• Date & Time

    September 13-14, 2025 Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (registration begins at 7:30am) Sunday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

  • Location

    Annapolis, MD

  • Registration: $599

    2nd & 3rd Yr PT Students: $349.00

NAIOMT COMT-3: Thoracic Spine

This is the third course in a series of 5 courses in the COMT certification.

This course utilizes case-based instruction to illustrate thoracic Spine and Rib-Cage conditions, and their advanced neurophysiological movement assessment. Coursework will focus on reason-based development of individualized examinations aimed at patient/client classification into: management of an initial diagnosis, progression to a specific neurophysiological movement examination, symptom/intervention/rule-based classification groupings, or referral to another health-care provider. Procedural interventions will include education, manual therapy techniques (including manipulation), and individualized neuromuscular rehabilitation prescription, with the goal of restoring normal function and preventing disability.
  • Course Details

    This course is 2 days on-site and 7 hours online. Participants will receive an e-link to online coursework 2 weeks prior to the course and to the onsite course materials 1 week prior to the course. Please watch for these links in your email inbox.

  • CEUs

    This course awards 21 CEUs in eligible states. See www.naiomt.com/ceus for details.

  • Refund Policy

    Refunds up to 30 days before event.

Instructor

DPT, DSc, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT

Michael Lehr

Dr. Lehr currently holds the faculty rank of associate professor at Messiah University, where he teaches human movement and musculoskeletal management in their entry level DPT program. His research interests include clinical reasoning for musculoskeletal management, foot and ankle management and injury risk, and has 29 peer reviewed scholarly products over his career. He has been primary investigator on over 70% of the studies he has been involved in and has incorporated his findings into his teachings within the curriculum and continuing education events. In addition, he has been lead instructor for 41 post-professional continuing education events at the state, regional, national, and international level. Most recently, He was recognized as a Fellow in Manual Therapy by AAOMPT in October 2021, In August 2020, he graduated with his Doctor of Science with a concentration in orthopedic manual therapy from Andrew’s University after defending his dissertation titled: “Comparison of Two Manual Therapy Techniques on the Short-term Impact on Ankle Dorsiflexion and Single limb Balance Performance: Clinical Implications on Injury Risk for Lateral Ankle Sprains in Collegiate Athletes”. In 2019 and 2017, he earned manual therapy certifications through NAIOMT. He was also appointed to the Specialty Academy of Content Experts in 2009, where he served for two terms. In 2006, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties recognized him as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. From 2009-2014, he served as an orthopedic residency instructor and mentor. In 2008, Temple University awarded him the Doctor of Physical Therapy. He earned his entry-level Master’s in Physical Therapy in 1999, after completing his Bachelor’s in Health Science from Lock Haven University in 1995. He has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the NSCA since 1999. In addition to an extensive orthopedic and sports medicine background in a variety of patient populations, Mike has had experience providing physical therapy on the PGA and LPGA Tours. In March of 2012, he worked with a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization by administering fundamental movement tests as part of an injury prevention initiative at spring training. Dr. Lehr has served in the capacity of consultant to individual professional athletes and performing artists, including the Rockettes medical staff, and a quarterback from the NFL. He has served as primary investigator in the area of fundamental movement testing and injury prediction, where he spear-headed a collaborative research project with the Olympic USA Field Hockey team." His mission is built upon a commitment to lifelong learning and serving his students and the patients they serve.

Course Partners

Some of NAIOMT's Partners Across the US

Course Organizer

The North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Inc. (NAIOMT) is a private physical therapist-owned organization dedicated to achieving the highest standards of clinical practice for manual physical therapists. NAIOMT specializes in a flexible teaching program, which seeks to promote the utilization of safe, effective and efficient manual physical therapy management of musculoskeletal dysfunction. It further seeks an environment that is conducive to the application of a reasoned approach to manual physical therapy through critical inquiry and the creation of new knowledge and skills based on scientific study and dissemination of that knowledge. NAIOMT strongly supports the union of the clinician, academician and researcher to further facilitate the development of quality patient care, physical therapy education and the development of master clinicians.
NAIOMT