PHTA 1243 Manual Therapy for the PTA Syllabus 010 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 1 Clinical/Lab Hours 4
Type of Credit
CIP Code
51.0806
Course Meeting Time

This class meets: Wednesday: Lecture: 8a-8:50a; Lab: 9:00a-12:45p

Course Description
This course introduces students to the concepts and skills of the manual techniques utilized by the physical therapist assistant. Laboratory practice will allow for safe and effective hands-on application of selected techniques including: palpation of body landmarks, muscles, and other soft tissues; soft-tissue mobilization; joint mobilization; and therapeutic massage.
Prerequisites
PHTA-1103, PHTA 1115 and BIOL 2644
Explanation of Course Alignment

Advanced Beginner: At this level, performance in required concepts and skills is performed given simple and less prescriptive patient scenarios in a controlled laboratory setting.

The student demonstrates progression toward proficiency by demonstrating consistency with simple concepts (90%), requires 25% supervision in clinical problem solving, interventions, and related data collection of newly learned concepts and desired behaviors. Student completes task in the allotted time provided. Safety is not compromised.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Kim Libby PT, DPT
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8816
Faculty Office Number
M132
Faculty Student Support Hours

Monday 1-2

Wednesday: 1-2

Thursday: 12-1

Faculty Information

Kim Libby PT, DPT 
T: 815-802-8816 / F: 815-839-5200
E: klibby@kcc.edu

Adjunct: Jill Hills 
E: jhills@kcc.edu

Course Information

Textbook/s and Course Materials
AuthorTitleEditionYearISBNPublisher
Required 
  1. Biel A
Trail Guide to the Body

6th

2019

9780998785066

Books of Discovery

  1. Kisner and Colby
Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques

8th

2023

9781719640473

F.A. Davis

  1. PhysioU
Program will purchase this

 

 

 

 

  1. EHRgo
Program will purchase this

 

 

 

 

Methods of Evaluation

Methods of Assessment

Attendance/ Class ParticipationXIndividual Projects and Presentations 
Case Study/ScenariosXPractical DemonstrationX
Exams/TestsXWritten AssignmentsX
Group Projects and PresentationsxQuizzesX
Papers Comprehensive FinalX
Course Policies

The policies and procedures of this course will follow policies and standards outlined in the College Catalog, Health Careers Guidebook as well as the PTA Student Guidebook. All work should reflect the student's efforts. Group collaboration is encouraged; however, each student must demonstrate personal competence and individual expression in all work submitted to be graded.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Assignments:

 

Videos: The videos' purpose is to allow you to have a visual demonstration before lab class, watch, and get a better understanding of the body's muscles. The Trail Guide videos are well done and go over the O, I, A, N of each muscle, along with giving an external view of where and how the muscle can be found on the human body. It is the responsibility of the student to watch these videos before class and come prepared for lab. The lab will pick up in the Palpation of the muscles with the expectation that the students are familiar with the O, I, A, N, and general orientation of the muscle.

Lab: All labs are to be read before class, and all materials needed, including appropriate attire, should be brought with the student to class. During the lab, everyone will be required to have appropriate lab attire. If you are not dressed appropriately, you will not be allowed to participate in the lab, and you will lose the points for that lab class. Please review the lab dress code in the Student Guidebook. Every lab is designed to increase your skills in Palpation, soft tissue, and joint mobilization

Lab Assignments and Other Projects/Assignments: Assignments give opportunities to practice and apply what is learned in class/lab and benefit the student. Detailed instructions regarding assignments, including lab assignments, will be presented in handouts or on Canvas. The student will have sufficient time to complete projects by due dates. Assignments may be posted on Canvas and submitted through a drop-box, or the instructor may request a hard copy. Lab assignments will cover major topics or units and may span several lecture/lab sessions. Collaboration and group work are encouraged; however, each student must demonstrate individual knowledge and understanding of the material and his/her ability for critical thinking. If a lab assignment is to be handwritten, all work must be neat, legible, and professionally submitted.

Guest Lecturer Paper: The student is to find a peer-reviewed research article about the topic. They are to summarize the article and their opinion as to how it may be used in the PT clinic. The article must be cited using AMA formatting throughout the paper and as a reference. Please see the rubric for specific criteria.

Entry-Level Skills Checklist: In courses with a patient skills component, an Entry-Level Skills Checklist is used to evaluate each student’s knowledge, skill and safety in basic procedures and overall competency in that skill; successful completion is required prior to participating in the laboratory practical, and absolutely before participating in clinical education experiences. Entry-level Skills Checklists are not graded, thus allowing for critical feedback from peers and the faculty on the student’s current skill level. It is the student’s responsibility to see that the skill is assessed/evaluated and completed by the designated date (typically the end of the unit) and turned in completed by the respective laboratory practical exam. If the Entry-Level Skills Checklist is not turned in, the student will receive a grade of “F” for the course and not progress within the program. The Entry-Level Skills Checklists are retained in the student’s file in the PTA program.

  • Joint Mobilization
  • Palpation of Bony Landmarks
  • Soft Tissue Palpation/ Mobilization

Classroom/ Online Behavior: Please refer to the the Student Guidebook for Profession Behaviors 

Course Calendar
Class/DATE

TOPIC

Week 1

 

Lecture: History of Manual Therapy, Principles of preparation for Orthopaedic Manual PT (OMPT), Traditional Approaches, Intro to palpation, STM, ASTYM, Graston

Lab: Purpose and techniques of Palpation; Review ongoing assignment: Palpation/ STM

Week 2

 

Exam 1 on History, principles of STM and assisted STM Room:

Lab: Palpation of the bony landmarks, muscles, and ligaments of the Pelvis, Thigh and Knee

Week 3

 

Lecture: Joint Mobilization

Pre Lab: Before Class

Lab: joint mobilization techniques of the hip/knee

Week 4

 

Pre Lab: Before Class

Lab: Palpation of the bony landmarks and muscles of the ankle and foot.

Week 5

 

Pre Lab: Before Class

Lab: Joint mobilization techniques of the ankle and foot

Week 6

 

Exam 2 on LE Room:

Lab: review Palpation and Joint mobilization (complete any check offs prior to the lab practical), Ankle Cases

Week 7

 

Midterm Lab practical

Week 8

 

Pre Lab: Before Class

Lab: Palpation of the bony landmarks and muscles of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar

Spring Break March 10-14

Week 10

 

Lecture: Mobilization of the spine

Lab: Joint mobilization of Spine and SI joint

Week 11

 

Lab: Palpation of the bony landmarks, muscles and ligaments of the shoulder girdle

Week 12

 

Lab: Joint mobilization of shoulder girdle – start cases

Week 13

 

Lab: joint mobilization of the shoulder girdle and Review for Exam 3

Week 14

 

Practical: Spine and Shoulder

Lab: Palpation of the bony landmarks, muscles and ligaments of the forearm and hand

Week 15

 

Lab: Joint mobilization of the elbow, wrist and hand

Week 16

 

Review and finish all ELSC

May 5

Comprehensive Practical with Modalities

Week 17

May 6

Grounds Clean Up

May 12 or 13

Finals Week

8am-10am

Comprehensive Presentation and Exam

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.