Physical Therapy Weekend Lab Courses

Don’t Let Neck Pain be a Pain in your Neck!

Location: 
Advance Rehabilitation
1254 Andrews Ave.
Ozark, AL 36360

Date:  February 8-9, 2025

Cost: $499.00

Who is this course for? This course is open to Bellin College Fellowship students, Bellin College partners as well as all licensed physical therapists.

REGISTER:  Don’t Let Neck Pain be a Pain in your Neck!

Questions?

Please contact physicaltherapy@bellincollege.edu, or Ann at (920) 433-6628.

Course Description: The goal of this lab-based course is to refine one’s skill with evidence-based evaluative and treatment techniques that can be utilized for those presenting with common conditions of the cervicothoracic region. This in-person laboratory experience will utilize a person centered, integrative and evidenced informed approach to foster one’s clinical reasoning and decision making through discussion based and hands-on laboratory experiences. The use of a person-centered framework, a hands-on examination, individualized evaluation, and the integration of manual physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, and education will be emphasized. A guideline-based process will also be highlighted within an autonomous, collaborative, person-centered, and integrative framework.

Appropriate Dress: Lab attire that allows for the ability to assess and treat the neck and thoracic spine.

Objectives:
At the end of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Recognize signs and symptoms of common cervicothoracic disorders.
• Demonstrate assessment strategies for common neck disorders.
• Apply evidence-informed treatment strategies for common neck disorders.
• Synthesize clinical information to guide clinical reasoning when treating a person with neck pain.

Contact Hours: 16 hours

Note: Participants will be responsible for submitting proof of attendance for CEU verification. Bellin College will be seeking CEU verification for this course.

Schedule:

DAY 1

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Patient Case 1: Neck Pain w/Mobility Deficits

• 8:10 – 8:30 a.m. – Structuring the Subjective
• 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – Assessment for Mobility Deficits
• 10:00 a.m. – Noon – Treatment of Mobility Deficits

LUNCH      

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Patient Case 2: Neck Pain w/ Radiating Pain

• 1:00 – 1:20 p.m. – Structuring the Subjective
• 1:20 – 3:00 p.m. – Assessment of Radiating Pain
• 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Treatment for Neck Pain w/ Radiating Pain
• 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Round Robin Activities

DAY 2

8:00 – 8:15 a.m. – Q&A from Day 1

8:15 a.m. – Noon – Patient Case 3: Persistent Neck Pain

• 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Subjective needs for persistent neck pain
• 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Assessment for persistent neck pain
• 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. – Treatment for persistent neck pain
• 11:45 a.m. – Noon – Plan of Care Discussion

LUNCH

1:00-5:00 p.m. – Patient Case 4: Neck Pain with Movement Coordination Deficits

• 1:00-1:15 p.m. – Structuring the Subjective
• 1:15-2:00 p.m. – Assessment for Movement Coordination Deficits
• 2:00-3:30 p.m. – Treatment of Movement Coordination Deficits
• 3:30-5:00 p.m. – Round Robin Practice/Discussion/Q&A

Course Instructor Bio:

Christian Margeson: After graduating from the University of New England in 1993 with a BS in Physical Therapy, I practiced in Northern Maine at Cary Medical Center.  While there, my primary responsibilities were outpatient care but I also obtained experience in acute care, nursing home care, home health and pediatrics. My family and I relocated to Alabama in 1998. I worked for HealthSouth for two years again primarily doing outpatient care with some inpatient rehab care. I then worked for an orthopaedic group for several years as a clinician and as a director. In 2007, I partnered with Advance Rehabilitation and opened an outpatient clinic in Ozark, AL where I am still practicing full time. In addition to patient care, I am actively involved in mentoring newer clinicians in my clinic and virtually with other Advance Rehabilitation clinics.

I am a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) and am credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (cert. MDT). In January of 2023, I graduated from Bellin’s OMPT Fellowship program and became a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT). As I completed my fellowship curriculum, I also completed the necessary coursework for my post-professional DPT degree through EIM. Like many of you (I imagine) I went into fellowship to enhance my manual therapy assessment and treatment skills to better treat patients. While this certainly did happen, my most valuable learning occurred with my clinical reasoning and communication skills.  This is really the heart of fellowship. Throughout fellowship, I developed a passion for teaching and developing clinical skills and reasoning in our profession.  I am very excited to now become part of your fellowship journey through this class.   

Outside of the clinic, I am married and have three grown children and two grandchildren. I enjoy an active lifestyle and have completed three Ironman Triathlons and multiple marathons. I also enjoy traveling, hiking and cooking.

Register for:  Don’t Let Neck Pain be a Pain in your Neck!

Management for Common Conditions of the Upper Extremity Management

Location: 
RET Physical Therapy and Healthcare Specialists- Woodinville
14229 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd
STE #025
Woodinville, WA 98072

Date: April 26-27, 2025

Cost: $499.00

Who is this course for? This course is open to Bellin College Fellowship students, Bellin College partners as well as all licensed physical therapists.

REGISTER:  Management for Common Conditions of the Upper Extremity Management

Questions?

Please contact physicaltherapy@bellincollege.edu, or Ann at (920) 433-6628.

Course Description: It is not lost on you that it is common to treat individuals with common upper extremity conditions such as rotator cuff related shoulder pain, shoulder laxity, and tendinopathies at the elbow and wrist, but are you following a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach? The goal of this lab-based course is to review evidence-based evaluative and treatment techniques that can be utilized for those presenting with common conditions of the upper extremity. Learners will learn how to differentiate the pain mechanisms involved with these conditions as well as determine if the cervical spine is contributing to upper extremity symptoms. The course will focus on an evaluation and intervention approach grounded in a biopsychosocial and signs and symptoms reasoning model using manual therapy and exercise to empower people to reach their goals.

Appropriate Dress:  Lab attire that allows for the ability to assess and treat the upper extremity, neck and thoracic spine.

Objectives: 
At the end of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Recognize signs and symptoms of common upper extremity disorders.
• Demonstrate assessment strategies for common upper extremity disorders.
• Apply evidence-informed treatment strategies for common upper extremity disorders.
• Synthesize clinical information to guide clinical reasoning when treating a person with upper extremity conditions.

Contact Hours: 16 hours

Note: Participants will be responsible for submitting proof of attendance for CEU verification. Bellin College will be seeking CEU verification for this course.

Schedule:

Day 1

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. – Registration
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Clinical Reasoning Overview
9:00 a.m. – Noon – Shoulder Examination and Intervention

Noon – 1 p.m. – Break

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Shoulder Intervention (Exercise/Manual)
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Round Robin I, Wrap up, Discussion, Q&A

Day 2:

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Round Robin II
9:00 – Noon – Elbow Examination and Intervention

Noon -1 p.m. – Break

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Wrist/Hand Examination and Intervention
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Round Robin III, Wrap up, Discussion

Course Instructor Bio:

Zachary Kovacevic PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT: Zachary Kovacevic earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Bradley University. Prior to that, Zachary obtained his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Bradley University. Zachary specializes in orthopaedics and is most interested in treating spine pain. He enjoys mentoring residents and learners with an emphasis on clinical reasoning and promoting accuracy in the examination and treatment. In his free time, Zachary enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife, Danielle, exploring various Texas eateries and breweries, and enjoying the outdoors with his close family and friends.

REGISTER:  Management for Common Conditions of the Upper Extremity Management

Advanced Lower Quarter Techniques

Location: 
Bellin College – Michael Van Asten Campus
2620 Development Dr.
Green Bay, WI 54311

Date: July 19-20, 2025

Cost: $499

Who is this course for? This course is open to Bellin College Fellowship students, Bellin College partners as well as all licensed physical therapists.

REGISTER: Advanced Lower Quarter Techniques

Questions?

Please contact physicaltherapy@bellincollege.edu, or Ann at (920) 433-6628.

Course Description:  This two day onsite laboratory course is focused on the advanced examination / interventions targeting the lower quarter, including mechanical diagnosis and therapy concepts, adverse neural dynamics, mobilization/manipulation techniques, and manual resisted exercise. The course will include discussion on optimizing the patient history, key differentiation testing to use in the physical exam, and strategies to select optimal intervention procedures.

Appropriate Dress:  Lab attire that allows for the ability to perform lifting movements of the lower extremities and trunk.

Objectives: 
Upon completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the selection of lower quarter manual therapy techniques or integrated exercise using clinical reasoning and application of current best evidence.
• Performed selected manipulation and mobilization techniques in patients with lower quarter pain or dysfunction.
• Performed advanced lower quarter techniques with growing expertise, including mechanical diagnosis and therapy concepts, adverse neural dynamics, mobilization/manipulation techniques, and manual resisted exercise.
• Demonstrated ideal progression of exercise with increasing demands on the patient with lower quarter symptoms and conditions.
• Discuss evidence-informed communication strategies that enhance clinical-decision making processes in those with lower quarter presentations.

Contact Hours: 20 hours

Note: Participants will be responsible for submitting proof of attendance for CEU verification. Bellin College will not be seeking CEU verification for this course.

Course Instructor Bio:

Mark Shepherd: Mark H. Shepherd, PT, DPT, DSc, is an Associate Professor at Bellin College’s Department of Physical Therapy where he is the Program Director of the OMPT Fellowship Program and lead faculty for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program’s lifestyle medicine and pain sciences courses. Dr. Shepherd is both board certified in orthopaedics (OCS) and is fellowship trained in orthopaedic manual physical therapy (FAAOMPT). He continues to practice in clinical care in the state of Maryland through Johns Hopkins Health System.

REGISTER: Advanced Lower Quarter Techniques

Management of the Lumbar Spine

Location: 
Dickson Physical Therapy
321 Tilghman Road
STE 201
Salisbury, MD 21804

Date:  October 4-5, 2025

Cost: $499

Who is this course for? This course is open to Bellin College Fellowship students, Bellin College partners as well as all licensed physical therapists.

REGISTER: Management of the Lumbar Spine

Questions?

Please contact physicaltherapy@bellincollege.edu, or Ann at (920) 433-6628.

Course Description: The goal of this lab-based course is to refine one’s skill with evidence-based evaluative and treatment techniques that can be utilized for those presenting with common conditions of the lumbopelvic region. This in-person laboratory experience will utilize a person centered, integrative and evidenced informed approach to foster one’s clinical reasoning and decision making through discussion based and hands-on laboratory experiences. The use of a person-centered framework, a hands-on examination, individualized evaluation, and the integration of manual physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, and education will be emphasized. A guideline-based process will also be highlighted within an autonomous, collaborative, person-centered, and integrative framework.

Appropriate Dress: Lab attire that allows for the ability to assess and treat the lumbar spine and hip region.

Objectives: 
At the end of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Recognize signs and symptoms of common lumbopelvic disorders.
• Demonstrate assessment strategies for common lumbopelvic disorders including chronic low back pain.
• Apply evidence-informed treatment strategies for common lumbopelvic disorders including chronic low back pain.
• Synthesize clinical information to guide clinical reasoning when treating a person with lumbopelvic disorders including chronic low back pain.

Contact Hours:16 hours

Note: Participants will be responsible for submitting proof of attendance for CEU verification. Bellin College will be seeking CEU verification for this course.

Schedule
DAY 1

8:00-12:00      Patient Case 1 – Low Back Pain w/Mobility Deficits

• 8:10-8:30 a.m. – Structuring the Subjective
• 8:30-10:00 a.m. – Assessment for Mobility Deficits
• 10:00 a.m.- Noon – Treatment of Mobility Deficits

LUNCH         

1:00-5:00 p.m. – Patient Case 2 – Low Back Pain w/ Radiating Pain

• 1:00-1:20 p.m. – Structuring the Subjective
• 1:20-3:00 p.m. – Assessment of Radiating Pain
• 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Treatment for Low Back Pain w/ Radiating Pain
• 4:30-5:00 p.m. – Round Robin Activities

DAY 2

8:00 – 8:15 a.m. – Q&A from Day 1/Round Robin Practice
8:15 a.m. – Noon – Patient Case 3 – Persistent Low Back Pain

• 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Subjective needs for persistent low back pain
• 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Assessment for persistent low back pain
• 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. – Treatment for persistent low back pain
• 11:45 – Noon – Plan of Care Discussion

LUNCH

1:00-5:00 p.m. – Patient Case 4 – Low Back Pain with Movement Coordination Deficits

• 1:00 – 1:15 p.m. – Structuring the Subjective
• 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. – Assessment for Movement Coordination Deficits
• 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Treatment of Movement Coordination Deficits
• 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Round Robin Practice/Discussion/Q&A

Course Instructor Bio:

Mark Shepherd: Mark H. Shepherd, PT, DPT, DSc, is an Associate Professor at Bellin College’s Department of Physical Therapy where he is the Program Director of the OMPT Fellowship Program and lead faculty for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program’s lifestyle medicine and pain sciences courses. Dr. Shepherd is both board certified in orthopaedics (OCS) and is fellowship trained in orthopaedic manual physical therapy (FAAOMPT). He continues to practice in clinical care in the state of Maryland through Johns Hopkins Health System.

REGISTER: Management of the Lumbar Spine

Management for Common Conditions of the Lower Extremity

Location: 
Waits Physical Therapy
15905 S. 46th St., Ste. 140
Phoenix, AZ 85048

Date:  October 18-19, 2025

Cost: $499

Who is this course for? This course is open to Bellin College Fellowship students, Bellin College partners as well as all licensed physical therapists.

REGISTER: Management for Common Conditions of the Lower Extremity

Questions?

Please contact physicaltherapy@bellincollege.edu, or Ann at (920) 433-6628.

Course Description:  It is not lost on you that it is common to treat individuals with common lower extremity conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA), femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), tendinopathies at the knee, ankle, and foot, but are you following a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach? The goal of this lab-based course is to review evidence-based evaluative and treatment techniques that can be utilized for those presenting with common conditions of the lower extremity. Learners will learn how to differentiate the pain mechanisms involved with these conditions as well as determine if the lumbar spine is contributing to lower extremity symptoms. The course will focus on an evaluation and intervention approach grounded in a biopsychosocial and signs and symptoms reasoning model using manual therapy and exercise to empower people to reach their goals.

Appropriate Dress:  Lab attire that allows for the ability to perform lifting movements of the lower extremity and trunk.

Objectives: 
Upon completing this course, you’ll be able to:

1. Differentiate different common musculoskeletal conditions of the lower extremity including hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)/hip labral pathology, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and gluteal, hamstring, Achilles, and posterior tibialis tendinopathies.
2. Perform various evidence-informed evaluative techniques of the lumbopelvic and lower extremity region.
3. Perform various evidence-informed manual therapy techniques targeting the lower extremity.
4. Develop exercises that target strength and motor control performance.
5. Discuss a reasoning framework for the dosage of manual therapy and exercise in people with lower extremity conditions.

Contact Hours: 16 hours

Note: Participants will be responsible for submitting proof of attendance for CEU verification. Bellin College will be seeking CEU verification for this course.

Schedule:

Day 1

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. –  Registration

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.– Intake, History, Screening, Physical Exam
9:00 a.m. – Noon – Hip Examination and Intervention

Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Break

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Hip Intervention (Exercise/Manual)
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Round Robin I, Wrap up, Discussion, Q&A

Day 2:

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Round Robin II
9:00 a.m. – Noon – Lower quarter neural dynamics, knee examination

Noon -1:00 p.m. – Break

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Knee intervention, ankle/foot examination and intervention
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Round Robin III, Wrap up, Discussion

Course Instructor Bio:

Timothy Fearon: Timothy Fearon received his PT degree from The Ohio State University.  He completed the Musculoskeletal Sequence graduate program at Northwestern University. He completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University.  While doing extensive long term study with the Folsom Physical Therapy group he founded Phoenix Manual Therapy, which initially offered courses, based on the Nordic System of orthopaedic manual therapy. Phoenix Manual Therapy progressed to offering a long-term course frame for study of the Australian approach to orthopedic manual therapy and integration of Norwegian techniques. The natural evolution of working to bring patients to independence led the the merging of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to optimize the neurologic control of the musculoskeletal system.  The course has been running over the last 38 years.  He has participated as both a student and now lead instructor through out those years. 

He earned his Full Fellowship status in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy by the challenge process in 1999, he successfully renewed that status in 2010. He has been specializing in orthopedic manual therapy and spinal rehabilitation for the last 40 years.

Dr. Fearon is currently adjunct faculty at A.T. Still University where he teaches manual therapy concepts as well as clinical instruction for the residency program.  He has taught manual therapy courses across the country over the last 2 decades as well as fellowship instruction.

Tim lives with his prolific wife, Helene who continually pushes him to keep pace with her professionally. His daughter Madeline Rose and granddaughter Adelaide Rose Howe live in Salt Lake City with son-in-law Sean Howe the affable brilliant professor of theoretical math. His son Jack Francis lives in the valley of the sun with his wife Jenny and the irrepressible Jameson his grandson. 

REGISTER: Management for Common Conditions of the Lower Extremity