Advanced Spinal Mobilization and Manipulation

Course Description

Many clinicians lack the confidence to perform HVLA techniques to the cervical spine and rib cage. This course breaks down each technique and provides a great amount of practice time to ensure you can safely and confidently perform these techniques in the clinic.

Course material will include an overview of anatomy, normal and abnormal biomechanics, evaluation of the spine, and techniques for advanced spinal mobilization and spinal manipulation. Clinicians will develop an understanding of when to choose a spinal mobilization versus a manipulation, and a proficiency in advanced spinal techniques. As with all of our manual therapy courses, this course is at least 75% hands-on lab.

This course is not open to PTAs per the American Physical Therapy Association's stance on performing mobilizations.

 

Click here to check for course approval in your state

At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:

  • Correctly and independently state the anatomy and physiology behind a joint cavitation
  • Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the cervical spine
  • Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the thoracic spine
  • Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the lumbar spine
  • Correctly and independently perform 3 cervical mobilization/manipulation techniques
  • Correctly and independently perform 3 thoracic mobilization/manipulation techniques
  • Correctly and independently perform 3 lumbar mobilization/manipulation techniques
  • Correctly and independently perform 3 sacral/pelvic mobilization/manipulation techniques

Saturday

7:30am

Doors Open

8:00am

Lecture: Introduction, Overview of Mobilizations vs Manipulations

9:00am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Cervical Spine

9:45am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Thoracic Spine

10:30am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Lumbar Spine

11:15am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Sacrum

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab - Cervical Spine

4:30pm

Case Study - Cervical

5:00pm

Review Questions and Self-Assessment

5:30pm

Adjourn

Sunday

7:30am

Doors Open

8:00am

Review Questions

8:30am

Lab: Thoracic Spine

10:45am

Lab: Lumbar Spine

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab: Sacral/Pelvic

3:15pm

Case Study - Lumbar

3:45pm

Review/Critique of Skill in Manipulation in Each Area

4:45pm

Questions

5:00pm

Adjourn

Course Instructors

John Duncombe

PT, DPT, OCS, MSPT, CIMT, CSCS, GCS

John received his Master’s of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2001. He obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy through the Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions (EIM) while simultaneously finishing a 2 year Orthopedic Residency program with EIM. He is board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the American Physical Therapy Association. While at the University of Wisconsin he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as well as a Golf Conditioning Specialist. John treats a vast array of outpatient orthopedic dysfunctions, looking at a wide variety of structures, tissues, and systems that may be contributing to the source of symptoms. His special interests are in post-surgical shoulder and knee patients, cervical-thoracic injuries, and runners with varying types of lower extremity dysfunctions. John currently works for Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy and is the clinic director and owner of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in the northern suburbs of Chicago. When any free time presents itself, you can find him running the trails training for his next Ultra Marathon or spending time with his wife and 2 children.

John Duncombe

What people are saying!

For me, the most useful aspect of this course was the thoroughness of the instructor on the information and techniques. Every technique was clear, concise, demonstrated many times, and the instructor was very well educated on the techniques and material. From the beginning, the professor set the tone by stating that he encourages questions and will answer every question that we had, and he executed that very well.
Richmond, VA
Simple and concise information that I can use immediately with my patients. Not only techniques and treatments, but ideas for follow up exercises and movements to maximize results.
Portland, OR
I loved the time spent on manual techniques, especially on Day 2. The hands-on guidance by the instructor was extremely helpful in my learning.
Chicago, IL
Great techniques and evidence to justify techniques. Dispelled any myths or misconceptions about manipulations. My fears of performing manipulations are significantly less following class.
Portland, OR

Course PDF

View Brochure