Advanced Manual Therapy Concepts for the Spine

Many of us are taught there is a single best approach to treat the spine. However, we know every patient responds differently to treatment techniques. After this course, you’ll have an entire toolbox you can utilize to find out what works best for each spine patient! This course is advanced in that it covers eclectic concepts and multiple different spinal treatment approaches, including MET, PA’s, coupled/non-coupled mobilizations, as well as combining mobilizations with movement for all components of the spine: cervical spine, thoracic spine, ribs, lumbar spine and pelvis.

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! Intended participants are Physical Therapists who have a good understanding of at least one spinal treatment approach.

Dates and Locations

Saturday – Sunday

February 22-23, 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: Robert Bunnell

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

February 22-23, 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: Robert Bunnell

$600.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

April 5-6, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Saint Alphonsus – McCleary Auditorium

1055 N. Curtis Rd
Boise, ID 83706

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

Instructor: Robert Bunnell

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

September 13-14, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Synergy Health Partners

35735 Mound Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48310

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

Instructor: Robert Bunnell

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

October 11-12, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Reform Physical Therapy of Kennebunk

169 Port Road, Suite 1
Kennebunk, ME 04043

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

Instructor: Robert Bunnell

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

October 25-26, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

CAO – MMI Division

161 Thomas Johnson Dr, Ste 100
Frederick, MD 21702

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

Instructor: Robert Bunnell

$650.00 incl. Tax

Saturday – Sunday

December 6-7, 2025

2 days, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Presbyterian Healthplex

6301 Forest Hills Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109

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

Instructor: Robert Bunnell

$650.00 incl. Tax

Course Objectives

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

Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with muscle energy technique
Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with PA technique
Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with coupled/non-coupled technique
Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with mobilizations while moving technique
Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the cervical spine

Course Objectives

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

Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with muscle energy technique
Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with PA technique
Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with coupled/non-coupled technique
Correctly and independently state the premise mobilizations with mobilizations while moving technique
Correctly and independently identify and palpate three specific spinal levels the cervical spine

Course Outline

Saturday

7:30am

Doors Open

8:00am

Lecture: Introduction – Overview of Mobilizations vs Manipulations

8:30am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Cervical Spine

10:30am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Thoracic Spine

11:00am

Lecture: Key Concepts – Lumbar and Sacral Spine

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab – Cervical Spine

4:30pm

Review Questions and Self-Assessment

5:30pm

Adjourn

Sunday

7:30am

Doors Open

8:00am

Review Questions

8:30am

Lab – Thoracic Spine

10:45am

Lab – Lumbar Spine

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab – Sacral and Pelvic

3:15pm

Review and Critique of Skill in Mobilization of Each Area

4:45pm

Questions, Post-Test and Course Evaluation

5:00pm

Adjourn

State CEU Approvals

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

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

Robert Bunnell

DPT, MED, CSCS, CIMT

Robert earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University in 2010, where he also obtained his start in the health and wellness industry as a personal trainer. He went on to earn his CSCS through the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2013 well as his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Cleveland State University in 2015. Robert ultimately earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018 from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY and has been a Certified Integrative Manual Therapist (CIMT) through Great Lakes Seminars since 2019.

He is currently the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic, treating a variety of orthopedic and neurological dysfunctions with specialization in post-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation as well as sport populations. Robert employs a diverse treatment approach utilizing a combination of joint mobilization techniques, muscle energy and myofascial release. He joined the Great Lakes Seminars team in 2022 after taking a number of the GLS courses and experiencing the effectiveness of these techniques with his patients. He continues to expand his knowledge in manual therapy through teaching and continuing education courses.

What Attendees Are Saying

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I liked the hands on instruction and demonstration of all techniques with variations shown depending on different body types/mechanics.

Toms River, NJ

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I liked the pace of course, and re-visiting concepts multiple times to understand the concepts in more depth and how it relates to different parts of the spine.

Washington DC

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Instructor was very clear and made sure everyone was on the same page with minimal confusion throughout whole course. The techniques were not only performed but given scenarios on when to utilize.

Toms River, NJ

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I thought it was an excellent course with techniques I will use and have used already. Also, I built on my knowledge of cervical mechanics and how to figure out what to do for what I see in the patient.

Norfolk, VA

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