OT COURSES

Upper Quadrant Manual Therapy Courses for OTs

Advanced Clinical Skills for Occupational Therapists

NAIOMT's OT courses are designed to elevate your upper quadrant manual therapy skills — from cervical spine screening to shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand treatment. All participants begin with C-406 Foundations of Musculoskeletal Occupational Therapy, whether taking individual courses for continuing education or pursuing the full CMOT Certification. Start with the foundation and go as far as you'd like.

2027-2028 Schedule View Upcoming Courses Course Details Meet the Instructors

What You'll Learn

Build advanced upper quadrant skills to more effectively treat patients. The first three courses can be taken individually — no certification commitment required.

Advanced Manual Techniques

Develop hands-on skills specifically designed for upper quadrant treatment, from cervical spine to distal extremity.

Differential Diagnosis

Strengthen your ability to make musculoskeletal differential diagnoses and screen for serious pathology requiring medical referral.

Integrated Upper Quadrant

Learn to integrate the entire upper quadrant — cervical spine, shoulder girdle, elbow, wrist, and hand — for comprehensive patient care.

Flexible Course Path

The first 3 courses (C-416, C-426, C-436) can be taken in any order as standalone learning. No commitment to the full series required.

Complex Patient Management

Develop skills to manage complex conditions including double crush syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, cancer, and more.

Optional CMOT Certification

Want to go further? Complete all 5 courses, an oral exam, and a case study to earn your CMOT Certification.

2027-2028 CMOT Schedule

March 6-7, 2027: Foundations of Musculoskeletal Occupational Therapy for the Upper Quadrant (OT 406)
May 5-6, 2027: Screening for Cervical Spine Pathology for Occupational Therapist (OT 416)
August 21-22, 2027: Functional Shoulder Girdle for Occupational Therapist (OT 426)
October 23-24, 2027: The Distal Upper Extremity (OT 436)
February 19-20, 2028: Integration of the Upper Quadrant for Occupational Therapist (OT 446)
April 1-2, 2028: Upper Quadrant Skills and Techniques (OT 456)
May 13, 2028: Case Study Due
June 17, 2028: Oral Practical

Upcoming OT Courses

Click on a course below to see full details and register

C-446 Integration of the Upper Quadrant for OT's

This course will utilize case-based instruction to illustrate specific conditions of the integrated upper quadrant and the decision... View Full Description

Dallas, TX

03/25/2026

Jason Winburne, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

C-456 Upper Quadrant Skills and Techniques for OT's

The Occupational Therapist entry level education does not emphasize manual/manipulative techniques of the upper quadrant. Therefore a course... View Full Description

Dallas, TX

05/30/2026

Michael Lucido, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT/Jason Winburne, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Course Details

Start with C-406, then take additional courses for CE or pursue full CMOT Certification

C-406

Foundations of Musculoskeletal Occupational Therapy

Required First Course

Every great clinician starts with a strong foundation. C-406 is the required first course for occupational therapists entering NAIOMT's musculoskeletal curriculum — setting you up for success in every course that follows.

This 14-hour hybrid intensive is designed specifically for licensed occupational therapists in outpatient musculoskeletal settings. You'll complete 7 hours of live, in-person instruction alongside 7 hours of flexible online learning — including recorded lectures, readings, and quizzes — all built around your busy schedule.

The curriculum focuses on the foundational skills that matter most in MSK practice: palpation, surface anatomy, contractile testing, tissue end feels, and understanding the neuromuscular patterns behind pain and movement dysfunction.

Take it as a standalone course to sharpen your clinical skills, or use it as your launching pad toward NAIOMT's CMOT certification for occupational therapists.

14 Hours Total 7 Hours Online 7 Hours In-Person

After C-406: C-416, C-426, and C-436 can be taken in any order and work as standalone courses. If you decide to pursue CMOT certification, they count toward your credential.

C-416

Screening for Cervical Spine Pathology

Standalone or Certification

Case-based course addressing patho-anatomy and clinical recognition patterns of the cervical spine. Learn to arrive at sound clinical impressions and when to refer to a physical therapist.

21 Hours Total 7 Hours Online 14 Hours In-Person

C-426

The Functional Girdle

Standalone or Certification

Dedicated to management and treatment of the Shoulder Girdle and related structures (SC/AC/Scapulothoracic/Glenohumeral). Learn step-by-step examination leading to pain generators.

21 Hours Total 7 Hours Online 14 Hours In-Person

C-436

The Distal Upper Extremity

Standalone or Certification

Comprehensive examination and treatment of elbow/forearm/wrist and hand. Master musculoskeletal examination including stress testing and biomechanical assessment.

21 Hours Total 7 Hours Online 14 Hours In-Person

C-446

Integration of the Upper Quadrant

Certification Track

Case-based instruction for advanced clinical reasoning. Move beyond initial diagnoses to detailed exploration of etiology including neural tissue and cervical/thoracic biomechanics.

21 Hours Total 7 Hours Online 14 Hours In-Person

Prerequisites: C-406, C-416, C-426, C-436

C-456

Upper Quadrant Skills & Techniques

Certification Track

Refinement of manual/manipulative techniques for implementation of NAIOMT Upper Quadrant theory. Includes preparation and discussion for the oral practical exam.

14 Hours Total 2 Days On-Site

Prerequisites: C-406, C-416, C-426, C-436, C-446

Want to Earn Your CMOT Certification?

Complete all six courses, submit a case study, and pass an oral practical exam (C-430) to earn the Certified Manual Occupational Therapist (CMOT) credential. Certification is entirely optional — starting with C-406, then you can take the next three courses on their own as standalone continuing education.

Learn About CMOT Certification

Meet Our Expert Faculty

Learn from experienced FAAOMPT clinicians and educators

Michael Lucido

PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Faculty Instructor, Clinical Fellowship Instructor

[TX]

Jason Winburne

PT, MS, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT

Faculty Instructor, Clinical Fellowship Instructor

[TX]

View All Faculty

The NAIOMT OT courses have transformed how I approach upper quadrant patients. The foundational skills from C-406 and the progression through cervical spine, shoulder, and distal extremity gave me the confidence to treat complex conditions. I completed the series and earned my CMOT certification — it was worth every hour.

Occupational Therapist CMOT, Outpatient MSK Practice

Your Complete Pathway to Mastery in Physical Therapy

NAIOMT provides a complete, seamless post-professional education pathway for physical therapists wanting to become experts in clinical reasoning. From individual courses to certification programs, residency, and fellowship—we help manual physical therapists achieve the highest standards of clinical practice.

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Questions about your pathway? Contact us here

What Our Students Say

Real Results from Real Therapists

I recently attended the COMT-5 Lower Extremity Manual Therapy course and it exceeded my expectations. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, and the course content was thorough and practical. The course has improved my manipulation and exercise skills, and I'm seeing immediate changes in my practice.

The COMT-1 Lumbar Spine Manual Therapy course was an excellent opportunity for me to refine my skills in differential diagnosis, manipulation, and exercise techniques. The course content was well-organized, and the instructors were engaging and supportive. I saw immediate changes in my practice.

The Trigger Point Dry Needling course exceeded my expectations. The instructors were passionate and experienced, and the course content was both informative and practical. The course has improved my clinical reasoning skills and I'm confident in my ability to use dry needling as an effective treatment modality.

I recently completed the COMT-4 Upper Extremity Manual Therapy course, and it was an incredible experience. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, and the course content was well-organized and detailed. The practical exercises were challenging but rewarding.

As a physical therapist, attending the COMT-2 Cervical Spine Manual Therapy course was a game-changer. The course content was comprehensive and well-structured. I've gained new insights into the cervical spine's anatomy, and the techniques I learned have helped me provide better care to my patients.

Attending the COMT-3 Thoracic Spine Manual Therapy course was a fantastic learning experience for me. The instructors were supportive and caring, and the course content was well-organized and comprehensive. I gained new skills in differential diagnosis and exercise techniques.