Logistics

Date:

Saturday October 18, 2025 – 8:00am – 6:00 pm

Sunday October 19, 2025 – 8:00am – 5:00 pm

16 contact hours (1.6 CEU, pending)

Location:

Vivant Health University Physical Therapy

7311 Greenhaven Drive, Suite 200

Sacramento, CA 95831

Fee: APTA members: $550; non-members $650.

Class limited to 16 participants (Maximum 16:1 student to PT faculty ratio)

Included in this course:

· 2 day dynamic and clinical content with emphasis on differential diagnosis

· Ready to use key strategies on Monday.

· Progressive treatment approach for lumbopelvic and hip joints

· Heavy hands on, discussion and exercise progression

· Electronic Handout

· Certificate of Completion

Speaker:

Yousef Ghandour, PT, DPT, MOMT, FAAOMPT has been practicing as a Physical Therapist for over 40 years. Yousef graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Long Beach University. He earned his post graduate degree in Masters of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (MOMT) 1991, from the Ola Grimsby Institute in San Diego, CA. Completed additional two years part II residency program and became a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT – FF0011) in 1994. Dr. Ghandour served on the board of instructors at the Ola Grimsby Institute for over 28 years and had the honor to be mentored by Dr. Ola Grimsby personally. Currently he is a faculty member at the University of St. Augustine since 2017.

He continued his studies to earn his doctorate degree in Physical Therapy with emphasis on executive leadership from the University of St. Augustine. Dr. Ghandour is the recipient of the “Force for Good “award from the university of St. Augustine December 2022 and received his Associate Fellow status from Scoliosis Research Society (AF-SRS) 2019 and he is certified in Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis management (SEAS). He is currently a full-time practicing clinician. He taught many short-term courses as well as part time residency programs with the Ola Grimsby Institute.

Dr. Ghandour is passionate about Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and enjoys sharing his knowledge with his colleagues and is a contributing member of several physical therapy organizations that includes:

· American Physical Therapy Association.

· The California State Physical Therapy Association,

· Orthopedic Section of the APTA,

· California Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy – SIG (COMPT- sig)

· Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT),

· Associate Fellow-Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)

Dr. Ghandour is an invited speaker to many organizations including:

· The California State Physical Therapy Association,

· California Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy – SIG (COMPT- sig)

· San Diego Spine foundation

· Pacific Spine and Pain Society

· San Diego Spine Fellowship Conference

Dr. Ghandour philanthropy work includes serving on many boards includes:

· Vice-President of Physical Therapy for All. A non-profit organization providing physical therapy services to patients with financial hardship.

· Board Member - External Advisory Council at University St. Augustine – San Marcus

Dr. Ghandour serves on different Medical advisory boards for medical device companies sharing his expertise and bridging both industries.

Course Content:

Dr. Ghandour will lead discussions on:

• Relevant Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics and Research:

o Will share imperative anatomy and biomechanical consideration determines the course of evaluation and treatment.

o Recent trends in research and surgical innovation

• Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis:

o Learn effective assessment techniques to identify lumbar instability and dysfunction, evaluation of the lower quarter with segmental mobility assessment; differential diagnosis of the lumbopelvic and hip complex (the unhappy triad of lumbar spine, Sacroiliac and hip Joint)

• Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM):

  • Instruction and hands-on practice of STM techniques for the lumbar spine and hip complex.

  • Use of dynamic mobilization to address soft tissue restrictions, muscle tone imbalances, and fascial adhesions.

• Joint Mobilization Techniques:

  • Specific joint mobilizations for lumbar spine and hip joint to improve range of motion, relieve pain, and support functional recovery.

  • Progressively advancing from basic joint mobilization to more dynamic, functional movements.

• Progressive Functional Rehabilitation Exercises:

  • Focus on recruiting the deep lumbar stabilizers (rotators, multifidus) and integrating them into functional movements.

  • Step-by-Step Progression: From foundational deep muscle activation to achieving stability and control during functional tasks such as bending, lifting, and sports-related movements.

  • Key exercises to develop trunk stability, improve postural control, and enhance dynamic lumbar stability.

• Cueing Techniques for Muscle Recruitment:

  • Palpation, positioning, and graded muscle recruitment to optimize spinal stabilization and functional movement patterns.

  • Learn how to cue your patients to effectively engage their deep core stabilizers for better lumbar spine support.

• Clinical Application of Manual & Tactile Techniques:

  • Using tactile feedback and manual techniques to facilitate motor learning and muscle recruitment.

The instructor will discuss Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD) from surgical and Physical Therapy perspective:

• Insight into the role of physical therapy pre- and post-surgery, particularly for patients who may undergo surgical intervention for lumbar instability, such as fusion or decompression.

• How to work with patients who have undergone Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), understanding the rationale, benefits, and potential complications.

• Overview of Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD) and its impact on rehabilitation strategies.

• The instructor will discuss recent trends in restorative therapy for lumbar instability.

• The instructor will utilize manual and tactile techniques, introduce pulley concepts for recruitment, and demonstrate home exercise strategies designed to maintain the gains made in the clinic.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the anatomy of the lumbar spine, including the osseous structures, ligamentous support, and the associated musculature.

• Identify and explain the neurology and motor control mechanisms relevant to the lumbar spine, including the deep stabilizing muscles and their role in spinal stability.

• Describe the biomechanics of the lumbar spine, focusing on its functional range of motion, stability, and the interrelationship between the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip complex.

• Discuss the concept of manual therapy lesions in the lumbar spine and identify how these lesions affect movement patterns and spinal stability.

• Evaluate lumbar instability, recognizing the signs and symptoms of both ligamentous and muscular instabilities, and their impact on function.

• Perform a thorough lumbar spine evaluation including segmental mobility testing to assess spinal dysfunction and identify mobility restrictions or instabilities.

• Implement Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) techniques for the lumbar spine, targeting myofascial restrictions and improving tissue flexibility to enhance spinal mobility and stability.

• Conduct a limited functional screening of the lumbar spine to assess functional limitations and identify compensatory movement patterns related to lumbar instability.

• Perform isolated muscle testing for key lumbar stabilizers, such as the deep rotators and multifidus, to assess their recruitment and function in maintaining spinal stability.

• Design and implement progressive functional exercises to activate deep stabilizing muscles of the lumbar spine and restore proper movement patterns.

  • Manual therapy techniques (mobilizations, STM)

  • Pulleys, body weight exercises, and free weights to enhance stability and motor control.

• Discuss the progression of lumbar stabilization exercises, including key concepts for progressing stability exercises from basic to functional levels.

• Explain the progression of concentric and eccentric exercises, detailing how each phase contributes to strengthening the lumbar spine and improving movement control.

• Outline the positional progression necessary to optimize muscle recruitment during lumbar stabilization exercises, including specific cues for engaging deep stabilizing muscles.

• Develop a safe and effective Return to Sports plan for patients recovering from lumbar instability, incorporating functional rehabilitation exercises and sport-specific movement patterns.

By the end of the course, participants will have the ability to integrate these techniques and concepts into their clinical practice, improving outcomes for patients with lumbar spine instability and dysfunction.

Course Schedule

Participants must attend the entire course to satisfactorily complete the course. The instructor determines satisfactory completion.

Saturday:

7:30 am Registration and Check In

8:00 am Introduction / Definition of Lumbar Instability

8:30 am Components of spinal Stability

9:00 am Spinal anatomy, biomechanics, neurophysiology

9:30 am Defining Instability

Literature Overview

Radiology screening – fatty infiltration relevance

Concentric / eccentrics recruitment

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Lab I: Evaluation / assessment Lumbar Segmental Mobility, Grading segmental problem, Testing and Mobilization, Special tests/ functional tests interpretation

1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch On your own

2:00 pm Lab II: Soft Tissue Mobilization lumbar spine paraspinals; Definitions AMP/PMP/CR/HR

3:00 pm Lab III Functional Testing in supine and Weight bearing

3:45 pm Lab IIV Introduction to Segmental Recruitment Prone Strategies, Side lying: Mod Level

4:30 PM Break

4:45 pm Lab IV: Segmental Recruitment, Side lying: High Level, Modified Wt. bearing; Standing: Moderate to Advanced

6:00 pm Adjourn

(8.5 instructional hours)

Sunday:

8:00 am Discussion: Question and answers

8:30 am Lab V Lumbar spine side lying Mod to difficult level.

10:15 am Break

10:30 am Lab VI Lumbar spine Standing and Sitting Mod to difficult level.

12:00 – 12:45 pm Lunch On your own

12:45 pm Lab VII: NWB Strategies using the pulleys.

2:00 pm Lab VIII: Dynamic incorporation of Concentric-Eccentric Using Pulleys, Gym Balls, Steps, balance discs, trampoline

4:00 pm Break

4:15 pm Integration of Neuromuscular-osseous structures for optimal function; Q&A

4:45 pm Closing Remarks

5:00 pm Adjourn

(7.75 instructional hours)