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.
What people are saying!
Top Takeaways
- Almost 2 full days to practice mobilizations and manipulations for the entire spine.
- Extensive review of relevant research for HVLA thrust techniques to the upper and lower cervical spine.
- Deep dive into how important speed is for a HVLA thrust and how small the movement is for the patient.
Course Objectives
At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:
1. Correctly and independently state the anatomy and physiology behind a joint cavitation
2. Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the cervical spine
3. Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the thoracic spine
4. Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the lumbar spine
5. Correctly and independently perform 3 cervical mobilization/manipulation techniques
6. Correctly and independently perform 3 thoracic mobilization/manipulation techniques
7. Correctly and independently perform 3 lumbar mobilization/manipulation techniques
8. Correctly and independently perform 3 sacral/pelvic mobilization/manipulation techniques
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.

Course Outline
Saturday
Breakfast
Lecture: Introduction, Overview of Mobilizations vs Manipulations
Lecture: Key Concepts – Cervical Spine
Lecture: Key Concepts – Thoracic Spine
Lecture: Key Concepts – Lumbar Spine
Lecture: Key Concepts – Sacrum
Lunch (on your own)
Lab - Cervical Spine
Case Study - Cervical
Review Questions and Self-Assessment
Adjourn
Sunday
Breakfast
Review Questions
Lab: Thoracic Spine
Lab: Lumbar Spine
Lunch (on your own)
Lab: Sacral/Pelvic
Case Study - Lumbar
Review/Critique of Skill in Manipulation in Each Area
Questions
Adjourn
Course PDF
Course Brochure PDFClick here for Great Lakes Seminars policy regarding COVID and ongoing updates.