Orthopedic Manual Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Biomechanics of Human Movement

Examines joint kinematics, force transmission, and movement coupling. Links mechanical principles to clinical reasoning for load management and technique selection.

Lesson 2 • Evidence-Based Practice Principles

Introduces research literacy, clinical evidence hierarchies, and outcome measurement. Enables practitioners to critically evaluate and apply current literature.

Lesson 3 • Professional and Ethical Standards

Defines scope of practice, informed consent, and professional conduct in manual therapy. Establishes the ethical framework governing all clinical interactions.

Lesson 4 • Musculoskeletal Anatomy Review

Covers bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissue relevant to manual therapy. Provides the structural map needed for all subsequent assessment and treatment decisions.

Lesson 1 • Patient History and Subjective Examination

Teaches structured intake interviewing, symptom profiling, and red flag screening. Accurate history-taking directs the physical examination and identifies contraindications.

Lesson 2 • Muscle Strength and Length Testing

Applies manual muscle testing grades and muscle length assessment protocols. Identifies neuromuscular imbalances contributing to joint dysfunction.

Lesson 3 • Active and Passive Range of Motion Testing

Covers goniometric measurement, end-feel classification, and overpressure application. Quantifies mobility deficits and guides joint-specific treatment selection.

Lesson 4 • Postural and Observational Analysis

Trains systematic visual assessment of alignment, symmetry, and movement quality. Observational findings generate hypotheses tested in subsequent physical tests.

Lesson 1 • Stretching and Flexibility Techniques

Compares static, dynamic, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching methods. Matches stretching technique to tissue irritability and patient presentation.

Lesson 2 • Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Introduces tool selection, stroke mechanics, and tissue response monitoring for IASTM. Expands treatment options for fibrotic and scar tissue presentations.

Lesson 3 • Palpation Skills and Tissue Assessment

Develops tactile discrimination for tissue texture, tone, and temperature differences. Accurate palpation is the prerequisite skill for all soft tissue interventions.

Lesson 4 • Myofascial Release Principles and Techniques

Explains fascial anatomy, tensegrity models, and sustained pressure application. Teaches direct and indirect release methods for common fascial restrictions.

Lesson 1 • Hip and Knee Mobilization

Teaches traction, glide, and rotation techniques for the hip and tibiofemoral joints. Addresses mobility deficits common after arthroplasty, ligament repair, and immobilization.

Lesson 2 • Ankle and Foot Mobilization

Covers talocrural, subtalar, and midfoot mobilization for dorsiflexion and pronation deficits. Restores foot mechanics essential for gait and lower extremity kinetic chain function.

Lesson 3 • Joint Mobilization Theory and Grading

Presents Maitland grades I–IV, Kaltenborn grades I–III, and their physiological rationale. Establishes the conceptual framework for all peripheral joint mobilization techniques.

Lesson 4 • Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Mobilization

Applies joint mobilization to the distal upper extremity with attention to small joint precision. Restores functional grip and forearm rotation in post-injury and post-surgical patients.

Lesson 1 • Lumbar Spine Mobilization and Manipulation

Teaches central and unilateral posteroanterior pressures, rotation mobilization, and lumbar HVLA. Addresses the most prevalent spinal condition in orthopedic manual therapy practice.

Lesson 2 • Spinal Anatomy and Biomechanics

Reviews vertebral segment anatomy, facet joint orientation, and coupled spinal motion. Provides the structural basis for selecting and directing spinal manual therapy techniques.

Lesson 3 • Thoracic Spine Mobilization and Manipulation

Covers prone PA pressures, seated rotation, and supine thoracic HVLA techniques. Restores thoracic mobility to reduce compensatory cervical and lumbar loading.

Lesson 4 • Sacroiliac and Pelvic Techniques

Examines sacroiliac joint assessment and targeted mobilization for pelvic girdle dysfunction. Integrates pelvic techniques with lumbar and hip treatment for comprehensive regional management.

Lesson 1 • Lumbar and Thoracic HVLA Techniques

Teaches side-lying lumbar roll, prone thoracic drop, and seated thoracic techniques with precise setup. Develops force control and timing essential for effective thrust delivery.

Lesson 2 • Manipulation Theory and Mechanisms

Explains neurophysiological, mechanical, and placebo mechanisms underlying HVLA manipulation. Provides the scientific rationale for technique selection and expected clinical outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Peripheral Joint Manipulation

Applies HVLA thrust to extremity joints including the shoulder, wrist, and ankle. Expands manipulation competency beyond the spine to address peripheral joint hypomobility.

Lesson 4 • Cervical HVLA Techniques

Covers supine cervical rotation and lateral glide thrust techniques with strict safety protocols. Addresses the highest-risk region in spinal manipulation with structured competency checkpoints.

Lesson 1 • Pain Neuroscience Education

Teaches clinicians to deliver pain neuroscience education to reduce fear-avoidance and catastrophizing. Enhances manual therapy outcomes by addressing cognitive and behavioral pain drivers.

Lesson 2 • Therapeutic Exercise Prescription

Covers resistance, endurance, and flexibility exercise parameters for orthopedic rehabilitation. Matches exercise dosage to tissue healing stage and patient functional level.

Lesson 3 • Proprioception and Balance Training

Trains joint position sense, dynamic balance, and reactive neuromuscular control. Reduces reinjury risk by restoring sensorimotor function after joint injury or surgery.

Lesson 4 • Functional Movement and Return to Activity

Applies functional movement screening and task-specific training to guide return-to-activity decisions. Ensures patients meet objective criteria before resuming occupational or sport demands.

Lesson 1 • Foot, Ankle, and Lower Leg Conditions

Manages plantar fasciitis, ankle instability, Achilles tendinopathy, and tibial stress syndromes. Restores foot and ankle mechanics through targeted manual therapy and loading strategies.

Lesson 2 • Hip and Knee Conditions

Addresses hip osteoarthritis, femoroacetabular impingement, patellofemoral pain, and knee OA. Combines joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and progressive loading for lower extremity conditions.

Lesson 3 • Lumbar Spine and Pelvis Management

Applies treatment-based classification to acute and chronic low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. Matches manual therapy and exercise interventions to patient subgroup characteristics.

Lesson 4 • Cervical Spine and Headache Management

Addresses cervicogenic headache, neck pain, and radiculopathy with combined manual and exercise approaches. Applies cervical techniques within a comprehensive, evidence-based management framework.