Join Our Team
Improved Manual Therapy Skills
Orthopedic manual therapy refers to the management of acute and chronic conditions affecting the nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage through hands-on treatments.
Methods include muscle stretching, muscle energy activation technique, dry needling and passive movements of the affected body part. Certified physical therapists use clinical reasoning, therapeutic exercises and highly specific manual techniques, including soft tissue and joint manipulation to improve mobilization.
How to Become a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
The International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM) offers a post-graduate specialty program to physical and occupational therapists looking to improve their manual therapy skills. It teaches evidence-supported and patient-centered approaches to orthopedic manual therapy, while emphasizing advanced clinical reasoning.
Depending on the musculoskeletal problem, students will learn techniques for soft tissue and joint mobilization, as well as exercises to help resolve the issue. IAOM-US offers two COMT recognitions to current members who have completed COMT for Hand and Upper Extremity Specialists, COMT Spine, COMT Lower Extremity and COMT Upper Extremity:
- General musculoskeletal (MSK) COMT for the spine and peripheral joints
- Hand and upper extremity track (UE Track) COMT for the upper quarter
After passing the online written examination and virtual or in-person practical examination,
students will become Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapists (COMT). These professionals are recognized as highly skilled clinicians who achieve optimal rehabilitation outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction.
To learn more about orthopedic manual therapy at Integrated Rehab, contact us today!