Movement System Syndromes of the Lumbar Spine
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Let's practice together!
We have gotten many requests to host an onsite class from so many people. Thank you!! Virtual courses are convenient and are here to stay, but nothing beats evaluating people's alignment and movement patterns together. This course will primarily cover lumbar spine syndromes with consideration of the hip joints. A huge part of the weekend will be spent in lab, analyzing classmates' movement patterns and appreciating where to look / how to guide the secondary tests.
- Movement System Syndromes of the Lumbar Spine
- April 18~19, 2026 (Sat & Sun)
- Time: 9am ~ 5pm both days
- Location: 1092 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas CA 92024 (Scripps Rehabilitation Services)
- Parking: There is a free parking directly in front of the rehabilitation building.
- Instructor: Maiko Morotani, PT, DPT, board certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy
Participants are encouraged to study the Lower Quarter Basics course (free) prior to attending the weekend course.
There are NO RECORDINGS of this onsite course. All you have to do is come to class and practice together!
Course Description
The proposed Movement System Syndromes (classification system) has been shown to help clinicians identify the cause of patient’s neuromusculoskeletal pain. By using the systematic examination, physical therapists determine the movement system diagnosis and efficiently guide patients’ return to their prior level of function and optimize their movement. This course will provide the concepts and principles of Movement System Syndromes with focus on the lumbar spine. Interactions with hip will be considered during the examination and development of treatment plan. Participants will be able to practice systematic lower quarter examination to diagnose and identify the contributing factors by participating in lab. Key concepts of movement system syndromes are:
- Body takes the path of least resistance
- Relative flexibility (joint) and relative stiffness (active and passive tension of muscles)
- Micro-instability contributes to progression of neuromusculoskeletal pain
- How we perform everyday activities is crucial (repetitive movements / prolonged postures)
- Strong muscles do not equate to correct movement (neuromuscular activation influence)
- Regional interdependency
- The need for systematic examination and movement system diagnoses
Learning Objectives
At the end of the class, participants will be able to:
- Appreciate physical therapist’s identity, particularly those who are in the orthopedic setting
- Describe the difference between pathokinesiologic model and kinesiopathologic model
- Understand the key concepts of kinesiopathologic principles
- Learn the systematic lower extremity movement tests
- Learn how to perform the modification of movement tests
- Learn the lumbar spine movement system diagnoses
- Understand how to treat patients according to their movement system diagnosis
- Develop appropriate handling skills to perform each movement test
Schedule: 4/18/2026~4/19/2026
This course is designed for physical therapists who want to practice the systematic examination and modification tests / treatments in the classroom. There are no virtual options for the San Diego course.
Onsite course will be held at Scripps Rehabilitation Services located at:
1092 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas CA 92024
Parking: There is free parking directly in front of the rehabilitation building.
April 18~19 2026, Sat & Sun
9am ~ 5pm both days
Speaker Profile
Maiko Morotani is a physical therapist and president of Nexus Motion and Learn Movement System. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis and is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy. She has received the Alumni Achievement Award from Washington University in St. Louis in 2016 for her work in spreading Movement System Syndromes in the US and in Japan. She is one of 7 Japanese translators of Movement System Impairment Syndromes of the Extremities, Cervical, and Thoracic Spine (Mosby 2010 / Ishiyaku 2013). She assisted and translated Dr. Shirley Sahrmann’s lecture in Japan in 2008 and Dr. Sahrmann’s keynote speech at the 51st Congress of Japanese Society of Physical Therapy in 2016. She has mentored numerous fellows through the Movement System Clinical Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. She has been teaching the kinesiopathologic principles in Japan and locally in California since 2012. Currently, under Maiko’s leadership, Learn Movement System is organizing continuing education in movement system syndromes both virtually and in-person.
2026 San Diego lumbar spine course
Onsite course with plenty of lab hours to practice systematic examination and secondary tests / treatments for low back patients, using kinesiopathologic principles. One of the few opportunities this year for studying Movement System Syndromes of the Lumbar Spine in person!
$500.00 USD
Are you an active ALL ACCESS member? We can send you a discount coupon code for the San Diego course!
You are awesome for being an ALL ACCESS member. So committed and driven. ALL ACCESS provides you automatic registration for virtual webinars and courses (excludes group mentoring sessions, and onsite course like this one in San Diego). But because ALL ACCESS members are so special, please email us ([email protected]) and we are happy to send you a $50 discount coupon code for the San Diego onsite course.
Past participants' experiences
Melissa Belcher
MSPT, Capp-OB
"The movement system courses I find valuable in the combination of lecture and patient cases of the various syndromes and potential corrections. This is really the root of what we should be doing as PTs and it's exciting to take part and improve my practice."
Marisa Taylor
PT, DPT
"Maiko has a deep understanding of movement system syndromes and an engaging, down-to-earth teaching style that made the material easy to follow and apply. I felt feeling more confident in my clinical reasoning and better equipped to treat movement dysfunctions. I would absolutely recommend this course to other clinicians looking to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills."
Joan Vicente
PT, DPT, OCS
"Dr. Maiko Morotani's teaching approach to movement system syndromes is both insightful and engaging. Her ability to break down complex concepts into easily understandable lessons makes learning enjoyable and effective. With extensive expertise in the movement system, she elucidates complex topics with clarity and precision, ensuring that learners gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Her courses are enriched with real-life patient examples, utilizing photos and videos to focus on functional outcomes, which significantly enhances the learning experience."
