introducing a brand new course with dr. erl pettman
The Ultimate Master Clinician Course
Two days of advanced training with Dr. Erl Pettman in Hawaii. Learn the unique anatomical and biomechanical principles behind human striding and axial rotation, and use them to crack the toughest clinical puzzles.
For advanced orthopedic manual therapists ready to turn clinical mastery into unmatched patient outcomes
Course Description
The course provides 15 hours of live, classroom lectures, demonstration and supervised practice. The course is designed for the advanced orthopedic manual therapy practitioner. The purpose of the course is to enable physical therapists to utilize their advanced clinical skills to perform an initial biomechanical screening examination of the lower half of the body, followed by more detailed assessment and treatment.
The principles on which the screening exam are based are derived from an analysis of human striding gait. Recognized as the most efficient gait of any terrestrial mammal on Earth, a human’s unique bipedal gait is the result of equally unique anatomy and biomechanics. It is proposed that in patients struggling with chronic, intractable musculoskeletal dysfunction of the lower half, the cause(s) will most likely be revealed
by focusing on assessment, and treatment of those anatomical structures specifically designed for striding gait.
Course Details
November 15 & 16, 2025
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Windward Occupational Rehab Center (W.O.R.C.), Kokokahi YWCA, 45-035 Kaneohe Bay Dr, Kaneohe, HI 96744
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this two-day training, you’ll be able to:
Master Gait Biomechanics
Understand the unique anatomical and biomechanical features that make human striding and axial rotation so efficient — and why that matters in clinical practice.
Pinpoint Root Causes
Identify the “silent culprits” behind dysfunction and distinguish them from “noisy victims” to address the true source of the problem.
Perform Comprehensive Screenings
Conduct a complete lower-half biomechanical screen in standing, supine, and prone positions to uncover hidden dysfunctions.
Apply Targeted Treatment Strategies
Prioritize and execute the most effective interventions for complex lower-half cases with confidence.
Integrate Advanced Manual Therapy
Incorporate HVLA thrusts, muscle re-education, and joint manipulations seamlessly into your patient care for faster, lasting results.
Solve Complex Biomechanical Scenarios
Confidently bring together assessment, reasoning, and intervention to resolve challenging cases from start to finish.
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for experienced orthopedic manual therapists who:
Course Schedule Overview
Day 1 – Assessment Foundations
8.00-8.30 Introduction to aims and objectives of course. Unique biomechanical features
of the human lower half.
8.30-9.30 Lecture on human striding ‘The spinal engine meets the limb engine’.
9.30-10.00 Lecture on ‘The spinal engine meets the bicameral foot’.
10.00-10.15 Break
10.15-10.30 Summary of components required in human striding, endurance running
and axial rotation.
10.30-12.00 Instruction and practicum – screening assessment in standing.
12.00-1.00 Lunch Break
1.00-2.30 Instruction and practicum – screening assessment in supine and prone.
2.30 -3.00 Practice of entire scan.
3.00-3.30 Lecture on prioritizing detailed biomechanical assessment and treatment.
Utilizing the mental flowchart.
3.30-4.30 Assessment and treatment of the sacroiliac joint.
Day 2 – Treatment & Integration
8.00-8.30 Review and practice fo the lower half screen.
8.30-10.00 ‘H and I’ test; PIVMs; HVLA thrust techniques; muscle re-education.
10.00-10.15 Break
10.15-10.45 Thoracolumbar HVLA thrusts; psoas rebalancing.
10.45-11.15 The mal-tracking hip – manipulation and re-education.
11.15-12.00 Assessment of knee extension; coronary ligaments; ‘osis’ versus ‘itis’.
12.00-1.00 Lunch Break
1.00-3.00 Ankle mobility/stability; intertarsal mobility/stability; tarsal manipulation and
taping.
3.00-4.30 Complex scenarios from screening to treatment.
Ready to Take Your Manual Therapy Skills to the Next Level?
"My advice to any new grad, burned out therapist or a therapist who wants to help their patients but doesn’t know how - go learn from Erl, you will never regret it!"
"There are no words to describe my experience learning from the genius, Erl Pettman. I met Erl in Andrews university through the Doctor of Science program. I took most of my manual therapy courses under his teachings. That was one of my best decisions and investments that I made till now. I did not just learn techniques from Erl, but he is all about principles and diagnosis. If you want to be an expert, you must learn from the best and the best is Erl Pettman."
Dr Mostafa Salama, DPT CMPT
Meet Your Instructor
Erl Pettman DScPT, FCAMPT, has been teaching Orthopedic Manual Therapy(OMT) since 1977. He is founder, senior faculty, and lead examiner for ASPIRE OMT. Erl serves as an adjunct professor in the post-professional DSc Program at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. He has owned two clinics, and founded two OMT institutes. His contributions to world of manual therapy include many presented papers and articles, as well as his book Manipulative Thrust Techniques.
We Are ASPIRE
At ASPIRE, we believe in the power of hands-on learning and the transformative impact of mentorship. Our mission is to empower physical therapists to become master clinicians through a nurturing and supportive environment.
We are committed to your success, fostering a community where questions are encouraged, and growth is celebrated. Together, we strive to treat each patient with empathy, compassion, and respect, guiding you to excel in your professional journey.
Ready to Take Your Manual Therapy Skills to the Next Level?
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