Certificate Program
Person-Centered Manual Therapy: A Modern and Evidence-Based Approach
Elevate your clinical practice with a patient-centered framework incorporating contemporary evidence for manual therapy assessment and treatment.
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About this Certificate Program
The Person-Centered Manual Therapy series equips learners of all levels with a comprehensive, evidence based approach to manual therapy, driving superior clinical outcomes and stronger therapeutic alliance. By grounding the curriculum in a patientcentered, evidence informed framework and removing outdated, unsupported theories, learners will develop crucial psychomotor and clinical reasoning skills to deliver effective assessment, and management by integrating manual therapy, exercise, and movement.
Target audience
The course focuses on Physical Therapy applications, but has applications (within appropriate scopes of practice) for Athletic Trainers and Occupational Therapists. The course will be beneficial for any individuals who are looking to improve their skill-set in managing patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Goals & objectives
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Compare and contrast the clinical and cost-effectiveness literature involving the use of manual therapy to treat individuals with musculoskeletal conditions
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Recognize the key tenants of a person-centered manual therapy model including assessment and treatment
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Describe elements of a comprehensive physical examination relevant to proceeding with manual therapy care
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Identify evidence-based manual therapy interventions and their appropriate utility in orthopaedic manual therapy practice
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Identify manual therapy assessment and intervention techniques for the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, pelvis, hip, knee foot and ankle
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Construct knowledge of appropriate home exercises to augment manual therapy-based techniques that are provided in the clinic
What’s included in the Certificate Program
Accredited Online Courses*
19 hours of online video lectures and patient demonstrations.
Interactive Learning Assessments
Case-based quizzes to evaluate and improve clinical reasoning.
Hands-On Practice Packets
Skills checklist to practice hands-on components of coursework.
Certificate Program overview
Section 1
Evidence-Based Manual Therapy 4 ItemsIntroduction to Evidence-Based Manual Therapy Course
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Manual Therapy Course Series
The goal of this chapter is to frame the expectations for the course series. The authors will outline their backgrounds, training, philosophy of management, and expectations for the learners of this course series.
Chapter 2: History of Manual Therapy
The goal of this chapter is to show the evolution of manual therapy as a treatment philosophy and to explore how science/evidence has reshaped many of the concepts and the understanding of what happens in an OMT approach.
Chapter 3: An Operational Definition of Orthopedic Manual Therapy
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate the problems that are present with OMT terminology. The speaker will outline how we will define OMT throughout the course series and will include supplemental learning material that provides each learner with the common definitions for OMT procedures.
Chapter 4: Manual Therapy Myths
The goal of this chapter is to outline the most prevalent myths associated with manual therapy that are still perpetuated today. The speaker will address myths associated with examination and intervention principles and mechanisms.
Chapter 5: Manual Therapy Interventions
The goal of this chapter is to provide the types of interventions we will use within the course series and discuss how these are applied in patient care. A demonstration of these techniques will occur.
Chapter 6: Naming of Manual Therapy Techniques
The goal of this chapter is to introduce the learner to the naming conventions associated with manual therapy techniques to properly communicate and document procedures. Learners will understand typical techniques and how modifications in these techniques are used to alter the treatment response.
Chapter 7: Grading of Manual Therapy Techniques
The goal of this chapter is to discuss the two most common frameworks for applying force-based mobilization and manipulation. Learners will understand the theory behind the grading systems but will also recognize their value in documentation and communication among practitioners.
Evidence in Support of Manual Therapy Course
Chapter 1: What Is Evidence?
The goal of this chapter is to define how evidence is described in the literature and to report on the hierarchy of evidence that is used to make clinical decisions.
Chapter 2: Mechanisms of Manual Therapy
Mechanisms are how an intervention works, and they are typically reported at a physiological or psychological level. This chapter outlines the three primary mechanisms associated with manual therapy and discusses the evidence in support of them.
Chapter 3: Clinical Outcomes and Manual Therapy
The goal of this chapter is to outline some of the evidence that has been published that supports the use of manual therapy with other interventions or by itself. The chapter will discuss the strength of the evidence and will report gaps in information.
Chapter 4: Cost-Related Outcomes and Manual Therapy
The goal of this chapter is to outline the current state of cost-effectiveness research and manual therapy. The chapter will define cost-effectiveness and discuss the several ways it is measured.
Chapter 5: What Does Evidence-Based Manual Therapy Look Like?
The goal of this chapter is to describe the suggested practice profile of evidence-based manual therapy and to support the finding with published literature.
Chapter 6: How Can I Get Carryover Effects for My Patients?
The goal of this chapter is to describe how to foster longer-term effects after the short-term use of manual therapy. This includes the use of augmented home exercise approaches.
Identifying Candidates for Manual Therapy Care Course
Chapter 1: Manual Therapy Safety: Absolute and Relative Contraindications
The goal of this chapter is to outline absolute and relative contraindications for treating patients with a manual therapy approach. The instructor will list and describe indications and contraindications and discuss differences between absolute and relative contraindications so learners are equipped to identify suitable patients.
Chapter 2: Screening Tools and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
The goal of this chapter is to identify and describe screening tools and patient-reported outcome measures to assist in identifying patients appropriate for manual therapy care. Learners will become familiar with evidence-based tools that should be utilized in clinical practice to assist with screening patients and tracking outcomes.
Chapter 3: Influences on Patient Prognosis
The goal of this chapter is to define and describe various influences on patient management. It is important for the learner to consider how contextual factors, including social and psychological factors, influence patient prognosis and management. The instructor will define social determinants of health and describe how the learner may use this information to make patient management decisions.
Chapter 4: How Pain Mechanisms Influence Care
The goal of this chapter is to increase learner familiarity with pain phenotyping using the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) model. The instructor will describe differences between phenotypes and draw from clinical experience to provide examples of how pain behaviors influence management decisions.
Chapter 5: Screening Procedures for Manual Therapy Appropriateness
The goal of this chapter is to discuss and demonstrate screening procedures to provide the learner with the tools needed to identify patients appropriate for manual therapy care. Learners will understand how to use observation to screen patients and will appreciate differences between a review of systems and systems review. The instructor will demonstrate an example of a musculoskeletal screen utilized prior to proceeding with a full examination.
Chapter 6: Why Within-Session Change Matters
The goal of this chapter is to introduce the learner to the concept of within-session change as a tenet of manual therapy care. Learners will understand how to use a concordant sign and functional task, and the instructor will demonstrate how these are used clinically to determine treatment response.
The Patient Interview and Physical Examination Course
Chapter 1: Elements of the Interview
The goal of this chapter is to describe the essential elements of the patient interview and highlight goals of the interview when treating patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Chapter 2: Themes of the Patient Interview
The goal of this chapter is to outline a suggested approach to the patient interview using three themes to organize information relevant to taking a complete history, which will inform the patient plan of care.
Chapter 3: The Therapeutic Alliance and Shared Decision-Making
The goal of this chapter is to introduce the learner to motivational interviewing concepts and enhance patient engagement and participation in the patient encounter. Further, this chapter will highlight communication strategies to promote shared decision-making to support the therapeutic alliance between patient and provider.
Chapter 4: Elements of the Patient Examination
The goal of this chapter is to discuss what the learner needs to consider when approaching the patient examination. Further, the chapter will highlight the key elements of the patient examination and demonstrate their performance.
Chapter 5: Executing the Patient Examination and Interpreting Findings
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate performance of key elements of the patient examination and discuss the interpretation of findings.
Chapter 6: Developing a Plan-of-Care Approach
The goal of this chapter is to describe how to synthesize examination information to develop a plan of care approach, including manual therapy interventions.
Section 2
Manual Therapy Applications by Body Region 5 ItemsManual Therapy of the Cervical Spine Course
Chapter 1: General Considerations With Cervical Management
The goal of this chapter is to outline relevant anatomy and to identify the unique considerations when treating the cervical spine.
Chapter 2: Review of the Evidence for OMT in the Cervical Spine
The goal of this chapter is to outline the current evidence for clinical outcomes and cost-related outcomes when using OMT for the cervical spine
Chapter 3: The Movement Examination
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a typical OMT examination, including its three main features of active physiological movements, passive physiological movements, and passive accessory movements.
Chapter 4: Decision-Making/Clinical Reasoning
The goal of this chapter is to discuss the key considerations when decision-making after performing the clinical examination.
Chapter 5: Manual Therapy Application
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate different forms of manual therapy techniques at the neck, including pre-positioning techniques.
Chapter 6: The Use of Augmented Home Exercises
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a number of different forms of augmented home exercises that provide a carryover effect for manual therapy.
Manual Therapy of the Thoracic Spine Course
Chapter 1: General Considerations With Thoracic Management
The goal of this chapter is to outline relevant anatomy and to identify the unique considerations when treating the thoracic spine.
Chapter 2: Review of the Evidence for OMT in the Thoracic Spine
The goal of this chapter is to outline the current evidence for clinical outcomes and cost-related outcomes when using OMT for the thoracic spine, including a regional interdependence approach.
Chapter 3: The Movement Examination
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a typical OMT examination, including its three main features of active physiological movements, passive physiological movements, and passive accessory movements.
Chapter 4: Decision-Making and Clinical Reasoning
The goal of this chapter is to discuss the key considerations when making decisions after performing the clinical examination.
Chapter 5: Manual Therapy Application
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate different forms of manual therapy techniques at the thoracic spine, including thrust and nonthrust techniques.
Chapter 6: The Use of Augmented Home Exercises
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a number of different forms of augmented home exercises that complement manual therapy techniques.
Manual Therapy of the Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Course
Chapter 1: General Considerations With Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Management
The goal of this chapter is to outline relevant anatomy and to identify the unique considerations when treating the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Chapter 2: Review of the Evidence for OMT in the Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand
The goal of this chapter is to outline the current evidence for clinical outcomes and cost-related outcomes when using OMT for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Chapter 3: The Movement Examination
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a typical OMT examination, including the three main features associated with active physiological movements, passive physiological movements, and passive accessory movements.
Chapter 4: Decision-Making and Clinical Reasoning
The goal of this chapter is to discuss the key considerations when decision-making after performing the clinical examination.
Chapter 5: Manual Therapy Application
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate different forms of manual therapy techniques at the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, including pre-positioning techniques.
Chapter 6: The Use of Augmented Home Exercises
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a number of different forms of augmented home exercises that provide a carryover effect for manual therapy.
Manual Therapy of the Lumbar Spine, Pelvis, and Hip Course
Chapter 1: General Considerations With Lumbar Spine, Pelvis, and Hip Management
The goal of this chapter is to outline relevant anatomy and identify the unique considerations for treating the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip region.
Chapter 2: Review of the Evidence for OMT in the Lumbar Spine, Pelvis, and Hip
The goal of this chapter is to outline the current evidence for examination, intervention techniques, clinical outcomes, and cost-related outcomes of using OMT for the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip region.
Chapter 3: The Movement Examination
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a typical OMT examination, including the three main features associated with (1) active physiological movements, (2) passive physiological movements, and (3) passive accessory movements. This chapter will also cover relevant clinical tests to consider.
Chapter 4: Decision-Making and Clinical Reasoning
The goal of this chapter is to discuss the key considerations for decision-making after performing the clinical examination.
Chapter 5: Manual Therapy Application
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate different forms of manual therapy techniques at the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip region.
Chapter 6: The Use of Augmented Home Exercises
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate several different forms of augmented home exercises that provide a complement to manual therapy techniques.
Manual Therapy of the Knee, Foot, and Ankle Course
Chapter 1: General Considerations With Knee, Ankle, and Foot Management
The goal of this chapter is to outline relevant anatomy and to identify the unique considerations for treating the knee, ankle, and foot.
Chapter 2: Review of the Evidence for OMT in the Knee, Ankle, and Foot Spine
The goal of this chapter is to outline the current evidence for clinical outcomes and cost-related outcomes of using OMT for the knee, ankle, and foot.
Chapter 3: The Movement Examination
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a typical OMT examination, including the three main features associated with (1) active physiological movements, (2) passive physiological movements, and (3) passive accessory movements.
Chapter 4: Decision-Making and Clinical Reasoning
The goal of this chapter is to discuss the key considerations for decision-making after performing the clinical examination.
Chapter 5: Manual Therapy Application
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate different forms of manual therapy techniques at the knee, ankle, and foot, including pre-positioning techniques.
Chapter 6: The Use of Augmented Home Exercises
The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate a number of different forms of augmented home exercises that provide a carryover effect for manual therapy.
Section 3
Clinical Reasoning and Case-based Examples 1 ItemManual Therapy and Musculoskeletal Management: Case-Based Examples Course
Chapter 1: Clinical Reasoning and Case-Based Learning
The presenter will discuss key components of clinical reasoning processes and outline methods for use in a manual therapy context.
Chapter 2: Manual Therapy of the Upper Quarter: A Case Example
The goal of this chapter is to outline a differential assessment and treatment for an upper quarter–related problem.
Chapter 3: Manual Therapy of the Lower Quarter: A Case Example
The goal of this chapter is to outline a differential assessment and treatment for a lower quarter–related problem.
Chapter 4: Tips, Suggestions, and a General Summary
The presenters will outline best evidence and practice tips for improving one’s manual therapy evaluation and treatment skills.
Section 4
Resources 15 ItemsPerson-Centered Manual Therapy Practice Checklist File
American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Text And Links
The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated Text And Links
The Duke Center of Excellence in Manual and Manipulative Therapy Text And Links
ForceNET Text And Links
Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Text And Links
The Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy Text And Links
The New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association Text And Links
Belgium Special Interest Group for Manual Therapy Text And Links
The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy Text And Links
Chiropractic and Manual Therapies (journal) Text And Links
PubMed Text And Links
PubMed Central (free/open access articles) Text And Links
Physiotherapy Evidence Database Text And Links
NIH National Center of Complimentary and Integrated Health Text And Links
Instructors
Chad Cook
PT, PhD, MBA, FAPTA, FAAOMPT
Amy McDevitt
PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT
CEU approved
19
total hours*
of accredited coursework.
Medbridge accredits each course individually so you can earn CEUs as you progress.
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Browse PlansFrequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Certificate Programs.
Accreditation Hours
Each course is individually accredited and exact hours will vary by state and discipline. Check each course for specific accreditation for your license.
When do I get my certificate?
You will receive accredited certificates of completion for each course as you complete them. Once you have completed the entire Certificate Program you will receive your certificate for the program.
Do I get CEU credit?
Each course is individually accredited. Please check each course for your state and discipline. You can receive CEU credit after each course is completed.
Do I have to complete the courses in order?
It is not required that you complete the courses in order. Each Certificate Program's content is built to be completed sequentially but it is not forced to be completed this way.
How long do I have access to the Certificate Program?
You will have access to this Certificate Program for as long as you are a subscriber. Your initial subscription will last for one year from the date you purchase.
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