The Movement System Syndromes of the Lumbar Spine

Shirley A. Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA is Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine - St. Louis, Missouri.  She received the BSPT, AM, and PhD in  Neurobiology from Washington University. She was the first director of the PhD program in Movement Science. She is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA and has received the Mary McMillan, Marion Williams research, Lucy Blair Service, Kendall Practice, and John H.P. Maley Awards Dr. Sahrmann has also received Washington University's Distinguished Faculty Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, the School of Medicine’s Inaugural Distinguished Clinician Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Indianapolis. She has also received the Bowling-Erhard Orthopedic Clinical Practice Award from the Orthopaedic Academy of the APTA.  She has served on the APTA Board of Directors and as president of the Missouri Chapter. Her first book, Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes, has been translated into seven languages; her second book, Movement System Impairment Syndromes of the Cervical and Thoracic Spines and the Extremities, has been equally influential in promoting movement diagnoses. Dr. Sahrmann has been a keynote speaker at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Sweden, Finland, and Danish national congresses.

Disclosure: Dr. Sahrmann receives royalties from a book Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes published by Elsevier.

Maiko Morotani, PT, DPT is from Osaka Japan. She received her DPT degree from WashU Medicine Physical Therapy. It has been Maiko’s mission to continue learning about the movement system, and to share the knowledge with her Japanese physical therapy community. She is one of seven Japanese translators of the textbook Movement System Impairment Syndromes of the Extremities, Cervical and Thoracic Spines. Since 2014, she started Nexus Motion, a continuing education company to primarily help Japanese physical therapists. Her role has evolved more recently, as Nexus Motion collaborates with WashU Medicine Physical Therapy to organize their flagship movement system continuing education courses. Maiko has taught movement system courses in Japan, US, Thailand, and was a keynote speaker at the 2023 Asian Confederation of Physical Therapy Congress.  She treats patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions in the Los Angeles area and provides mentoring services to clinicians.

Disclosure: Maiko Morotani does not have any relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.

Joan Vicente, PT, DPT, PhD earned her physical therapy degree in the Philippines in 2004 and is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. She completed fellowship training in Movement System at Washington University in St. Louis and currently serves as a Rehab Clinical Educator at UCLA Health. Dr. Vicente is also an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Hawai‘i Pacific University, where she teaches Movement Science and Musculoskeletal coursework. 

She earned her PhD in Health Sciences from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a concentration in Orthopedic Sports Science. Her research focuses on thoracic spine and how it affects the other regions of the body. Dr. Vicente integrates Schroth-based scoliosis management into her clinical practice and has served as a regional mentor for the Movement System Clinical Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, contributing to Movement System Syndromes education.

Disclosure: Dr. Vicente is the Rehab Clinical Educator at UCLA Health. She has no other relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.

In 1997, Michael Salazar PT, DPT received his physical therapy degree in the Philippines. He became and Orthopedic Certified Specialist in 2010 and received his Transitional DPT in 2011 at Western University of Health Sciences.  Attending Clare Frank’s courses kindled his keen interest in Movement Science. He became a Movement System Fellow at Washington University and was fortunate to learn Movement System from Dr. Sahrmann and the faculty and mentored by Maiko Morotani.  Michael also became a Therapeutic Pain Specialist in 2021. 

Michael practices at UCLA Health in Santa Monica, California.  He has lab assisted for several Movement System classes in Los Angeles.   

Disclosure: Michael Salazar is a paid UCLA Health employee. He has no other relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.

Nick Kietzman-Greer, PT, DPT is a Senior Physical Therapist at Adventist Health Glendale’s Therapy & Wellness Center in Los Angeles, where he treats patients with orthopedic and movement system conditions, with particular expertise in running-related injury prevention and rehabilitation. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy and BA in Spanish from Creighton University and completed a Movement System Clinical Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. As a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a Level 2 certified running gait analyst, Dr Kietzman-Greer works with athletes ranging from recreational to collegiate level track and ultra-distance runners.

Dr. Kietzman-Greer previously served in the Dominican Republic as a clinician, educator, and researcher, contributing to competency-based curriculum development, organizing continuing education programs, and supporting the establishment of the national professional association as a member of World Physiotherapy.

Disclosure: Nick Kietzman-Greer does not have any relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.