Agenda

8:30 – Welcome –

8:45 – 9:15

9:15 – 10:15

Speaker: Gil Hedly, PhD

Topic: “Anatomy Tour for Upper Torso Relationships”

Gil will share from his vast library of anatomy dissections , an overview of the specific anatomical structures that will be presented in the speakers’ presentations throughout our 3 day conference.

10:15 – 10:30 – Break

10:30 – 11:45

Speaker: Dr. Phil Steele, MD, RMSK and Diane Lee, BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS

Topic: “ It’s All Connected! Quick Screen Tests for Other Body Regions Before Assessing the Neck & Shoulder”

Non-traumatic neck and/or shoulder region pain is often secondary to impairments elsewhere in the body. Where? Anywhere! This presentation will offer two different perspectives on screening four common body regions (lumbopelvis, thorax, shoulder girdle and craniocervical) that often contribute to impaired function, and symptoms, in the neck and shoulder region. One method has been developed by physical therapists and the other by physicians. The two approaches for quick screening will be demonstrated with live subjects and you will have the opportunity to practice both during afternoon workshops.

11:45- 12:30

Speaker: Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D , Dr. Brad Fullerton, MD, Diane Lee, BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS

Topic: “When It Does Get Complicated – Listen”

Keeping the patient in the center of the puzzle, this section will discuss the importance of listening to the patient’s history, how to create space for the patient to remember their journey and listening to the multiple ways patients describe their dysfunction. Also in this section, you will be introduced to a whole new way of listening – actual listening to the tissues with our hands. We will discuss the origins of “listening to the body” developed in osteopathy, and how the presenters put this quality of perception into active tests and meaningful tasks.

12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch

1:30 – 2:30

Speakers: Diane Lee, BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS

Topic: “The Essential Role of the Thorax for Optimal Neck and Shoulder Function”

The thorax is the platform for the neck and shoulder and impairments in alignment (A) (posture), biomechanics (B) and control (C) of the ten complete thoracic rings often play a role in persistent neck and shoulder pain/dysfunction. This lecture will cover the A, B, C requirements of inter-thoracic ring alignment, mobility and control for two tasks; head and neck rotation and unilateral arm elevation. As a group, these biomechanics will be integrated into your hands with a large walk-thru lab so that you can find thoracic rings that are improperly aligned, have reverse biomechanics for the task, or loss of control during loading. This information and clinical skills will prepare you for the afternoon workshop on how to determine IF the thoracic rings are contributing to the client’s neck and shoulder pain/dysfunction.

2:30 – 3:15

Speakers: Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, RCMT, BCB-PMD

Topic: “The Diaphragm is NOT a Breathing Muscle! So What Does it Do?”

For patients who insist on breathing, it is important to assess how they breath and manage the pressure system for a stable and mobile core. A look at the Zone of Apposition will help to assess the ability of the rib cage to do its job to support core function. From there we will delve into the fascial and neurological connections of the diaphragm that connect the trigeminal system to the cranium and down to the pelvic floor.

3:15 – 4:15

WORKSHOP

Speakers: Dr. Tim Mazzola, MD, Dr. Brad Fullerton, MD, Dr. Phillip Steele,MD, Dr. Al Kozar, DO, Gail Wetzler, PT, Diane Lee, BSR, Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, Nancy Harrison, PT.

Title: “Quick Screen Tests for other Body Regions”

This workshop will teach you both the physical therapy and physician developed quick screen tests for four common body regions that may contribute to pain and impairment of the neck and shoulder region. These regions include the lumbopelvic, thorax, shoulder girdle and cranium/neck.

There will be 4 stations providing the participant with the same Information during these workshops. One physician and one physical therapist will be at each station with physician and physical therapist screening exams taught by the respective provider.

4:15 – 4:30 – Break

4:30 – 5:30

WORKSHOP

There will be 2 sections within this workshop. Each section will be 30 minutes in length.

Speakers: Diane Lee, BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS and assistants Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D and Nancy Harrison, PT, MSPT, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT

Lab 1- Title: “How to Assess and Change Two Adjacent Thoracic Rings to Determine if They are Impacting Arm Elevation.”

In this part of the workshop you will learn how to manually improve the noted impairments (alignment, biomechanics, control) of specific thoracic rings during the arm elevation task and test whether the thorax is indeed contributing to a client’s symptoms and functional problems.

Speakers: Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, RCMT, BCB-PMD

Lab 2- Title: “If You Insist on Breathing – Let’s Talk About the Diaphragm”

8:00 – 8:45

Speakers: Team Presentation with Dr. Timothy Mazzola, MD, CAQSM, RMSK, Dr.Jill Greenfield, PT, DPT, SCS and Erin Teague, PTA, Massage Therapist.

Topic: “When Treating the Rotator Cuff Ain’t Enough – Collaborative Lessons Learned from an Illuminating Case”

Our patient tells their story along with the team’s perspectives on their part of the care plan. All will discuss the journey of how to progressively diagnosis and treat patients over time and how collaborative teamwork helps solve problems more completely. This section will include history, imaging, exam, clues to help make the diagnosis and adjust the plan of care for treatment as things change over time, including when to bring in another team member.

Round table discussions based on the questions that come up will be considered as time allows.

8:45 – 9:30

Speakers: Dawn Marie Ickes, MPT, PhD.

Topic: “The Compassionate Cure: Addressing Burnout Through Care and Connection for Healthcare Providers”

Mitigate burnout through the power of compassionate care and meaningful connections. Focusing on practical strategies for self-compassion, mindfulness, and fostering supportive relationships in clinical environments, participants will learn how to sustain their well-being while continuing to provide exceptional patient care. By exploring the critical link between compassionate engagement and burnout prevention, this session will offer actionable tools to enhance emotional resilience, create a culture of care within teams, and maintain balance in demanding healthcare roles.

9:30 – 10:00

Speakers: Rachel Amondson, MSW, PCC

Topic: “Pain Reprocessing Therapy”

Get an understanding of Mind-Body Syndrome (MBS) and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). Rachel will review the key findings from the JAMA study conducted by Alan Gordon and Yoni Ashar that demonstrated the effectiveness of PRT in treating chronic pain. She will also discuss common signs and symptoms of Mind-Body Syndrome and how to differentiate MBS from other physical conditions. She will provide practical tools and resources to support your patients in managing mind-body symptoms and to empower patients to take an active role in their healing journey.

10:00- 10:15 – Break

10:15 – 11:00

Speakers: Dr. Dean Ziegler, MD

Topic: “Glenohumeral Labral Tears – Surgical Indications”

Dr. Ziegler will present various cases of labral tears found on MRI and distinguish when surgery is appropriate and when to consider other treatments first. Such cases will consider hypermobility and MDI, traumatic dislocation and Bankhart tear and/or a high level thrower with a SLAP tear vs a 50+ year old non-thrower with a SLAP tear.

11:00 – 11:30

11:30 – 12:15

Speakers: Dr. Brad Fullerton, MD

Topic: “Scapulothoracic Fascia: Using Applied Biotensegrity to Understand Dynamic Control of the Upper Extremity”

This lecture will use dissection, dynamic US, and dynamic exam videos to further understand two interrelated fascial systems: the serrati fascia and the infraspinatus aponeurosis. Fascial injury and dysfunction in these systems are unrecognized and are often precursors to more recognized pathology, such as scapular winging, rotator cuff impingement, glenohumeral (GH) instability, and GH osteoarthritis. The serrati fascial system is central to scapular gliding on the thorax and dynamic trunk stability during UE movement.

Questions for discussion:

• How is the arm ‘attached’ to the trunk?
• How do scapular muscles stabilize the glenohumeral joint?
• How does the UE stabilize the trunk during overhead activities?

1:15 – 2:15

Speaker: Gregg Johnson, PT, FFFMT, FAAOMPT

Topic: “How to Differentiate Shoulder Weakness from Cervical (Central) Inhibition. Also, the Critical Importance of Assessing the Intrinsic Glenohumeral Motions for Enhanced Functional Capacity. A Physical Therapy Perspective.”

This presentation will introduce the audience to the FMT Disinhibition Test and methods for managing dysfunctional findings. This test includes identifying shoulder and upper extremity weakness and then determining whether the weakness is localized to the shoulder or inhibition from the cervical spine. Once facilitated, the Impact Test will help identify postures and movements that may precipitate the inhibition.

Additionally, a brief presentation of the assessment and treatment of 6 glenohumeral intrinsic(accessory) motions that should be evaluated and treated before initiating the process of improving upper extremity motion and strength.

2:15 – 3:00

Speakers: Dr. Phil Steele, MD, RMSK and Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D

Topic: “Integration of Manual Therapy and the Sonoanatomy of the Cervical Spine, Dura and Brachial Plexus”

For a better understanding of the complexity of the cranial, cervical and brachial anatomy, Phil and Gail will be illustrating differential neuro assessments with 3 different cases. These cases will demonstrate the need for integration.

3:00 – 4:00

WORKSHOP

This workshop will consist of 2 choices. Please choose 1 of the labs.

Topic: “Disinhibition/Impact Testing and Differential Diagnosis”

Lab 1: Gregg Johnson, PT, FFFMT, FAAOMPT assisted by Nancy Harrison, PT, MSPT, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT

This lab session will train participants to perform the Disinhibition series test and the Impact Test with lab practice time.

Topic: “Demonstration of how to integrate manual therapy evaluations with Ultrasonography.”

Lab 2: Dr. Phil Steele, MD, RMSK and Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D

Ultrasound demonstration of the cervical spine Differential manual therapy diagnosis of the brachial, lumbar and sacral plexus via the spinal dural system. Two different participants will have the experience of this collaboration.

A. Two volunteers from our participants-

• PT will evaluate 1 person for the cranium, cervical spine, shoulder girdle and then they go to Phil for the ultrasound evaluation.

• Phil will evaluate the second patient first and then Gail will follow up with a manual therapy perspective.

• See what we both find similar or different.

B. Then Gail will teach the differential diagnosis for the brachial, lumbar and sacral plexus via the spinal dural system

4:00- 5:00

WORKSHOP

This lab will consist of 2 choices. Please choose 1 of the labs.

Lab 1: Diane Lee, BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS and Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, RCMT, BCB-PMD

Topic: “Neuromotor Control of the Shoulder Girdle: How to Know When and What to Release and When to Refer for Ultrasound Guided Interventions (Hydrodissection of Fascial Plane or Nerves to Release vs Regenerative Medicine to Provide Better Structural Integrity)”

The first part of this workshop will teach how to find, and treat with physical therapy, the relevant myofascia that is preventing optimal alignment, biomechanics and/or control of the clavicle or scapula when the shoulder girdle is contributing to impaired neck and glenohumeral joint function. Following this, a discussion will cover the findings that suggest whether tissue freeing and hydrodissection and/or structural augmentation with regenerative medicine is indicated.

Lab 2: Dr. Timothy Mazzola, MD, CAQSM, RMSK and Dr. Brad Fullerton, MD

Topic: “Physical Examination of the Shoulder Girdle”

Tim and Brad will share how they perform a sports medicine/orthopedic physical exam for the scapular stabilizers, thoracolumbar fascia, myofascial evaluation of the spine and paraspinal muscles and costotransverse joints, rotator cuff assessment, and brachial plexus and peripheral nerve assessments via the nerve compression collapse test.

8:00 – 8:45

Panel Discussion

Topic: “Bringing it All Together”

A group of various presenters will answer participant questions that have arisen during the conference. Presenters will discuss their respective viewpoints about “What do we need to bring it all together?” This highlights the importance and benefits of a collaborative approach to patient-centered care. Topics will touch on anatomy, physical exam, evaluating for possible myofascial tears, US examination and diagnostic injections, motor control, stability, rehabilitation exercise, the state of the provider and the state of the patient.

8:45 – 9:45

Speaker: Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD.

Topic: “Resilience in a Toxic World: The Impact of Environmental Toxicity on Immuno-Metabolic Function”

In this lecture, Dr. Jill Carnahan explores the profound impact of environmental toxicity on immune and metabolic health. Chronic exposure to heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, mold mycotoxins, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is increasingly linked to immune dysfunction, systemic inflammation, MCAS, and metabolic disorders including mitochondrial dysfunction. Dr. Carnahan will discuss the latest research on toxic burden, the biochemical pathways affected, and practical detoxification strategies to support resilience in a toxic world. Attendees will gain valuable insights into reducing toxic exposures, optimizing immune function, and restoring metabolic balance through integrative approaches.

9:45 – 10:00 – Break

10:00 – 12:00

Case Presentations: “Presentations of patient history, physical exam, imaging, therapy, and the journey to recovery”

10:00 – Case 1. Dr. Al Kozar, DO, FAOASM, RMSK, Thoracic Outlet

10:30 – Case 2. Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D, Visceral Impairment

11:00 – Case 3. Diane Lee, BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS and Dr. Xiao Yuan, MD, Finding the connection between the shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle for upper quadrant function

11:30 – Case 4. Dr. Phil Steele, MD, RMSK, MVA with whiplash and posterior cervical instability, raphe stabilization, semispinalis capitis dysfunction

12:00 – 12:45 – Lunch

12:45 – 2:45

This lab will be 2 hours long. The physicians will go to the advanced ultrasound Training while physiotherapists and other allied health will go to the movement lab.

Lab 1: Advanced Cervical and Scapulothoracic ultrasound

Advanced ultrasound stations will be set up with the goal of helping physicians learn key anatomy and ultrasound techniques from our experienced speakers. Each participant is guided in a specific area that they need help with. We will have 4 stations lead by Drs. Al Kozar, Phil Steele, Brad Fullerton and Timothy Mazzola.

Lab 2: This 2 hour Movement Lab will start with a 1 hour lab followed by 2, 30 minute training sections.

Advanced Movement training for the thorax, neck and shoulder. Movement lessons with the goal of bringing function back into the lives of our patients via different possibilities of movement choices

12:45. Madeline Black and Dawn Marie Ickes, MPT, PhD. – In this session, we will introduce a way to notice whole body movement pathways that influence the breath and shoulder. Experience simple movements that shift the body’s form for improved movement and support the breath. Postural and locomotor systems function within the organization of movement. The path of movement relies on a person’s strategies and organizational orientation. It is uniquely individual.

1:45. Lauri Nemetz, MA, BC-DMT, LCAT, ERYT500, C-IAYT– Unlocking the keys of scapulothoracic and cervico-shoulder movement. How our bipedalism affects mobility and stability in the upper body.

2:15. Chris Frederick, PT and Ann Fredrick– Fascianetics utilizes neuromyofascial dynamic movement patterns to intentionally mobilize, stabilize, and strengthen specific local regions needing integration to enact optimal whole body function. For this lab, the specific local region of intention will be omni-directional scapulothoracic closed and open kinetic chain movement patterns within a global, whole body context.

2:45 – Closing Remarks

3:00 – Conclusion of Conference