1. Tell our newsletter community about yourself
While in high school I was encouraged by my anatomy teacher and track coach to consider a career in physical therapy, and after almost 30 years in the profession I have never regretted it! Living an active lifestyle, whether through running, cycling, skiing, swimming, or hiking has always been extremely important to me. A career in physical therapy has provided me and my family with the opportunity to enjoy this kind of lifestyle and to help others do the same.
2. How did you first become interested in the Mulligan Concept?
I attended my 1st Mulligan Concept course in 2003, which was taught by Brian Folk. I had been a PT for 8 years and received the Orthopedic Certified Specialist designation but had yet to hear of the Mulligan Concept or mobilizations with movement. Brian had such an engaging way of teaching that I could not help but be intrigued. It would take several more years before I completed the entire series of Mulligan Concept courses and became a Certified Mulligan Practitioner, but I immediately put into practice what I learned at that first course and never forgot the impact it made in my orthopedic physical therapy practice.
3. Tell us about your journey to becoming an MCTA teaching member
While serving as coordinator for continuing education at the large rehab clinic where I worked, I was able to bring the Mulligan Concept series in for 3 consecutive years. Leading up to the Advanced Course and CMP exam I led monthly study groups, which assisted several of our therapists becoming Certified Mulligan Practitioners. It was during this time I realized how passionate I felt about the concept and enjoyed teaching my colleagues. Over the next 5 years I assisted with Mulligan Concept courses with half a dozen different teachers in North America, which deepened my desire to become an MCTA teaching member. During that time, I also completed my fellowship training in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, becoming a FAAOMPT. Finally, after extensive, focused study and mentoring, I successfully passed my teacher's exam in 2024!
4. Why do you love teaching the Mulligan Concept?
Manual therapy and active movement/exercise have always been key foundational components to my approach to physical therapy. While traditional manual orthopedic physical therapy keeps these distinct and separate, the Mulligan Concept brings them together in a readily usable assessment and treatment approach. I have seen first-hand the positive impact this patient-centric approach has made in the lives of my patients, and I love sharing with other clinicians how they can provide similar experiences for their patients.
5. Why should someone consider taking a Mulligan Concept Course?
Every clinician who seeks to provide safe, evidence-informed care, performed in a pain-free manner, and that empowers the patient to become an active participant in their care should take a Mulligan Concept course. While the courses include clinical reasoning backed by research, they are lab-based and emphasize development of your manual handling skills. After completion of a Mulligan Concept course, you can immediately put into clinical practice the principles of the concept and the techniques.