A Manual Therapy Approach to Treating the Cervical & Thoracic Spine

Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Intended Audience: Orthopedic Physical Therapists 
Course level: Intermediate
Check in time: 7:30AM-8:00AM (CST)
Course time: 8:00AM-12:00PM (CST)
Location:  St. Catherine University/Mendel Hall
2004, Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55105
Lab #213
Total Contact hours: 4.0 

Course Fee: $100.00

Group Discounts: 
If two people from the same organization register for a course, each person will receive a 10% discount. Three or more registered will receive a 15% discount. Please email or call ahead of time with the names of the people who will be registering as a group, [email protected] or 612-672-5607.
**For Group discounts:  USE CODE rehab10 for 10% discount and rehab15 for 15% discount for group. 

The course will be submitted to the MN Board of PT for approved credits.
(Submitting credits through the organizations does not guarantee approved credits or the full credits. All participants will receive a certificate of completion which you may be able to use towards your professional license).

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation Fee will apply

Course Summary

Spinal mobilization and manipulation techniques can be an effective treatment approach but a difficult skill to master. This course will emphasize various manual therapy techniques for the cervical and thoracic spine including Mobilizations with Movement and High-Velocity-Low-Amplitude-Thrust techniques. We will spend a majority of our time practicing hands-on manual therapy techniques to give participants plenty of opportunity to enhance their manual therapy skills. We will also discuss the evidence supporting joint mobilizations/manipulations for the cervical and thoracic spine and exercises to couple with manual therapy. 

Instructor:

Eric Stokes is a residency trained physical therapist with M Health Fairview with a passion for orthopedics and manual therapy. He received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2012 and his doctorate in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica in 2015. Eric then completed the M Health Fairview Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency in 2016 and earned his OCS in 2017.

Eric has received advanced training in spinal mobilization and manipulation throughout the residency and continuing education courses through the Spinal Manipulation Institute and Mulligan Concept. He has been a faculty member of the M Health Fairview Residency program since 2020 and teaches manual therapy content for the spine. Eric practices at the M Health Fairview Highland Park location. 

Financial Disclosure: No financial relationships to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosure: No non-financial relationships to disclose.

Objectives/Outcomes:
At the end of this course, the therapist should be able to:

  • Identify the indications and contraindications for mobilization and manipulation of the cervical and thoracic spine
  • Complete a thorough examination of the cervical and thoracic spine with appropriate screening tests
  • Demonstrate appropriate techniques for mobilization and manipulation of the cervical and thoracic spine
  • Identify appropriate exercises to pair with manual therapy techniques
  • Identify research supporting mobilization/manipulation of the cervical/thoracic spine

Agenda:

7:30-8:00 Check in 
8:00-9:00am: Examination and Screening for the Cervical & Thoracic spine
9:00-10:00am: LAB: Thoracic Mobilizations & Manipulations
10:00-11:00am: LAB: Cervical Mobilizations & Manipulations
11:00-12:00pm: Exercises to couple with mobilizations/manipulations / Case Studies
 

REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE