Biomechanics of the Upper Body

5 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Phillipa Butler PT

The shoulder, neck, upper back, and wider upper quadrant are deeply interconnected through anatomy, fascia, movement control, posture, stability, and functional biomechanics.

Biomechanics of the Upper Body provides a detailed exploration of upper quadrant function, helping practitioners better understand how movement quality, myofascial relationships, stability, and common movement errors may contribute to dysfunction and injury.

Presented by Chartered Physiotherapist Phillipa Butler, this course integrates principles from biomechanics, myofascial meridians, Clinical Pilates, therapeutic yoga, Anatomy Trains, and core stability to support a more complete approach to assessment, exercise selection, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.

Course Overview

Across this 5-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore the anatomy, function, assessment, and rehabilitation of the shoulder, neck, upper back, and upper quadrant.

The course combines detailed lectures, advanced assessment principles, therapeutic exercise concepts, movement analysis, and holistic rehabilitation approaches to help practitioners better understand upper quadrant dysfunction and its wider biomechanical relationships.

Participants will examine the role and function of fascia, key myofascial and anatomical links through the body, the sequence of events required for ideal movement, and the key components of biomechanical assessment.

Supported by 3.5 hours of video classes, a fully illustrated course workbook, lesson quizzes, online examination, subtitles in English, French, German, and Spanish, and certificate of completion, this course provides a structured learning experience for professionals who want to improve their understanding of upper body biomechanics and rehabilitation.

What You Will Learn

Topic Focus Upper Quadrant Anatomy Understanding the anatomy and functional relationships of the shoulder, neck, upper back, and surrounding structures Fascia & Myofascial Links Exploring the role of fascia and key myofascial connections through the body Biomechanical Assessment Identifying key components of assessment, movement sequencing, and common movement errors Stability & Motor Control Understanding the role of stability, coordination, motor control, and core support in upper quadrant function Exercise Application Applying strengthening, flexibility, motor control, and coordination exercises to manage and prevent injury

Course Content

The course combines biomechanics, anatomy, fascia education, myofascial chain theory, assessment principles, common injury considerations, and exercise-based rehabilitation strategies.

Module Focus Upper Quadrant Function Anatomy, movement, posture, and functional relationships of the shoulder, neck, and upper back Fascia & Anatomical Links The role of fascia, myofascial meridians, Anatomy Trains concepts, and whole-body connections Biomechanical Assessment Movement sequencing, assessment components, common errors, and injury-related dysfunctions Management of Common Injuries Treatment principles, rehabilitation considerations, and movement-based strategies for common upper body injuries Therapeutic Exercise Integration Clinical Pilates, therapeutic yoga, strengthening, flexibility, coordination, motor control, and stability exercises

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for rehabilitation professionals, massage therapists, manual therapists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, athletic trainers, nurses, carers, exercise professionals, and fitness professionals.

It is especially valuable for practitioners who work with clients experiencing shoulder, neck, upper back, postural, movement, stability, or upper quadrant dysfunction, as well as those seeking to integrate biomechanical assessment and exercise-based rehabilitation into professional practice.

About Phillipa Butler

Phillipa Butler PT, MSCP, is a Chartered Physiotherapist with extensive experience across both NHS and private sector practice, specializing in rehabilitation following accidents, illnesses, and injuries.

Passionate about teaching, Phillipa is skilled in helping individuals engage in safe and effective exercise while highlighting the transformative role of movement in recovery, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

A certified instructor across multiple disciplines, Phillipa is a Pilates Mat and Reformer teacher, Hatha Yoga instructor, and meditation teacher. She integrates this broad skill set into a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, movement education, and physical wellbeing.

Her work reflects a strong commitment to helping people unlock their physical potential through safe progression, movement awareness, therapeutic exercise, and a holistic understanding of body function.

Included With This Course

Included Details Video Classes 3.5 hours of online video education presented by Phillipa Butler PT Fully Illustrated Course Workbook Supporting workbook covering anatomy, biomechanics, assessment, exercise, and rehabilitation concepts Lesson Quizzes Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course Online Exam Assessment included for course completion Certificate 5 Hours CE/CPD following successful completion Lifetime Access Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever required Subtitles English, French, German, and Spanish subtitles included

CE Finder

This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll through the list to find your board or association.

Course: Biomechanics - Upper Extremities
Approvals Listed: 66
CE Broker Provider: #20-1238530 Approvals in alphabetical order Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours: 5 Alaska Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours: 5 American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP) Approved Hours: 5 Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Arkansas Board of Massage Approved Hours: 5 Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) Approved Hours: 5 Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Approved Hours: 5 Canadian Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) Approved Hours: 2 Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) Approved Hours: 5 Certified Registered Massage Therapist Assc (CRMTA) Approved Hours: 5 - Primary CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours: 5 Chiropractic Board of Australia Approved Hours: 5 College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia (CCHPBC) Approved Hours: 5 College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) Approved Hours: 5 College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL) Approved Hours: 2.5 College of Massage Therapists Ontario (CMTO) Approved Hours: 5 College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC) Approved Hours: 5 Connecticut Board of Chiropractors Approved Hours: 5 Connecticut Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Deleware Board of Massage and Bodywork Approved Hours: 5 Distrcit of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Florida Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Georgia Board of Massage Therapy *General* Approved Hours: 5 Georgia Board of Nursing Approved Hours: 5 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Indiana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Iowa Board of Chiropractic Approved Hours: 5 Iowa Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Kansas Chiropractic Association Approved Hours: 5 Maine Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Approved Hours: 5 Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) Approved Hours: 5 Massage Therapy Assc of Manitoba (MTAM) Approved Hours: 5 Massage Therapy Assc of Saskatchewan (MTAS) Approved Hours: 5 Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) Approved Hours: 5 Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage Approved Hours: 5 Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours: 5 Montana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Approved Hours: 5 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Approved Hours: 5 Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) Approved Hours: 5 Nebraska Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours: 5 Nevada Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours: 5 New Hampshire Advisory Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours: 5 New Jersey Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours: 5 North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours: 5 North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Ohio Chiropractic Board Approved Hours: 5 Oklahoma Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours: 5 Oregon Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours: 5 Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association (PEIMTA) Approved Hours: 5 Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) Approved Hours: 5 South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel Approved Hours: 5 South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours: 5 Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure Approved Hours: 5 Virginia Department of Health Professions (Massage Therapy) Approved Hours: 5 Washington Board of Massage Approved Hours: 5 Washington Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 5 West Virginia Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours: 5 Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (Athletic Training) Approved Hours: 5 Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (Massage Therapy) Approved Hours: 5

Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.