MT-1: Essential Peripheral Seminar 2026

MT-1: Essential Peripheral Seminar is organized by Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS) and will be held from Sep 26 - 27, 2026 in Lake Mohegan, New York, United States of America.

Description:
Participants are presented with peer-reviewed published evidence supporting the mechanical, neurophysiological, immunological, and psychological mechanisms of action of OMT. Evidence from recent Systematic Reviews and RCTs are presented through an online video PowerPoint presentation to illustrate the effectiveness of the approach, and specific conditions that respond to OMT. Course modules include:

• Lecture Overview and Introduction
• Mechanisms of Action of OMT
• Evidence for OMT Effectiveness
• Maitland Principles
• Subjective Examination & Physical Examination
• Clinical Applications: Evidence for techniques, conditions that they treat, and how to incorporate them into clinical practice

The Maitland-Australian approach, based on the Maitland Concept is extremely patient-centric and focuses upon highly specific subjective & objective physical examination processes. Clinical Reasoning and constant reassessment are taught and emphasized. Methods of assessment and treatment are practiced extensively in lab sessions (53% of total course hours and 95% of the live laboratory). Techniques taught include: active physiological, passive physiological, passive accessory, and combination movements. Both osteokinematic and arthrokinematic movements are incorporated. Psychomotor skill acquisition is ensured by detailed Instructor feedback given directly to each participant throughout the course. “LIVE” patient assessments and treatments are presented where permitted. Regions extensively covered include: Shoulder (Gleno/Humeral, Scapulo/Thoracic, and A/C, S/C Clavicular articulations), Elbow, Wrist, Hand, and Fingers. In the lower limb the Hip, Knee Complex, and the Ankle-Foot-Toes complex, and NAD – Neurodynamic assessment. The bound manual includes detailed step-by-step instructions for each technique with more than 422 photographs. Over 900 references are provided. Required online coursework through MAPS Online Learning of approximately 17.4 hours includes a 6.7 hour Video Lecture/PowerPoint presentation.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course the participant will be able to:

• Accurately differentiate between normal and abnormal resistance to passive peripheral movement using accessory & physiological examination techniques. Demonstrate at least one example. PTAs, ATs, OTs and COTAs are limited to using physiological movement examination techniques only, and may not use accessory techniques.
• Discriminate between four different grades of passive movement to manage peripheral pathology (Grades I, II, III, and IV as per Maitland). PTAs, ATs, OTs and COTAs may observe all four grades, but are prohibited from performing Grades III and IV.
• Accurately apply at least two examples of Maitland’s four grades of passive movement to a participant-selected peripheral region. PTAs, ATs, OTs and COTAs are limited to Grades I & II. 
• Summarize Maitland’s clinical reasoning model, including eight clinical hypothesis categories per M. Jones and D. Rivett.
• Apply evidence-based clinical reasoning in the orthopedic manual therapy management of a patient with peripheral pathology. Learner will demonstrate at least once.
• Synthesize principles of treating pain and stiffness as per Maitland and other manual P.T.s. Participant will orally defend at least one example.
• Accurately defend the most effective orthopedic manual therapy management of a patient with a peripheral disorder based upon clinical assessment and clinical reasoning, rather than theoretical protocols, including the anticipated impact on the patient’s functional goals/outcomes and/or activities of daily living. Learner will demonstrate at least once through participation in class discussion of live patient evaluation and/or during the hands-on laboratory.
• Integrate clinical reasoning skills to recognize movement anomalies in one selected common peripheral orthopedic condition.
• Integrate evaluation skills in differential assessment and diagnosis of one selected common peripheral orthopedic condition. Objective applies to PTs, DCs, MDs and DOs only.
• Demonstrate the ability to quickly and effectively manage peripheral orthopedic conditions using at least one known manual therapy technique.
• Accurately defend at least one modified or newly created effective manual therapy technique for the management of peripheral orthopedic conditions. Participant will demonstrate their modified or newly developed technique at least once.