EDUCATION INFORMATION
2025 amta South Dakota Fall Conference
October 24-25, 2025
Crossroads Conference Center
Huron, SD
With Presenter: Presented by Dr. Joe Muscolino
About Dr. Joe Muscolino
- Dr. Joe Muscolino developed LearnMuscles with the mission of providing a unique curriculum for manual therapists and movement professionals, sharing his four decades of knowledge and insight. Offering both practitioners and students training in what he wishes had been available during his early years – the integration of fundamental anatomy and physiology with critical thinking manual and movement therapy skills.
– Dr. Joe designs his coursework to teach therapists to critically think so that they are empowered to creatively employ their hands-on assessment and treatment skill sets.
He is a global lecturer, author of more than 90 articles, and has had multiple textbooks published by Elsevier and LWW that are used for both core curriculum and clinical practice references.
Class Description:
SD-AMTA is excited for Dr. Joe Muscolino to be presenting Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT): Low Back Pelvis. Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) for the Low Back and Pelvis covers the major clinical orthopedic assessment and treatment techniques for the lumbosacral region. This course is a 2-day hands-on workshop. Day one begins with orthopedic assessment for the common musculoskeletal (neuro-myo-fascio-skeletal) conditions of the sacroiliac joint and lumbar spine. We then cover body mechanics for deep pressure for working the lower back in prone and side-lying positions. With proper body mechanics, you will learn how the low back can be worked deeply with little effort. We also learn how to palpate and safely and effectively work the psoas major, both abdominal and femoral bellies, in multiple positions. We then discuss fundamental concepts of stretching, beginning with basic stretching for the functional muscle groups of the lower back and then learning how to target each specific muscle with multiplane stretching. Day two covers more advanced stretching. We begin with advanced neural inhibition stretching techniques, including Contract Relax (PNF/PIR), Agonist Contract (the basis for AIS), and Contract Relax Agonist Contract stretching techniques. We also cover pin and stretch technique. Day two concludes with Arthrofascial Stretching (AFS): Soft Tissue Joint Mobilization for Manual Therapists (including traction) for the lumbosacral spine. AFS is the only effective means of stretching the intrinsic fascia of specific hypomobilities of the lumbosacral spine. Clinical treatment strategy as well as precautions and contraindications are also 2 covered. These manual therapy skills will empower you to do effective clinical orthopedic work. Throughout this hands-on workshop, Dr. Joe Muscolino reinforces the underlying mechanisms for each of the assessment and treatment techniques, encouraging critical reasoning skills. Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy for the Low Back/Pelvis is part of larger Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) Certification. The other hands-on workshops in this series cover the neck, upper extremity, and lower extremity.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING
– Massage table with face cradle
– Bolster and pillow
– Sheets and face cradle cover
– King-sized pillow case, preferably flannel (or thin/threadbare bath-sized towel)
– Gym shorts (loose fitting; not spandex)
– Lotion/Balm
– Soft foam cushion (approx. 6×10 inches) or bath towel
Class size is Limited to __20__. *
*class size may not always have a limit
Schedule of Events/Detailed Class Schedule will be posted to social media and emailed prior to event.
REGISTRATION:
ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY. NO CHECKS ACCEPTED.
- Online Registration begins 8/15/25-9/13/25
- $395 for Amta members
- $455 for non-members
Click Below for Online Registration
if you are unable to register online you may call To register online via phone please call Chapter President
Amber Rasmussen 605-209-5003.
HOTEL BOOKING INFORMATION:
The Conference will be held at the:
Cross Roads Hotel Huron
Address: 100 4th St SW, Huron, SD 57350
Phone: (605) 352-3204
ROOM RESERVATIONS
Call for the Special Group block room rate of $149.00 plus tax and ask for the South Dakota Massage Therapy Association