San Francisco (Belmont), CA – The Mulligan Concept™ Upper Quadrant Course

Instructor: Mark Thomson

$599.00

Nov 8, 2025

8:00am – 4:30pm

to

Nov 9, 2025

8:00am – 4:00pm

Instructor:Mark Thomson

On the Move Physical Therapy & Pilates

501-D Old County Road

Belmont, CA 94002

Spinal and Peripheral Manual Therapy Treatment Techniques For Upper Quadrant

This two-day course will present the Mulligan approach to manual therapy for the Cervical and Thoracic spine as well as for the upper extremity. It will include lecture, patient demonstrations, and lab time to give the participants a thorough and in depth coverage of the Mobilization With Movement approach for the upper quarter. This unique approach to manual therapy was discovered and developed by Brian Mulligan F.N.Z.S.P. (Hon), Dip. M.T. from Wellington, New Zealand. This simple yet effective manual approach addresses musculoskeletal disorders with pain free manual joint “repositioning” techniques for restoration of function and abolition of pain.

  • PTs and PTAs will receive 1.5 CEU’s for those holding license in the state of CA.   For those residing outside of the state of CA, please contact your the course instructor to determine if pre-approval has been obtained.  If the state in which you practice is not pre-approved, contact your state governing board to determine reciprocity for your state. All forms required to submit individually for CEU’s can be found on this website under Courses/CEU.
  • This lab based course has CPTA approval #23-181and is lecture and hands on technique lab based with a student to faculty ration of 16:1.
  • AOTA approval ID# 7364. This Live PD activity is offered at 1.6 CEUs educational level- Intermediate Category 1.
  • ATs will receive 13 CEUs from the NATA Board of Certification CEU Provider P3566.
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer

By the end of the course the participant will be able to accurately:

  • List 3 key manual components of Mobilization With Movement for the treatment of upper quarter.
  • Demonstrate 3 shoulder MWM techniques for shoulder elevation impairment.
  • Demonstrate 2 elbow MWM techniques for loss of motion and tennis elbow.
  • List 2 indications for wrist/hand taping procedures for the proximal row of carpals and the metacarpals to reinforce an MWM technique.
  • Demonstrate 3 key variables that may need to be modified for pain-free effective MWM of the upper extremity, cervical and thoracic spine.
  • Demonstrate 3 manual upper cervical techniques used for the alleviation of cervicogenic headaches
  • Demonstrate 3 manual upper cervical techniques used for the alleviation of cervicogenic dizziness
  • Demonstrate central and unilateral manual SNAG techniques for the pain-free improvement of cervical and thoracic ROM.
  • Cite at least 2 RCT studies that support cervical snags for headaches and dizziness
  • Cite at least 2 RCT studies that support the MWM approach to Tennis elbow
  • Integrate one combined shoulder MWM and cervical SNAG when presented with a persistent cervical / shoulder musculoskeletal dysfunctional pattern.

Precourse video (to be sent to all participants in the Pre-course email 1-2 weeks prior to the course):

Pre-course video outline (1 hour 5 minute video)

0 – 5:00             Course and Mulligan Concept Intro: Mark Thomson’s background

5:00 – 6:51        Who is Brian Mulligan?

6:51 – 23:39      Effects of manual therapy and Mulligan Concept mechanisms of action

23:40 – 25:40    Evidence for manual therapy vs hands off approach

25:40 – 29:03    Mulligan Concept resources and “tools of the trade”

29:03 – 32:50    How was the Mulligan Concept born?

32:50 – 34:40     IP example of MWM

34:40 – 36:04     3 things about the Mulligan Concept that require the most practice!

36:04 – 37:10     Establishment of the Mulligan Concept Teacher Association

37:10 – 42:48      What is the Mulligan Concept?

42:48 –  1:00      CROCKS

1:00 – 1:02:40   MWM’s are one part of a thorough examination

1:02:40 – 1:03:10 PILL EFFECT

1:03:10. REVIEW

DAY 1:

  • 7:45-8:00 Sign in and Registration
  • 8:00-9:00 Pre-test. Introduction, theory, guidelines for practical application of Mobilization With Movement (MWM’s): CROCKS and PILL
  • 9:00-9:30 Hand demonstration and lab practice: IP, MCP, Metacarpals, Carpals, and taping techniques.
  • 9:30-10:00 Literature evidence for evaluation and treatment of Wrist. Demonstration and lab practice: MWMs for flexion, extension, supination, pronation, and taping.
  • 10:00-10:15 Break time
  • 10:15-12:00 Cervical demonstration and lab practice: Natural Apophyseal Glides (NAGs), Reverse NAGs, Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs).
  • 12:00-1:00 Lunch
  • 1:00- 2:00 Cervical demonstration and lab practice: SNAGs continued. Self-SNAGS/HEP/Self management.
  • 2:00-2:30 Upper Cervical lecture: evidence for evaluation and assessment of Upper Cervical pain, mobility loss, headaches and cervicogenic dizziness.
  • 2:30- 2:45 Break time
  • 2:45- 4:30 Upper Cervical lab practice for Headache/Cervicogenic Dizziness and pain/Mobility loss.

DAY 2:

  • 7:30-9:30 Review of Day 1 topics and treatments. CMP exam requirements. Cervical demonstration & lab practice: traction techniques, Transverse SNAG’s (Positional SNAGS’s), Spinal Mobilization with Arm Movement.
  • 9:30-9:45 Break time
  • 9:45-11:00 Elbow demonstration and lab practice, HEP/ patient self-management strategies.
  • 11:00-12:00 Literature evidence for evaluation and treatment of the Shoulder. Demonstration and lab practice.
  • 12:00-1:00 Lunch
  • 1:00- 2:00 Shoulder demonstration and lab practice continued to include the Acromioclavicular joint and Scapulothoracic area: MWM, HEP/self management.
  • 2:00- 2:15 Break time
  • 2:15- 3:00 Rib and Thoracic demonstration and lab practice: MWM for the ribs and thoracic.
  • 3:00 – 3:30 Review, Post Test and Closing

Wear loose, comfortable lab clothes. Bring mobilization belts, mobilization pads, if available.

Recommended Products

To facilitate your learning and preparation for the course, it is recommended that you purchase a mobilization belt, contact pad, and Brian Mulligan’s 7th edition textbook. Other tools to facilitate learning include video tutorials of the techniques presented in the courses. Click the product links below for information and purchase.

Mark Thomson – PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CMP, MCTA

Dr. Thomson earned his BS in Physiological Science from UCLA in 1992. He graduated from UCSF/SFSU with an MPT degree in 1995. Mark graduated from the Kaiser Permanente Manual Therapy Fellowship in Los Angeles, CA in 2000. In 2005, he earned his tDPT from Temple University. Mark is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and APTA Orthopedic Section member. Mark’s clinical practice is currently at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, where he works as a Clinical Specialist and treats outpatient orthopedic patients full time. Since 2010, he has also worked as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Augustine in San Diego within the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program, teaching courses in Spinal Manipulation, Extremity Manipulation, and Orthopedics. Mark is the Regional Manager for the North American Mulligan Concept Teachers Association and has been involved with teaching short and long-term manual therapy courses since 1999 with excellent course reviews. Dr. Thomson is a clinical faculty member in the Kaiser Southern California Orthopedic Residency program, and thoroughly enjoys mentoring several residents every year. He practices an integrated style of manual therapy, focusing on passive and active mobilization techniques and exercise, with a commitment to continual analytical assessment. Mark is currently the North American Regional Manager of the Mulligan Concept Teachers Association.

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SKU: MARK BelmontUQ 110811092025 Categories: ,