Diagnosis and Management of Cervical Spine Disorders
Diagnosis and Management of Cervical Spine Disorders
Learn how to incorporate repeated movement assessment, end range loading exercises and manual therapy into clinical practice.
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Venue
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Vancouver, BC
October 3-4, 2026
8:00-6:00 (subject to change)
Venue: TBA
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Toronto, ON
October 17-18, 2026
8:00-6:00 (subject to change)
Venue: TBA
Description
This course will provide a systematic method of assessment and management of neck pain and associated upper extremity pain that relies on evidence, experience, and patient engagement. The course will focus on valid and reliable clinical assessment, classification, and decision making using the McKenzie Method of Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT).
The two-day program will blend lectures, demonstrations and live patient work-up designed to provide a firm foundation for learning and allow ready implementation of knowledge into daily patient care.
Course Objectives
By the completion of this program, participants will:
- Apply the comprehensive assessment and treatment of mechanical pain of the cervical spine according to the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)
- Use a reliable assessment and match clinical options to presented cases
- Recognize classification approaches with MDT and how to properly utilize a reductive loading strategy
- Apply knowledge regarding MDT classifications to case examples
- Recognize how and when to utilize baseline assessment tools in clinic
- Apply treatment strategies for different mechanical pain classifications
- Discuss the importance of patient education, word selection, goal setting, and exercise-based management
To successfully complete this course, participants are expected to participate in the following:
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In-depth discussions and real-world scenarios and cases
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Practical hands-on demonstrations of assessment and treatment utilizing end-range loading strategies
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Interactive Q&A sessions with the instructor
Who is this course for?
Practicing DC, PT, DO and other medical professionals interested in non-surgical cervical spine care (e.g., spine surgeon, PM&R)*
*This in-person immersive course is case-based, and attendees should have familiarity with MDT terminology and concepts. Accordingly, it is recommended that attendees complete the free online overview course: www.mckenzieinstituteusa.org/online-courses.cfm, or have completed the MDT Part A. You will need to set up an online account before accessing the free course.
The Outline
12 CEU Hours
Collapsible content
Day 1
8:00 - 9:00 AM Intro to mechanical assessment, classification, force progression
9:00 - 10:00 AM MDT classifications + pain phenotyping overlap
10:00 - 11:00 AM Case presentations + diagnostic reasoning
11:00 - 12:00 PM Hands-on cervical assessment lab
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 - 2:00 PM Patient work-up #1
2:00 - 3:00 PM Case-based Q&A / Grand rounds discussion
3:00 - 4:00 PM Patient work-up #2
4:00 - 5:00 PM Case review + hospital-based cases
Day 2
8:00 - 9:00 AM Review of day 1 & Research discussion
9:00 - 10:00 AM Patient #1 follow-up
10:00 - 11:00 AM EXPOSS research + cervical vs shoulder differentiation
11:00 - 12:00 PM Lab + patient #2 follow-up + grand rounds
Instructor
Dr. Thomas Lotus
DC, Cert.MDT, DIANM
Dr. Lotus completed his DC degree at National University of Health Sciences in 2003. He went on to earn his chiropractic orthopedics diplomate and McKenzie Diagnosis and Therapy credential and is currently completing his rehabilitation diplomate through the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board.
His extensive rehabilitation training includes a rotation at Motol Hospital in the Czech Republic under Drs. Pavel Kolar and Karel Lewit, where he learned advanced techniques in dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS).
Dr. Lotus is currently a chiropractic physician with Midwest Orthopedics at Rusch University Medical Center and is co-director of the non-surgical spine care division. He provides patient assessment, treatment and triage service and assists orthopedic resident and fellow training in non-surgical spine care.
He is a past faculty member at the Lincoln School of Post-Professional Education, where he taught courses on pain classification, non-surgical orthopedics, rehabilitation, biomechanics, and pain management. He is currently and adjunct faculty at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Science where he provided instruction for the Primary Spine Practitioner Program.
Dr. Lotus co-authored chapter 11 on Therapeutic Exercise in the 2018 Orthopedic Knowledge Update and the chapter on The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in the 3rd edition of Rehabilitation of the Spine by Craig Liebenson, DC.
