Next Level Assessment and Treatment of the Cervical Spine and Shoulder
Enhance your differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning while improving your manual therapy and exercise intervention for the cervical spine and shoulder regions. Learners are guided through the subjective history to differentiate between classifications of neck and shoulder pain, physical examination procedures for the region, and targeted treatment techniques matching each diagnostic classification.
Please note there are several online modules to complete. Access is provided upon successful payment and registration.
24 CEU Hours
For PTs and PTAs
Hybrid Format
Online modules + in-person
Two 8-Hour Days
Hands-on instruction
All Skill Levels
Beginner through expert
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Recognize and identify potential red flag pathologies of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and upper quarter
- Accurately demonstrate AROM of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and shoulder with overpressures
- Classify a patient with neck pain into the appropriate category according to the Clinical Practice Guideline
- Defend the use or non-use of thrust manipulation of the cervical spine
- Perform the requisite psychomotor skills to manipulate the cervical spine and thoracic spine
- Demonstrate requisite psychomotor skills to perform mobilizations of the cervical, thoracic, and shoulder regions
- Contrast the use of neurodynamic sliders and tensioners for neural pathology
- Apply a proposed mechanism of shoulder pathology for various patient presentations
- Design an appropriate loading protocol for the treatment of shoulder tendinopathy
- Identify and perform the special tests with greatest psychometric properties for the cervical spine and shoulder
- Demonstrate understanding of these concepts through a 10-question assessment requiring a 70% score to pass
Course Agenda
Each day delivers 8 hours of lecture and hands-on lab, with scheduled breaks and lunch.
- 1Intro / Subjective / Red Flag Lecture
- 2Upper Quarter Screen & Safety Testing — Lecture and Lab
- 3CROM Lab and Lecture
- 4Neck CPG Mobility Deficits — Lecture and Lab
- 5Neck Pain with Headache — Lecture and Lab
- 6Neck Pain with Motor Control — Lecture and Lab
- 7Repeated Movements
- 8Neurodynamics — Lecture and Lab
- 9Thoracic Spine and TOS — Lecture and Lab
- 10Review and Wrap Up
- 1Cervical Screen / Shoulder CPG and Evidence Review
- 2Shoulder AROM Lab
- 3Shoulder Special Test Intro Discussion
- 4Sinister Pathology
- 5Shoulder Pain with Mobility Deficit — Lecture and Lab
- 6Shoulder Pain with Mobility Excess — Lecture and Lab
- 7Subacromial Pain Special Testing
- 8Tendinopathy and Exercise Prescription
- 9AC Joint — Lecture and Lab (Testing and Treatment)
- 10Return to Sport — Lecture and Lab
- 11Exercise Prescription Group Discussion
- 12TOS from the Shoulder Perspective
- 13Putting it Together
Required materials and equipment are provided upon access to the course.
CEU & Accreditation
Approved States
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, and WY
Approved for 24 CEUs in MA, RI, and all reciprocating states.
What if my state does not share reciprocity?
You can always submit for individual CEU approval through your state board or state physical therapy association. In most cases, your state physical therapy board is the approving authority and will allow individual approval at a low or even free rate. We provide all the materials and documentation you need to submit.
Disclaimer: All interventions and information should be used within the scope of practice as described by your state practice act.
Who Can Attend
While Next Level Training fosters an inclusive learning environment, the curriculum is designed specifically for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
- Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants (curriculum designed specifically for PT/PTA)
- Chiropractors (DCs), physicians (MD/DO), and other independent licensed healthcare providers
- DPT students enrolled in a U.S. program (discounted tuition rate available)
- Athletic trainers, where permitted within their state practice act
You are ultimately responsible for knowing and understanding your scope of practice and the limits of your state practice act, as well as your clinical decision making and the safe and proper use of all interventions and information.
Ready to Take the Next Level?
Register your interest now and we'll notify you as soon as pricing and upcoming course dates are confirmed.