Unlocking the Shoulder: A Guide to Examination and Rehabilitation

Course Overview
This evidence-based program bridges the gap between diagnosis and treatment by exploring the complex biomechanics of the shoulder through the kinetic link model. Participants will learn advanced assessment techniques, manual therapy approaches, and therapeutic exercise interventions for common shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff pathologies, adhesive capsulitis, and postsurgical rehabilitation for shoulder arthroplasty. The course emphasizes the importance of regional interdependence, fascial connections, and core stability in shoulder rehabilitation, providing clinicians with practical skills to optimize patient outcomes and restore functional movement patterns.

Learning Outcomes 
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Apply the kinetic link model to shoulder assessment and treatment, recognizing the relationship between proximal stability and distal mobility in shoulder function.
• Differentiate between various shoulder pathologies including rotator cuff conditions, adhesive capsulitis, and postsurgical presentations through comprehensive examination techniques.
• Implement evidence-based manual therapy techniques for the shoulder complex, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and fascial release methods.
• Organize progressive rehabilitation programs for patients following rotator cuff repair and shoulder arthroplasty based on tissue healing timelines and biomechanical considerations.
• Integrate core stability and hip mobility exercises into shoulder rehabilitation protocols to address regional interdependence and improve functional outcomes.
• Analyze scapular positioning and movement patterns to identify dyskinesis and implement appropriate corrective strategies.
• Apply current research findings to clinical decision-making for common shoulder conditions, including appropriate use of manual therapy versus exercise interventions.
• Organize effective home exercise programs that incorporate fascial stretching and functional movement patterns to enhance patient compliance and outcomes.
   

About the Author/Presenter 
John O’Halloran, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC (retired), CSCS (retired), Cert MDT, Certified SCTM-1 Practitioner, is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association and has over 30 years of experience in the field of orthopedics. He earned his post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy from Temple University. Dr. O’Halloran has studied orthopedic and sports therapy abroad in Australia and New Zealand. He is the sole owner of O’Halloran Rehabilitation, a division of O’Halloran Consulting, LLC. John was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He is credentialed with the McKenzie Institute in the mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine and has extensive postgraduate training in manipulative therapy of the spine and holds certificates in SMT-1, SMT-2, and SMT-3 with the American Spinal Manipulative Institute. Dr. O’Halloran is also a certified functional capacity evaluator in the Blankenship Method. He has presented over 1,500 times both locally and internationally on various orthopedic and sports medicine topics. In 2014 John was the recipient of Clinician of the Year and Excellence in Clinical Practice Award by the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association. Recently his investigational work on the earlier facilitation of gait in a total knee arthroplasty patient has been cited in a peer-reviewed journal publication. Dr. O’Halloran was a presenter at the 2023 Ortho/Neuro Rehab Summit, October 26-29 in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as 2024 in Orlando, Florida, and an invited presenter at the International Orthopedic Conference, January 4, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt.

Audience/Accreditations and Approvals 
Colibri Healthcare 
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details): 
Massage Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy

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