This course focuses on the comprehensive evaluation and management of the upper quarter. Clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, and evidence-based practice with a practical approach will be presented throughout the coursework. Eclectic and historical approaches will be incorporated into the course. The course will utilize thrust, non-thrust, soft tissue, and exercise techniques for the shoulder, elbow, wrist/ hand. This is a hands-on, lab-intensive course with supervised practice and case-based application.
Instructional Level: Beginners
Target Audience: PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs
Instructional Methods: Hands-on lab, lecture with Q&A, group discussion, patient cases, evidence review.
Course Completion Requirements: must attend the entire 2-day course and complete the post-course test
CEUs 16
CCUs 16
AOTA 1.6
Rationale:
The purpose of this course is to provide the participants with a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and management of the upper quarter shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Upon completion of this course, the participants will have an understanding of key concepts, pattern recognition, and intervention and be able to develop a comprehensive treatment approach.
Course Objectives
Demonstrate an understanding and clinical knowledge of the benefits, precautions, contraindications of manual therapy for the upper extremity
Apply current evidence in the application in the diagnosis and management of common pathologies
Perform a comprehensive upper quarter evaluation
Design a comprehensive and evidence-based treatment plan of care for patients with upper quarter dysfunction including appropriate intervention using joint mobilization, soft tissue, or exercise techniques
Demonstrate interventions including thrust, non-thrust, soft-tissue, neural mobilizations, PROM techniques, and exercise intervention for the upper quarter
Day 1
8:00-8:45 Introduction/ Manual Therapy
8:45-9:15 Anatomy/ Biomechanics Shoulder
9:15-10:00 Shoulder Examination (ROM, Flexibility) LAB
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-10:45 Common Clinical Patterns of the Shoulder
10:45-11:15 Special Tests (LAB)
11:15-12:00 Neurodynamics
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Upper Quarter Screening
2:00-3:00 Shoulder Mobilization
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-4:15 STM/ Exercise Techniques
4:15-5:00 Case Study
Day 2
8:00-8:30 Review/ Round Robin
8:30-9:15 Anatomy/ Biomechanics Elbow
9:15-10:00 Common Elbow Pathologies
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:00 Elbow Examination
11:00-12:00 Elbow Intervention
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:45 Anatomy/ Biomechanics Wrist
1:45-2:15 Common Wrist Pathologies
2:15-3:00 Wrist Examination
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-4:15 Wrist Intervention
4:15-5:00 Round Robin/ QA
- Temple Terrace, FL. August 23-24, 2025