic exercise and the art of plaster casting to simultaneously address poor CNS movement patterning, fibrotic edema, tissue tightness and joint contractures. While it has been described in the literature and is clinically demonstrated to decrease hand stiffness, it remains an underutilized treatment technique.

View course agenda

Interested in bringing this course to your site? Please complete the course request application.

Upcoming CMMS Courses

Fort Lauderdale, FL
January 31-February 1, 2026
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Loveland, CO
March 7-8, 2026
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Dublin, OH
March 13-14, 2026  (*Friday & Saturday)
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Greensboro, NC
March 21, 2026
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Presenters

Ann Marie Feretti, Ed.D, OTR/L, CHT
Johanna Jacobson-Petrov, MHS, OTR, CHT
Katie Pisano, OTR/L, CHT
Kantessa Stewart, OTR/L, CHT
Karol Young OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Objectives

Basic CMMS Concepts & Casting (One-Day Course Option) 
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  • Fabricate an MP blocking cast
  • Demonstrate additional CMMS cast(s)
  • Identify maladaptive motor patterns in the stiff wrist and hand to be able to identify patients who would benefit from the CMMS treatment technique
  • Analyze maladaptive motor patterns in the stiff hand to be able to differentiate between the dominant interossei flexion and dominant extrinsic flexion grasp patterns
  • Determine the best CMMS cast position to treat maladaptive movement patterns of the stiff hand
  • Integrate cortical remapping concepts using active redirection in treatment of the stiff hand to promote increased participation in daily activities
  • Practice the steps of CMMS cast application, cast removal and how to bi-valve a cast using Plaster of Paris casting material and casting tools
  • Identify contraindications for using the CMMS treatment technique
  • Recognize when to initiate the weaning process used in the CMMS technique
  • Select appropriate occupation-based interventions that support normal movement patterns throughout the CMMS intervention process

Advanced CMMS Concepts & Casting (Two-Day Course Option) 
Objectives shown above for the Basic one-day course plus the following:

  • Fabricate MP blocking cast, MP flexion cast with a hood, thumb spica
  • Opportunity for fabrication of additional cast designs
  • Integrate advanced CMMS techniques into a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient with the stiff hand
  • Apply advanced CMMS casting techniques for complex cases  
  • Use clinical reasoning skills for cast progression and modification while using CMMS for the treatment of the stiff hand
  • Progress a treatment plan through the CMMS cast weaning process
  • Select appropriate billing codes for the CMMS treatment and create documentation to support the use of CMMS during therapy
  • Discuss patient factors that may influence the outcome of CMMS
  • Advocate and promote the CMMS techniques to colleagues and referring providers

Registration Fees

One-day course
Members $280
Non-Members $325

Two-day course
Members $450
Non-Members $510

Continuing Education Credit

The course has been approved for 8 contact hours/0.8 CEUS (one-day course) and 16 contact hours/1.6 CEUs (two-day course) from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Board of Certification of Certified Athletic Trainers (BOC-ATC).

Host this Course at Your Facility

If your organization would like to host this course at your site, please complete the request form below. Please note, there is a minimum of 14 weeks lead time from when the course date is scheduled to ensure there is adequate time to plan and promote a successful course. 

CMMS Course Request Form

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited enrollment is planned to ensure quality of course and ample instructor-participant attention. Cancellation of registration up to two weeks prior to course date will result in a refund minus a $50 cancellation fee. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AFTER THIS ESTABLISHED DEADLINE. It is the responsibility of the registrant to notify ASHT of cancellation in writing or by email to education@asht.org. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of notification. In the unlikely event that a course is canceled, ASHT will provide full refund of the registration fee only.

All grievances may be directed to the ASHT Education Division by sending an email to education@asht.org.