Mastering The Shoulder™ – Foundations & Frustrations

Limited to 20 Registrants

Shoulder PT and Mastering The Shoulder™ Series presents Shoulder Foundations & Frustrations – a complete diagnostic course for the shoulder combined with two of the most challenging and common clinical problems – rotator cuff tears and adhesive capsulitis.

This two day course is presented in person with additional practical time for exercise and manual therapy components.

• A complete system for clinical shoulder diagnosis, including severity classifications and interpretation of radiology
• Specific protocols for all severities of rotator cuff tears – non-surgical and surgical
• Specific protocols for adhesive capsulitis, covering all severities, with integration of injection work, manual therapy and exercise strategies
• A full update on changes in current practice and special tests of the shoulder

OTTAWA – MAY 2ND & 3RD, 2026

DAY 1 

You’ll learn key diagnostic skills, specific examination techniques and understand how to interpret shoulder radiology correctly. Practice key tests, understand their uses and accuracy,  and learn how to rank patient problems based on shoulder pathology, injury or movement disorder.

We’ll cover recommended special tests, ideal combinations and some novel special tests developed in specialty practice. The day continues with specific grading tests for cuff tears and capsulitis and a comprehensive look at shoulder differentials.

DAY 2

Cuff Tears – Here we’ll discuss how to correctly interpret imaging information, terminology and matching radiological with clinical cuff grading. We dive into recommended physiotherapy management using exercise and manual therapy as primary options. As part of this topic, we’ll also look at maximizing surgical outcomes in all phases of recovery. Over 1000 clinical cases to draw from in specialty practice.

Adhesive Capsulitis – You’ll learn examination and grading for capsulitis,  copycat disorders and work through the eight week recovery program that offers patients a high probability of return to sport and exercise. We’ll discuss the nuances of steroid management, when it’s indicated and how it should be applied (region, dose, repetition). Over 2500 clinical cases to draw from in specialty practice.

INSTRUCTOR – Cameron Bennett MSK PT, MPhty (MSK), BPhty, BSC. (Pharm).

MASTERING THE SHOULDER

THE CLINICIAN’S SERIES & SPECIALTY SERIES

Shoulder PT offers essential training for private practice physiotherapists, senior clinicians, teaching staff and extended scope practitioners.

Clinician’s Series:

• Level 1 – Shoulder Foundations & Frustrations
• Level 2 – The Unstable Shoulder
• Level 3 – The Athletic Shoulder

Specialty Series:

• Level 4 – The Complex Shoulder / CASP
• Level 5 – The Upper Quadrant

This is a unique opportunity to work through a series of levels to reach an advanced level of proficiency in solving shoulder disorders, including certification at Level 4.

FEEDBACK FROM PAST COURSES:

• ‘Lots of information covered that can be used tomorrow in clinic ! Will definitely change the way I assess and treat shoulders’ – Erin K., Calgary
• ‘Clinically relevant with actual protocols provided for conditions.’ – Janelle J., Calgary
• ‘The course provided practical knowledge that will change how I assess and treat shoulder pathologies.’ – Rachel W. PT, Calgary
• ‘Sheds new light on common disorders. First protocol I have seen for an exercise and education based program for adhesive capsulitis.’ – David R. PT, Calgary
• ‘Clear, simple guidelines to approach various different shoulder pathologies (I love the specificity!)’ – Kendra H. PT, Edmonton

Course Fee: $1,295 (Early Bird)

For a full course description and registration, view the course page.

Register at: www.ShoulderPT.ca

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Examination Skills

• Update your knowledge of current shoulder anatomy and important variants, pathology and important x-rays for the shoulder joint
• Improve your workflow – learn rapid  and comprehensive assessment skills for shoulder disorders
• Understand how to perform the recommended special tests and be able to explain the use and importance  of combining special tests

Diagnostic Accuracy

• Understand the nuances of special tests, combining negative and positive tests and what it means for the diagnosis
• Communicate effectively with specialists and surgeons for injection requests and surgical recommendations
• Appreciate the diversity of over 50 shoulder disorders and ways to differentiate MSK conditions

Managing Cuff Tears & Maximizing Repairs

• Understand the difference between US / MRI  findings and functional grading  of cuff tears for effective non-surgical rehabilitation
• Appreciate the use of injection work including orthobiologics & prolotherapy
• Understand the thresholds for surgical repair and pre-operative patient expectations
• Learn when to refer for surgical assessment and clinical insights for successful outcomes
• Be able to demonstrate the principles of post surgical recovery up to the 12 month rehabilitation goal
• Identify characteristics of surgical complications and revision surgeries

Adhesive Capsulitis – The 8 week program

• Describe the different capsular pathologies and disorders that mimic capsular signs
• Recognize the stages of capsulitis through serial examination and movement trends
• Recall the correct uses of imaging and co-morbidities that reduce movement progress
• Understand the principles of recovery and necessary progressions of treatment
• Appreciate the selective use and timing of soft tissue release techniques