Mobilization of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine and Ribs

Many clinicians lack a structured approach to treat dysfunctions involving the neck, shoulders and upper thoracic spine, while often overlooking rib cage involvement. This course will give you a strong foundation to treat these areas as well as an understanding of where to look next if you’re not getting the desired outcome with your spine patients.

We make a complicated region of the body simple to diagnose and treat, giving you a wide array of treatment approaches to choose from that best fit your patients’ needs. Techniques include Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and direct articulations to the cervical and thoracic spine and ribs. All course material is evidence-based and every technique is repeated multiple times until you feel comfortable and confident. When you leave this class, you’ll walk away with a straightforward, yet comprehensive foundation for treatment of the neck, upper back and ribs.

As with all our manual therapy courses, this course is at least 75% hands-on lab, and will give you skills you can use immediately upon returning to the clinic.

Dates and Locations

Saturday – Sunday

January 25-26, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Select Medical Center – 51st St

11414 E 51st St
Tulsa, OK 74146

Approved for 16.5 CEUs in most states. Check state approval below.

Instructor: Karl Buche

$650.00 incl. Tax

Less than 10 Spots Remaining

Saturday – Sunday

April 12-23, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Physical Therapy Consultants

5466 St Croix Trail, Suite 107
North Branch, MN 55056

Approved for 16.5 CEUs in most states. Check state approval below.

Instructor: Karl Buche

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

May 17-18, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

3D Physical Therapy

496 Kings Hwy N, Suite 110
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Approved for 16.5 CEUs in most states. Check state approval below.

Instructor: Karl Buche

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

October 4-5, 2025

2 days, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST

Live Hybrid

Live online via Zoom

Approved for 16.5 CEUs in most states. Check state approval below.

Instructor: Karl Buche

$600.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

October 4-5, 2025

2 days, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Great Lakes Seminars

2768 Centennial Road
Toledo, OH 43617

Approved for 16.5 CEUs in most states. Check state approval below.

Instructor: Karl Buche

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

December 13-14, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Sentara Therapy Center Orthopedics and Sports Performance

6201 E Virginia Beach Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23502

Approved for 16.5 CEUs in most states. Check state approval below.

Instructor: Karl Buche

$650.00 incl. Tax

Course Objectives

At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:

Correctly describe the normal and abnormal biomechanics of the vertebrae in the upper cervical spine (OA, AA), lower cervical Spine (C2-7), thoracic spine (T1-I2) and ribs
Confidently describe 5 specific spinal and rib anatomical structures
Correctly describe the neurophysiological mechanism behind muscle energy technique (MET)
Correctly and confidently identify 3 key components necessary to administer proper MET
Through the discussion of relevant evidence based research, support the use of METs/mobilization and manipulations to the cervical and thoracic spine and ribs for specific diagnoses
Through the use of 3 varying case studies, correctly demonstrate a systematic approach for the treatment progression through the cervical and thoracic spine and rib complex
Demonstrate the appropriate force direction for 5 specific MET/mobilization and manipulations

Course Objectives

At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:

Correctly describe the normal and abnormal biomechanics of the vertebrae in the upper cervical spine (OA, AA), lower cervical Spine (C2-7), thoracic spine (T1-I2) and ribs
Confidently describe 5 specific spinal and rib anatomical structures
Correctly describe the neurophysiological mechanism behind muscle energy technique (MET)
Correctly and confidently identify 3 key components necessary to administer proper MET
Through the discussion of relevant evidence based research, support the use of METs/mobilization and manipulations to the cervical and thoracic spine and ribs for specific diagnoses
Through the use of 3 varying case studies, correctly demonstrate a systematic approach for the treatment progression through the cervical and thoracic spine and rib complex
Demonstrate the appropriate force direction for 5 specific MET/mobilization and manipulations

Course Outline

Saturday

7:30am

Doors Open

8:00am

Lecture: Overview of MET and Joint Articulations, Anatomy, Biomechanics, Spinal Kinematics, Types of Dysfunctions, Treatment Principles

10:30am

Lecture: Rib Dysfunctions

11:00am

Lab: Cervical-Thoracic Screening Tests

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab: Thoracic Spine: Type II Flexion and Extension Lesions

3:15pm

Lab: Thoracic Spine: Type I Neutral Spine Lesions

4:15pm

Lab: Cervical Spine: Type II Lesions

5:00pm

Review of Evidence-Based Literature for Today’s Topics

5:30pm

Adjourn

Sunday

7:30am

Doors Open

8:00am

Lab: Review of Type II Dysfunctions in Cervical and Thoracic Spine

8:45am

Lab: Upper Cervical Screening Tests, AA Jt Dysfunctions

10:15am

Lab: OA Jt Dysfunctions

11:15am

Structural Rib Dysfunctions

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab Continued: Structural Rib Dysfunctions

3:45pm

Case Studies/Speed Mobilizations

4:30pm

Review of Evidence-Based Literature for Today’s Topics

5:00pm

Adjourn

State CEU Approvals

Approved for 16.5 hours for PTs and PTAs: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN (16 hours in MN), MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY

Approved for 16 hours for OTs and OTAs: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IA, KS, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Approved for 16 Category A hours by the BOC for Athletic Trainers.

If you do not see your state listed above, please contact us at info@glseminars.com for more information.

Click here for the state and discipline approval list for all courses.

Course Instructors

Karl Buche

PT, DPT, CIMT, CIDN, TPS, OCS

Karl completed his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Michigan Technological University in 2012, then went on to graduate with his doctorate in physical therapy from Central Michigan University in 2016. He works at Probility Physical Therapy, which is based in southeast Michigan, and is the director of the Pinckney Clinic. After obtaining his CIMT credentials in 2019, he began teaching and assisting courses for GLS, with his main area of expertise being pain neuroscience. He believes in an eclectic treatment approach, including many styles of manual therapy, pain education, and individualized exercise. Karl cares deeply about the manner in which we communicate with our patients, and loves teaching others how to minimize nocebo effects during patient interactions. He lives in Chelsea, MI with his wife, Catherine, and puppy, Olive. He enjoys treating all orthopedic dysfunctions, and loves to incorporate breathwork into his practice.

What Attendees Are Saying

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I was apprehensive about the cervical spine before the course but after learning the various techniques that can be used for not only the cervical spine but the thoracic as well, I feel much more capable.

Raleigh, NC

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I can use the techniques starting Monday without confusion or difficulty. I feel better able to treat cervical dysfunctions after this course.

Shawnee, OK

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Organized, practical treatment approaches that I can implement immediately. Enough repetition and review to increase confidence in applying techniques when back in clinic.

Detroit, MI

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The course book is extremely well put together, which allows you to understand the techniques that were taught as well as be able to refer back to the pictures and diagrams for help. It was probably the best course I ever attended in terms of hands-on learning, the amount of repetition, and how we retested multiple times what we had learned.

Bridgewater, NJ

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Overall the course took a complex part o the body and broke it down into a manageable process to assess, treat and recheck.

Stoughton, WI

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This has been the best course that I have done so far being a physical therapist and applaud the instructors for sharing their knowledge and being attentive to questions and concerns while the class was learning new information/techniques. Thanks so much.

Bridgewater, NJ

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Mobilization of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine and Ribs

Dates and Locations

Saturday

Sunday

Course Instructors

Karl Buche

PT, DPT, CIMT, CIDN, TPS, OCS

What Attendees Are Saying

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