Register Now!

Note: When you fill out the registration form, you will be redirected to a new page to make a payment.
You must make the payment to complete your registration.

Integrating Manual Muscle Testing, Applied Kinesiology, and Osteopathic Manipulation: Managing Musculoskeletal Problems and Optimizing Motor Function

Course Instructors: 

Jay Sandweiss D.O. and Paul Shapiro M.D.

Workshop Dates:

Saturday: February 28, 2026 9:00am — 6:00pm
Sunday: March 1, 2026 8:30am - 4:30pm

Pending approval, attendees will be able to receive up to 15 hours of CME or CEU credits

Location:

Team Rehabilitation 3520 Green Ct, Suite 1200, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Intended Audience:

Licensed Health Professionals including: Osteopathic Physicians, Medical Doctors, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Certified Athletic Trainers, and Certified Massage Therapists.

Course Description:

Drs. Shapiro and Sandweiss will lecture and demonstrate effective manual techniques for resolving somatic dysfunction problems of the low back, pelvis, cervical, thoracic, TMJ, and extremity areas. Attendees will receive a copy of Dr. Shapiro's newly published book: Manual Treatment of Neuromusculoskeletal Dysfunctions: The Shapiro Method. They will also receive a bound copy of Dr. Sandweiss's PowerPoint slides and written pearls to learn valuable and effective treatment techniques that manages common conditions across multiple body regions. All participants will have the opportunity to practice these methods individually and in group settings through a hands-on approach. Some examples of diagnosis and treatment procedures that will be demonstrated include: Rotator cuff, Tennis elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Greater Trochanteric Bursitis, and Plantar Fasciitis. During the afternoon session of Day 2, attendees will be given an opportunity to make special requests regarding the diagnosis and treatment of body regions they wish to learn more about.

Course Outline

DAY 1 (Saturday, February 28, 2026) – 9:00am – 6:00pm

8:30 – 9:00am: Registration, Sign-in, and Breakfast

9:00 - 9:30am: Course Introduction & Overview (Lecture)
Each instructor shares their experience with using manual muscle testing to identify locations of somatic dysfunction

9:30 – 10:15am: Introduction to The Applied Kinesiology Approach to Muscle Testing (Lecture)
Dr. Sandweiss will introduce students to core concepts including the Triad of Health developed by Dr. George Goodheart, and demonstrate manual muscle testing techniques he utilizes in his treatment of patients.

10:15 – 11:00am: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)
Students will work in small groups to practice manual muscle testing for the shoulder.

11:00- 11:45am: Introduction to Basic Concepts Underlying the Shapiro Method (Lecture)

Introduce students to concepts of neurogenic inhibition of muscle activity as a result of somatic dysfunctions. 

11:45 – 12:30pm: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)

Students will work in pairs to practice manual muscle testing to identify the level of dysfunction from C1-T4.

12:30 - 1:30pm: LUNCH

1:30 – 2:00pm: Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing and Treatment Modalities for Muscle Inhibitions
PowerPoint lecture explaining the use of Chapman’s reflexes, Bennett reflexes, muscle spindle cell, and golgi tendon techniques. 

2:00 – 3:00pm: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)
Students practice muscle testing for knee and ankle regions. If weakness is found, then they use treatment techniques presented in lecture.

3:00 – 3:15pm: Small Group Discussion

3:15 – 4:00pm: Discussion of Pain Concepts and Treatment Considerations (Lecture)

4:00 – 5:00pm: Practice Set: Manual Muscle Testing and Introduction to Treatments (Supervised Practice)
Students will work in pairs to practice muscle testing for mid to low back, pelvis, lower extremities, and a variety of treatment techniques. 

5:00 – 6:00pm: Introduction to Applied Kinesiology Approach to Low Back and Pelvis (Lecture)

Attendees will practice manual muscle testing for muscles in the lumbar, sacral, and pelvic regions. If inhibited muscles are found, treatment techniques will be applied to assess effectiveness of restoring muscle strength. 

6:00pm: End of Day 1

DAY 2 (Sunday, March 1, 2026) 8:30am – 4:30pm

8:00 - 8:30am: Sign-in and Breakfast

8:30 – 9:00am: Review of Day 1 Material (Lecture)
During this time, we will invite students to share questions or insights related to content learned on Day 1. Students may request that specific clinical conditions be addressed. 

9:00 - 9:45am: Coupled Dysfunctions (Lecture) 

9:45 – 10:30am: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)
Students will practice testing for and treating coupled dysfunctions

10:30 - 11:00am: Applied Kinesiology Approach to the Cervical Spine and TMJ areas (Lecture)
Students will learn how to use muscle testing procedures to evaluate dysfunction in the cervical region and a screening test to identify TMJ dysfunction.

11:00 – 12:00pm: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)
An algorithm for identifying TMJ dysfunctions is practiced. All major neck muscles are tested for inhibition patterns. 

12:00 – 1:00pm: LUNCH

1:00 – 1:30pm: Considerations in Structuring a Clinical Examination and Post Treatment Considerations (Lecture)
Students will learn of symptom generated plans for assessment and treatment.

1:30 - 2:45pm: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)
Students will work in pairs to practice muscle testing based on a variety of clinical presentations, practice treatments, and post treatment assessments.

2:45 - 3:00pm: Break

3:00 – 4:15pm: Practice Set: (Supervised Practice)
Students will work in pairs to practice using applied kinesiology screening procedures to identify cranial dysfunctions, fascial stretch weakness, emotional stress dysfunction, left brain vs right brain imbalances, and body module disorders using Pitch-Roll-Yaw-Tilt (PRYT) screening test.

4:15 – 4:30pm: Wrap Up (Q&A)
Wrap up the course and answer questions related to content learned and integration of content into the clinic flow right away. 

 

Registration and Pricing:

Note: When you fill out the registration form online, you will be redirected to a new page to make a payment via Square. You must make the payment to complete your registration. Please call Dr. Sandweiss's office at 734-995-1880 with any questions.

$1000 USD: If registered on or before February 14, 2026.
$1250 USD: If registered on or after February 15, 2026.

A catered breakfast and lunch will be provided both days.

Course Objectives: 

  • Understand the fundamental principles of diagnosis and several techniques used to perform osteopathic manipulative treatment
  • Appreciate the role of manual muscle testing to diagnose dysfunctions of the neuromusculoskeletal system that cause patients' conditions and complaints
  • Practice these manual tests for all regions presented in the course
  • Practice a series of palpation techniques that specifically identify where the patient needs treatment
  • Learn a variety of nutritional pearls that correlate synergistically with patient conditions and manual treatment protocols presented during this course

Nearby Hotel Options:

Residence In by Mariott
3535 Green Ct, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 327-0011

DoubleTree Hilton Ann Arbor
3600 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Instructor Biographies:

Jay Sandweiss D.O.

Jay Sandweiss D.O. offers over 47 years of clinical experience as a multi-faceted physician/healer and master course instructor. Since 1979, Dr. Sandweiss has presented his knowledge and skills nationally and internationally to audiences that have included: medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, certified massage therapists, and other health professionals. 
His courses integrate manual muscle testing and skilled palpation with comprehensive osteopathic and functional medicine algorithms that effectively diagnose and treat complex patient presentations. Attendees are offered a rich variety of manual medicine techniques for resolving somatic dysfunctions throughout the body. Numerous nutritional pearls are offered for the treatment of common clinical disorders. 
Over the past 37 years, Dr. Sandweiss has practiced medicine as an osteopathic physician, board certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and medical acupuncture. His avid interests and study of functional/nutritional medicine allows him to also look at problems through a nutritional/metabolic lens that explores cellular and hormonal physiology, while simultaneously assessing the more macro-ergonomic effects of somatic dysfunctions on a disrupted anatomy. 

Since 1974, Dr. Sandweiss has been practicing and teaching several martial arts including Karate, Kung Fu, and Aikido. From 1977 to 1978, he studied abroad with famous Karate and Kung Fu grandmasters based in Taiwan and Okinawa. In May 2024, Dr. Sandweiss presented a series of martial arts seminars in Atlanta, Georgia. His martial arts training has provided him with a refined kinesthetic awareness and insight into kinesiology and body language. Thus, Dr. Sandweiss brings to his courses a unique blend of approaches for managing diverse health conditions including pain, stress, and musculoskeletal dysfunctions. At the office, he is a "one- stop shop" offering his patients osteopathic manipulation, medical acupuncture, functional medicine, nutrition, exercise prescription, and basic family medicine.

Dr. Sandweiss has been on the Ann Arbor Film Festival Board of Directors since 2021. He is Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary film: WELCOME TO COMMIE HIGH and is a continuous supporter of creative arts.

Paul Shapiro M.D. 

Paul was born and raised in Tarrytown, N.Y. After graduating from public high school, he attended the University of Michigan, receiving a B.A. in Mathematics in 1972. In 1974, he enrolled in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, receiving an M.D. degree in 1978. 

Internship/ Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan was completed in 1981. In 1982, he began working in a practice at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (now named Trinity Health Ann Arbor) in Ann Arbor, MI. He was a founding member of Associates in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, from which he retired in 2021.

His interest in osteopathic concepts was piqued by exposure to manual treatments during his residency training. His pursued this interest with further education and training in post-graduate courses, gradually incorporating manual treatments into his office practice.

He is an original member of a bluegrass music band, the RFD Boys, which formed in 1969, playing the bass fiddle. The current roster includes 3 of the original members.