Seven Core Principles of Sports Manual Therapy

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Video Runtime: 95 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 26 Minutes

This course is designed to provide healthcare professionals, including athletic trainers and physical therapists, with a comprehensive framework for improving joint mobility, motor control, and athletic performance. This evidence-based course emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying arthrokinematics before osteokinematics, prioritizing normalization of joint axes, and addressing biomechanical and neurological influences on pain and performance. By integrating hands-on techniques with clinical reasoning, participants will refine their ability to assess and treat hypomobile and hypermobile joints, optimize movement patterns, and enhance patient outcomes. This course is ideal for clinicians working in sports, outpatient, and performance-oriented settings seeking to elevate their manual therapy skills.

Learning Objectives

Categorize joint impairments using sports manual therapy models to prioritize passive and active control of joint axes
Distinguish between manual therapy techniques for tissue repair, motor control, and pain management
Analyze the relationship between joint mobility and athletic performance using biomechanical and neurological frameworks
Determine appropriate manual therapy interventions based on clinical patterns of hypomobile and hypermobile joints

Course Series Overview

Meet your instructor

A person with spiky hair in a light suit and patterned tie stands indoors, representing modern hybrid care for medbridge.

Jim Rivard

Jim Rivard received his bachelor of science in physical therapy from the University of Puget Sound in 1988. He then completed four years of postgraduate residency and fellowship training at the Ola Grimsby Institute (OGI) and a chronic pain management certificate program at McGill University. Jim is the founder of MTI…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Sports Manual Therapy: Movement Starts With the Hinges

This chapter introduces the foundational principles of sports manual therapy, focusing on the effects of joint mobilization on pain inhibition, mobility, motor control, and performance. Participants will learn to integrate arthrokinematics before osteokinematics into their interventions, ensuring proper axis normalization for effective patient care. Practical examples highlight the importance of joint roll-and-glide mechanics in restoring physiological motion and resolving dysfunction.

2. Sports Manual Therapy Rules of Engagement

This chapter delves into the principles of joint positioning, force application, and mobilization techniques essential for effective manual therapy. Participants will explore the biomechanical and neurophysiological implications of open- and close-packed joint positions and how to integrate accessory and component joint motions to normalize mobility and motor control. Strategies to address common errors in passive and active manual therapy are discussed to refine clinical practice.

3. Neurophysiological Influences of Sports Manual Therapy

This chapter examines the role of mechanoreceptors in pain inhibition, mobility improvement, and performance enhancement. Participants will analyze the application of spinal manipulation techniques, exploring their effects on pain modulation, circulation, and motor control. Clinical strategies include using high-intensity afferents and dorsal horn inhibition to optimize outcomes for athletic and nonathletic populations.

More courses in this series

Rehab to Resilience: Transforming Sports Therapy Outcomes

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Tissue Repair Training in Rehabilitation and Athletic Performance

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