2026 Movement System Syndromes of the Shoulder
If this is your first time attending Movement System Syndromes course, please make sure to study the 2026 Upper Quarter Foundation Webinar Series
This 2-day virtual course that will happen on June 6-7, 2026. This course describes the systematic examination of the upper extremity with specific focus on the shoulder.
By enrolling, you will receive 90-day access to the course recordings.
Course Description:
This 2-day virtual course describes the systematic examination of the upper extremity with specific focus on the shoulder. Most common movement system syndromes of the scapula and humerus will be presented. Neuromusculoskeletal adaptations associated with these syndromes and key interventions for each diagnosis will be discussed. Participants will receive guidance on how to integrate the systematic examination results to determine a movement system diagnosis. Discussion will take place to explain how the diagnosis and examination results provide the guidelines for treatment. Participants will observe an instructor’s live examination of a shoulder patient and engage in analysis of prepared videos with instructors.
For participants attending the shoulder movement system syndromes course for the first-time, they must first study the contents of Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars. These short 5 webinars cover the kinesiopathologic framework and must be completed before the 2-day virtual course.
Learning Objectives:
After completing the course, participants will:
- Understand common movement system syndromes of the scapula and humerus
- Understand how to perform the upper extremity systematic examination
- Be able to analyze scapular and humeral movements
- Be able to integrate test results to come up with a movement system diagnosis
- Discuss contributing factors to the movement system syndromes
- Identify primary focus of intervention for each syndrome
- Learn methods (verbal cues, tactile or manual cues) to modify patients’ movement pattern to direct the treatment
Speaker Profile:
Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Sahrmann is professor emerita of physical therapy at Washington University in St. Louis. She received her BS degree in physical therapy, masters and PhD in neurobiology from Washington University, where she was a clinician and faculty member for 56 years. Her research interests were in disordered motor control and classification of musculoskeletal disorders. Dr. Sahrmann with her colleagues at Washington University has been a major promotor of the movement system and the development of movement related diagnostic categories to direct physical therapy treatment which formed the basis of her published books. She has lectured extensively nationally and internationally.
Suzy Cornbleet, PT, DPT
Dr. Cornbleet was an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Orthopaedic Medicine in the Program in Physical Therapy at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She recently retired from decades of teaching at WashU. In 2015, Suzy received both the Missouri Physical Therapy Association “Outstanding Service Award for Education” and the Colorado University Physical Therapy “Alumni Achievement Award”. Her clinical interests are in pediatric and adolescent hip and low back pain and general outpatient orthopedics. She was instrumental in the development of Washington University’s Fellowship in the Diagnosis and Management of Movement Impairment Syndromes and served as a primary mentor.
Renee Ivens, PT, DPT
Dr. Ivens is an associate professor of physical therapy and orthopedic surgery at Washington University. In addition to her involvement in the didactic entry level DPT curriculum, Renee serves as a mentor in the clinical practice at the School of Medicine. Her clinical interests are movement dysfunctions involving the spine, shoulder girdle and upper extremity peripheral nerve dysfunction. She is happy to share her knowledge and experience gained while working alongside Dr Shirley Sahrmann & Associates for over 25 years.
Maiko Morotani, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Morotani is the president of Nexus Motion and Learn Movement System. She has been full-time clinician treating patients with neuromusculoskeletal pain conditions for over 15 years. Currently, she mentors physical therapists in the Los Angeles area. Maiko is one of the translators for the Japanese version of Movement System Impairment Syndromes of the Extremities, Cervical and Thoracic Spine textbook. She teaches the kinesiopathologic concepts to the Japanese community on a monthly basis. She served as a regional mentor for WashU Medicine Physical Therapy's movement system clinical fellowship. She was a keynote speaker at the Asian Confederation of Physical Therapy Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. She is PhysioU's education lead for Japan and is responsible for overseeing the Japanese content. Her passion is all about spreading the joy of movement to PTs all over the world, from PT students all the way to experienced clinicians. Under Maiko's leadership, Nexus Motion and Learn Movement System deliver high quality continuing education content every single month.
Renee Roth Powers, PT, DPT
Dr. Roth Powers owns a private-practice in the Washington DC metro area. She provides a pathway for patients to return to their maximum possible physical performance. Her clinical practice is based on extensive study and implementation of the Movement System Syndromes. Years of training, study, and professional implementation of the kinesiopathologic concepts have given her an unusually skilled eye for identifying how and why human body mechanics go wrong and how to effectively restore ideal movement. She is a competitive amateur athlete with extensive background in cycling, weight training and running.
Theresa M. Spitznagle, PT, DPT, WCS
Dr. Spitznagle is a professor in physical therapy and OB-GYN at Washington University in St Louis. Her educational mission is to provide physical therapists around the world with the knowledge needed to help others move better. Her expertise spans the thoracic spine to the pelvic girdle. Tracy firmly believes that all people benefit when we understand how pregnancy affects the movement system.
