Casting Motion to Mobilize Stiffness – Portland, OR

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

Date: November 15-16, 2025

Time: 8 am – 5 pm each day

Location:
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Souther Classrooms
9155 SW Barnes Rd
Portland, OR 97225

Instructor:
Kantessa, Stewart, OTR/L, CHT

Course Description:
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. This course provides the therapist an opportunity to gain understanding into how CMMS 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.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  1. Identify abnormal motor patterns in the stiff wrist and hand, and will identify patients who would benefit from the CMMS treatment technique. 
  2. Analyze maladaptive motor patterns in the stiff hand and differentiate between the intrinsic plus and intrinsic minus patterns of movement.
  3. Determine the best CMMS cast position to treat maladaptive movement patterns of the stiff hand.
  4. Integrate cortical remapping concepts using active redirection in treatment of the stiff hand.
  5. 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.
  6. Identify contraindications for using the CMMS treatment technique.
  7. Recognize when to initiate the weaning process used in the CMMS technique.
  8. Integrate advanced CMMS techniques into a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient with the stiff hand.
  9. Apply more advanced CMMS casting techniques.
  10. Develop clinical reasoning skills in regards to cast progression and modification while using CMMS for the treatment of the stiff hand.
  11. Progress the treatment plan through the CMMS cast weaning process.
  12. Identity potential billing codes for reimbursement and documentation for the CMMS technique.
  13. Discuss patient factors that may influence the outcome of CMMS.
  14. Develop skills to advocate and promote the CMMS techniques to colleagues and referring providers.

Continuing Education Credit:
The course has been approved for 16 contact hours, or 1.6 CEUS, from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Board of Certification of Certified Athletic Trainers (BOC-ATC).

Registration Fee:
Members $450
Non-Members $510

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.

For further information or questions regarding this course, contact education@asht.org. 

Presenter(s)
Kantessa Stewart, OTR/L, CHT

Kantessa Stewart has been an Occupational Therapist since 1999 and a Certified Hand Therapist since 2007. She graduated from The Ohio State University earning her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Professions in 1999 and attended Drexel University, obtaining a Certificate in the Advanced Practice of Hand and Upper Quarter Rehabilitation in 2007. Kantessa has spent the majority of her career in out-patient orthopedics. She started in a hospital-based clinic for the first 10 years of her career, moving to a physician-owned practice for the last 16 years. Kantessa has developed transitional work programs providing specialized hand therapy in manufacturing facilities, expanded a mall hand therapy program within a local hospital, and opened hand therapy satellite clinics for the physician-owned practice where she is employed. 

Kantessa has worked diligently to expand the knowledge of Hand Therapy in western Ohio. She has developed sound programs with skilled therapists, provided continuous learning opportunities for staff and started the Dayton Hand Therapy Group, scheduling bimonthly continuing education. Kantessa has lectured on various topics of the upper extremity at both state and national conferences including ASHT, OOTA and ASSH, Virtual Platforms and has taught Orthosis Fabrication at Rhodes State College. Currently she is employed within the Hand Center of Southwestern Ohio/Orthopedic Associates as a Clinical Manager, carrying a full patient caseload. She collaborates with the surgeons on protocol development, assists in Journal Club planning, organizes staffing in therapy clinics and serves as a clinical specialist within the Hand Therapy Department.

Kantessa thrives on challenges and strives to search for solutions for patients not responding to traditional therapy techniques. Her interest in CMMS began after taking a Virtual CMMS Course taught by Robyn Midgley. Since then she has worked hard to utilize Judy Colditz’s technique in the clinic to help patients with limited motion not responding to their courses of treatment. Kantessa continued to further develop her understanding of the CMMS technique by mentoring from Judy Colditz to problem-solve difficult cases. She assists in leading the bimonthly CMMS Discussion Group sponsored by BraceLab and worked with a team of hand therapists to develop the one and two day Hands-on Casting Motion to Mobilize Stiffness Travelling course for ASHT released in December 2024. Kantessa is passionate about sharing the CMMS technique with other therapists because of the change it has made in her own practice and the successful outcomes she has obtained with her patients. Kantessa is excited to be presenting on the CMMS technique at IFSHT 2025, the Texas Hand Society meeting in 2025 and the traveling ASHT Hands-on CMMS course.

Contact info:
stewartkantessa@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/kantessa-stewart-otr-l-cht-853219235