About the course

Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint in clinical practice, yet many clinicians still rely on special tests that can't reliably isolate structures, default to the same rotator cuff protocol regardless of presentation, and overlook cervical and thoracic contributions hiding in plain sight. This course changes that. You'll learn to classify shoulder presentations using the STAR framework, integrate regional assessment of the cervical and thoracic spine into every shoulder evaluation, and develop condition-specific management strategies grounded in current clinical practice guidelines. From frozen shoulder staging and instability rehabilitation to navigating the evidence on full-thickness rotator cuff tears and knowing when GIRD actually matters, each module connects directly to the patients on your caseload. Through self-paced modules combining podcast episodes, peer-reviewed articles, and clinical practice guidelines, you'll build the clinical reasoning to confidently evaluate shoulder presentations, choose the right intervention for the right patient at the right time, and recognize the red flags that don't fit the pattern.

Who This Course Is For

Physical therapists who see shoulder pain every week and want to move past special tests and one size fits all rotator cuff protocols to a clear classification and treatment framework.

Meet Your Faculty: Dr. Alex Feitz

I completed my Doctor of Physical Therapy at Idaho State University, followed by an orthopedic residency through A.T. Still University. I also completed an orthopedic fellowship through Regis University. My clinical focus is on treating extremity conditions, with additional training in dry needling, thrust manipulation, diagnostic ultrasound, and EMG. The shoulder is the joint where clinicians most often default to the same rotator cuff protocol regardless of what's actually in front of them, partly because special tests rarely deliver the clarity they promise, partly because cervical and thoracic contributions are easy to miss. As someone who runs trails and does CrossFit, I've also lived on the other side of these conversations. This course is built around the classification systems, regional assessment, and clinical practice guidelines that turn a confusing shoulder evaluation into a treatment plan you can defend.  

Curriculum

12 Chapters · 46 Lessons

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Course Structure

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      Course Playlist

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      Pre-Assessment Directions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Reading

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      Required Listening

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Reading

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      Required Listening

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Viewing

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      Required Reading

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      Required Listening

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Listening

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Reading

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Reading

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      Required Listening

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Reading

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      Study Questions

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      Overview

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      Learning Objectives

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      Required Reading

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      Required Listening

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      Study Questions

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      Guess the Diagnosis

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      Post-Assessment Directions

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      Post-Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course self-paced? Yes. You work through the modules online, on your own schedule. What is included? 12 chapters and 46 lessons, with podcast episodes, peer-reviewed articles, and clinical practice guidelines. What topics does it cover? Shoulder Examination, Regional Impacts on Shoulders, Frozen Shoulder, Shoulder Instability, Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD), Rotator Cuff-Related Pain, Shoulder Arthritis, and Red Flags. Who teaches it? Dr. Alex Feitz, PT, DPT, OCS, a board certified orthopaedic specialist with fellowship training in orthopaedic manual therapy. How do I get started? Click Enroll now and complete checkout. The course will then appear in your ACE account.

Stop Collecting Shoulder Techniques. Start Building Shoulder Confidence

A clinical reasoning framework you can apply to the patients already on your schedule

$297.00

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