Shoulder Biomechanics: Relative Flexibility & Stiffness
This is the third of five Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars in 2026.
- Date: March 25, 2026 Wednesday, 7pm-8:30pm Central Time
- Speaker: Andrew Piraino, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
When you register for Foundation Webinars, you will be registered for all 5 Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars for $200. If you are currently an active ALL ACCESS member, you do not need to register, as these 5 webinars are included in your membership.
See how Andrew Piraino breaks down relative stiffness and flexibility to help you see why shoulders move the way they do—and how these principles directly impact assessment, and outcomes.
Webinar Description
This is the third of five Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars in 2026. During this webinar, key concepts regarding shoulder girdle biomechanics and the relationship to kinesiopathology of the cervical, glenohumeral, and elbow regions will be discussed. Muscle actions of the shoulder girdle will be presented. The importance of morphology, task, and biomechanics that provide the basis for alignment and movement tests during a systematic movement examination will be highlighted. The specific effects of relative stiffness, flexibility, and the resulting consequences at various regions of the upper quarter will be emphasized.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, the participants will be able to:
- Describe the relationship among alignments and movements of the cervical, shoulder, and elbow regions.
- Discuss the importance of scapular biomechanics and why alterations affect the stress at the cervical and glenohumeral regions.
- Explain the roles of relative flexibility and relative stiffness at the scapulothoracic and glenohumeral regions, and their effects on humeral glide.
- Describe the relationship between the peripheral nervous system and shoulder biomechanics associated with movement system diagnoses and radiating neurogenic symptoms.
To receive CEU approved by California PT Association, participant must complete the course evaluation AND score 80% or higher on the post-webinar quiz. CEU will expire on March 25, 2027, therefore, post-webinar quiz must be passed before the recording access expires or by March 25, 2027, whichever comes first.
Schedule
Date: March 25, 2026 Wednesday (Central Time)
7pm ~ 7:05pm: Speaker introduction and announcements
7:05pm ~ 8:15pm: Lecture on relative flexibility and stiffness and shoulder biomechanics
8:15pm ~ 8:30pm: Q&A and discussion
Speaker Profile: Andrew Piraino, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Dr. Andrew Piraino is a residency and fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist. He works at Houston Methodist Clear Lake in a hybrid role in patient care, clinical education development and delivery. He previously served as a national faculty and steering committee member at Select Medical for their continuing education courses and orthopaedic residency program, and at the University of Southern California in a full-time clinical faculty role. He authored the 2017 monograph on Neuromuscular Healing for the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and has published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy and the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. His primary areas of focus are advancing physical therapy practice in movement expertise while improving comprehension of the cellular mechanisms underpinning tissue healing and our interventions.
