Blog Archives

Lower Quarter Biomechanics Fellowship

The purpose of the Lower Quarter Biomechanics Fellowship at the Movement Performance Institute is to facilitate the training of physical therapists who wish to advance their knowledge in the area of clinical biomechanics.  This program offers advanced clinical training as well as hands-on mentoring in the area of movement analysis using state of the art technology. The Fellowship aims to improve graduates’ ability to systematically identify movement impairments that underlie various lower extremity diagnoses. This information is used to direct the clinical examination as well as develop targeted interventions to optimize biomechanical function and performance. The Fellowship emphasizes the practice dimension of diagnosis identified in the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP), in conjunction with the knowledge areas of biomechanics, evidence-based orthopaedic physical therapy practice, and critical inquiry to produce an expert diagnostician.

Inquiries about the fellowship program should be directed to Skulpan Asavasopon, Director of Clinical and Fellowship Education ([email protected])

Advancements in the Evaluation & Treatment of Knee Injuries:
Implications for Injury Prevention & Return to Sport

Christopher M. Powers, PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Dates

2025 Date TBD

Cost

$475

Overview

The knee is the most common site of lower extremity injury in persons who are physically active. More specifically, tears of the ACL and disorders of the patellofemoral joint are among the most common injuries seen by physical therapists. Despite the high number of knee injuries seen in orthopedic practice, evaluation and treatment programs remain highly variable and are often without scientific backing. The purpose of this course is to critically assess current approaches to the management of common knee disorders through review of research findings and practical clinical experience. Course participants will receive a thorough review of the clinical biomechanics of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint, as well as an overview of the entire lower kinetic chain as it relates to knee dysfunction. Emphasis will be placed on current research in the areas of injury biomechanics, treatment approaches and injury prevention strategies. Implications for return to sport decisions following knee injury/surgery will be addressed.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the influence of abnormal lower extremity mechanics on knee injury (with a special focus on patellofemoral dysfunction and ACL injury).
2. Describe the scientific and clinical rationale behind the development of an exercise program for the treatment of common tibiofemoral joint injuries.
3. Describe the scientific and clinical rationale behind the development of an exercise program for patellofemoral joint dysfunction.
4. Describe the scientific and clinical rationale behind the development of an exercise program to prevent ACL injury.
5. Describe a functional return sport testing & training program for persons who have undergone ACL reconstruction

Schedule

Day 1
8:00-8:30         Introduction
8:30-10:00       Abnormal mechanics & lower extremity injury: An overview
10:00-10:15     Break
10:15-12:00     Pathomechanics of tibiofemoral joint dysfunction
12:00-1:00       Lunch
1:00-3:00         Pathomechanics of patellofemoral joint dysfunction
3:00-3:15         Break
3:15-5:00         Functional evaluation of the knee & lower quarter (lecture & lab)

Day 2
8:00-10:00      Treatment strategies for lower limb dysfunction (lecture & lab)
10:00-10:15    Break
10:15-12:00    ACL Injury prevention programs & training (lecture & lab)
12:00-1:00      Lunch
1:00 – 3:00      Exercise prescription & progression for common knee injuries
3:00 – 3:15      Break
3:15 – 5:00      Exercise prescription & progression for common knee injuries (cont.)

Evaluation and Treatment of the Injured Runner: A Biomechanical Approach

Christopher M. Powers, PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Dates

2025 Date TBD

Cost

$475

Overview

Running is a demanding physical activity performed by millions of persons worldwide. Given the repetitive high-impact nature of running, many individuals who engage in this form of exercise experience pain or become injured. For the clinician, managing the injured runner can be challenging as the cause(s) of running injuries are often multifactorial. Furthermore, a thorough biomechanical evaluation is often necessary to determine underlying injury mechanism(s) in order to guide treatment decisions. This evidence-based course will address contemporary topics related to running mechanics, running-related injuries, and the rehabilitation of the injured runner.  The use of video analysis as an integral part of the running examination will be emphasized, and strategies to modify running mechanics will be addressed as part of a comprehensive approach to treatment. Case studies will be utilized to promote the integration of the material presented.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, the participant will be able to:
1)    Describe the biomechanics of running
2)    Describe current trends in running styles and footwear
3)    Perform a basic running evaluation using video methods
4)    Understand the biomechanical factors that underlie common running injuries
5)    Describe treatment approaches for common running injuries

Schedule

Day 1
8:00-8:30       Introduction
8:30-10:00     Biomechanics of Running
10:00-10:15   Break
10:15-12:00   Current trends in running styles & footwear
12:00-1:00     Lunch
1:00-3:00       Abnormal running mechanics
3:00-3:30       Break
3:30-5:00       Biomechanical causes of common running injuries

Day 2
8:00-10:00     Evaluation of the injured runner (lecture & lab)
10:00-10:30   Break
10:30-12:00   Evaluation of the injured runner (cont.)
12:00-1:00     Lunch
1:00-3:00       Treatment of the injured runner (lecture & lab)
3:00-3:15       Break
3:15-5:00       Patient cases

Fundamentals of Clinical Gait Analysis: A Step-by-Step Approach

Christopher M. Powers, PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Dates

2025 Date TBD

Cost

$475

Overview

Gait analysis is a fundamental aspect of physical therapist practice that is used to guide the development of the best possible intervention(s) for restoring optimal movement and function. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the fundamentals of normal and pathological gait. The use of observational and video analysis as an integral part of the gait examination will be emphasized. In addition, strategies to modify gait mechanics will be addressed as part of a comprehensive approach to treatment. Case studies will be utilized to promote the integration of the material presented.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, the participant will be able to:
1. Understand the role of gait analysis as a fundamental aspect of physical therapist practice.
2. Identify and define the phases, objectives and critical events of the gait cycle.
3. Describe the normal kinematics and kinetics of the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis during gait.
4. Identify gait deviations that contribute to common patient complaints.
5. Describe typical compensatory strategies in various patient populations.
6. Develop observational gait analysis skills
7. Perform a gait analysis using video methods and commercially available applications (iPad platform).
8. Develop sound intervention programs that address the root cause of gait related impairments.

Schedule

Day 1
8:00-8:30        Introduction to gait analysis
8:30-10:00      The gait cycle: basic functions, objectives & critical events
10:00-10:15    Break
10:15-12:00    Normal gait kinematics & objectives (sagittal, frontal & transverse planes)
12:00-1:00      Lunch
1:00-2:30        Normal gait kinetics & muscle actions
3:00-3:15        Break
3:15-5:00        Observational gait analysis (lab)

Day 2
8:00-10:00      Video gait analysis lab (lecture & lab)
10:00-10:15    Break
10:15-12:00    Pathological gait & clinical evaluation (lecture & lab)
12:00-1:00      Lunch
1:00-3:00        Treatment of gait dysfunction (lecture & lab)
3:00-3:15        Break
3:15-5:00        Patient cases

Functional Biomechanics of the Lower Quarter
Implications for the Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Christopher M. Powers, PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Dates

February 22-23, 2025 (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)

Cost

$475

Overview

Altered lower quarter mechanics can frequently contribute to various musculoskeletal conditions. Understanding how abnormal limb function can contribute to the mechanisms of specific joint dysfunction is essential for the evaluation and treatment of common orthopaedic disorders. This evidence-based course will review the anatomy and mechanics of the lower kinetic chain, particularly in relation to specific pathologies of the ankle, knee and hip. Emphasis will be placed on current research findings in the areas of gait analysis, lower limb function, and joint biomechanics. Implications for the evaluation and treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions will be addressed.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the participant will be able to:

Schedule

Day 1
8:00-9:00        Introduction & Overview
9:00-10:00      Movement analysis in the musculoskeletal setting
10:00-10:15    Break
10:15-12:00    Pathomechanics of the lower quarter
12:00-1:00      Lunch
1:00-2:00        Functional evaluation of lower quarter pathomechanics
2:00-3:00        Movement impairments related overuse injuries of the foot & ankle
3:00-3:15        Break
3:15-5:00        Movement impairments related overuse injuries of the knee

Day 2
8:00-10:00      Movement impairments related to patellofemoral pain
10:00-10:15    Break
10:15-11:15    Movement impairments related to overuse injuries of the hip
11:15-12:00    Movement impairments related to low back pain
12:00-1:00      Lunch
1:00-3:00        Intervention strategies for lower extremity movement impairments
3:00-3:15        Break
3:15-5:00        Therapeutic exercise and progression: A proximal approach

Advanced Functional Biomechanics of the Lower Quarter:
Integration of Technology into Practice
(6 Month Certificate Series)

Christopher M. Powers, PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Dates

Call for dates (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)
Call for dates (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)
Call for dates (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)
Call for dates (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)
Call for dates (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)
Call for dates (Movement Performance Institute – Los Angeles, CA)

iPad or Tablet required

Cost

$2,700

Overview

Movement impairments underlie many of the musculoskeletal conditions encountered in orthopaedic practice. Understanding the relationships between faulty biomechanics and lower extremity injury is fundamental to the clinical decision making process. More specifically, a thorough evaluation of movement dysfunction is necessary for the development of successful treatment strategies. This evidence-based course series will extend the knowledge base of the introductory courses by focusing on the diagnosis of movement-related impairments. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of walking, running, cycling and other common sport movements using affordable, user friendly technologies. Current theories related to the pathomechanics of lower extremity injuries will be reviewed. In addition, participants will be provided with practical information and “clinical pearls” to assist in the development of patient-specific interventions aimed at correcting dysfunctional movement patterns.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the participant will be able to:

1. Perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify movement dysfunction
2. Learn to use objective assessments of motion, forces/pressures, muscle activation patterns (EMG) and muscle performance to make informed treatment decisions.
3. Develop advanced observational movement analysis skills
4. Perform a sophisticated gait and running evaluation using video methods.
5. Set up a “mini-gait lab” in your clinic.
6. Understand and integrate into practice current research related to clinical biomechanics
7. Develop sound intervention programs that address the root cause of movement related impairments.
8. Understand the basic tenets of treating movement dysfunction (i.e. maximize muscle performance enhancement, movement re-education, etc.)

Schedule

June: Clinical Application of Biomechanical Principles and Technology for the Evaluation of Lower Extremity Pathomechanics
July: Clinical Application of Technology in the Evaluation and Treatment of Gait-Related Pain and Dysfunction
Aug: Clinical Applications of Technology in the Evaluation and Treatment of Running-Related Pain and Injury
Sept: Clinical Applications of Technology for the Evaluation of Sport-Specific Movements
Oct: Clinical Applications of Technology in the Evaluation and Treatment of Cycling-Related Pain and Injury
Nov: Treatment of Lower Quarter Movement Impairments: Advanced Concepts for the Advanced Clinician