top of page
The Vital Shoulder


Dynamic, Interactive, Hands-On, Educational
Join internationally renowned osteopath, author, and educator John Gibbons for his Vital Shoulder Course—a focused, practical 1-day workshop designed for massage therapists, bodyworkers, and movement professionals who want to deepen their understanding of shoulder function, dysfunction, and treatment. Known for his clear, clinical approach and engaging teaching style, John will guide you through the intricate anatomy and biomechanics of the shoulder complex, covering key areas such as the rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers, and common pathologies including impingement, frozen shoulder, and instability. Through a blend of theory, palpation, assessment, and manual therapy techniques, you’ll learn how to identify movement restrictions, assess muscular imbalances, and apply targeted treatment strategies to improve shoulder mobility and reduce pain. Expect to leave with skills that can be immediately integrated into your practice to deliver better outcomes for your clients. This course is ideal for professionals with existing hands-on experience who want to sharpen their clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills. Accredited for CPD and accompanied by John’s energy and depth of knowledge, the Vital Shoulder Course is a must for anyone serious about mastering one of the body’s most complex and commonly injured joints.
Course Content:
-
Rotator Cuff, Scapulohumeral Rhythm, Impingement syndrome and Painful arc
-
Posture & Myofascial Slings
-
Gait Cycle and the relationship to the Shoulder
-
Differential Diagnosis of Shoulder Pathology
-
Cervical Spine and the Brachial Plexus
-
Special tests & range of movement
-
Upper limb Muscle Length tests
-
Treatment of hypertonic muscles using specific METs
What to Bring:
-
1 towel (and couch cover if you have one)
-
Lunch (although there is a Sainsburys about 2 minutes walk from the clinic)
-
Sporty clothing (and shorts)
Assessment & Coursework:
-
Observations & feedback during the session
-
No coursework
Pre-Requisites:
-
Students must be 18 years or older (no maximum age!)
-
Level 3 Sports or Body massage qualification
bottom of page