The Cervical Thoracic Junction

3 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Sue Falsone PT ATC

The cervical thoracic junction is a clinically important region where the neck, upper back, shoulder girdle, and thoracic spine interact through movement, posture, loading, and neuromuscular control.

The Cervical Thoracic Junction provides a practical and detailed introduction to assessment, clinical reasoning, anatomy, movement, and treatment concepts related to this complex transition zone.

Presented by renowned physical therapist and athletic trainer Sue Falsone PT ATC, this course helps manual therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and fitness professionals build a stronger foundation for working with common musculoskeletal presentations involving the cervical thoracic region.

Course Overview

Across this 3-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore the anatomy, mechanics, movement considerations, assessment principles, and treatment strategies associated with the cervical thoracic junction.

Through video classes presented by Sue Falsone, students gain practical insight into how this region functions and how dysfunction may contribute to pain, movement restriction, postural strain, and performance limitations.

The course is designed to help practitioners better understand how to assess and treat common musculoskeletal injuries related to the cervical thoracic junction while integrating clinical reasoning, manual therapy principles, movement awareness, and rehabilitation planning.

Supported by a fully illustrated anatomy and movement reference workbook, video instruction, lesson quizzes, online exam, certificate of completion, lifetime access, and subtitles in English, French, German, and Spanish, this course provides a focused and practical learning experience for professionals working with neck, shoulder, upper back, and thoracic presentations.

What You Will Learn

Topic Focus Cervical Thoracic Anatomy Understanding the anatomical structures and relationships of the cervical thoracic junction Movement & Mechanics Exploring how the neck, upper back, shoulder girdle, and thoracic spine interact during movement Assessment Principles Developing a structured approach to evaluating cervical thoracic dysfunction and related movement limitations Treatment Concepts Understanding therapeutic strategies for common musculoskeletal presentations involving this region Clinical Integration Applying cervical thoracic principles within manual therapy, rehabilitation, and performance settings

Course Content

The course combines anatomy education, movement analysis, assessment principles, treatment reasoning, practical demonstrations, and rehabilitation-focused strategies for the cervical thoracic junction.

Module Focus Foundations of the Cervical Thoracic Junction Anatomy, movement relationships, and the clinical importance of this transition region Mechanics & Movement Function Understanding how the cervical spine, thoracic spine, shoulder girdle, and upper body work together Assessment & Clinical Reasoning Evaluating movement restriction, dysfunction, postural strain, and musculoskeletal presentations Treatment & Rehabilitation Strategies Therapeutic approaches for improving function, mobility, and client outcomes Professional Application Applying cervical thoracic junction concepts within clinical, athletic, and movement-based practice

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, fitness professionals, nurses, and healthcare professionals.

It is especially valuable for practitioners who work with neck pain, upper back dysfunction, shoulder girdle restriction, postural strain, thoracic mobility limitations, athletic performance concerns, or musculoskeletal injuries involving the cervical thoracic region.

About Sue Falsone

Sue Falsone PT ATC is a respected physical therapist, athletic trainer, and recognized authority in sports physical therapy.

Her credentials include Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy, certified athletic trainer, certified orthopedic manual therapist for the spine, certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance.

Sue has spoken at conferences around the world and has held major leadership roles in elite sport and performance rehabilitation. She served as Vice President of Performance Physical Therapy and Team Sport at Athletes’ Performance for 13 years.

She also made history with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the first female head athletic trainer in any of the four major professional sports in the United States: MLB, NFL, NHL, or NBA.

Included With This Course

Included Details Video Classes Online video instruction presented by Sue Falsone PT ATC Illustrated Workbook Anatomy and movement reference workbook supporting course concepts and clinical application Lesson Quizzes Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course Online Exam Assessment included for course completion Certificate 3 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 sideways to find your board or association.

Course: Cervical Thoracic Spine
Approvals Listed: 64
CE Broker Provider: #20-1343923 Scroll right to view all approvals in alphabetical order → Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
3 Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
3 Alaska Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
3 Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
3 Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Arkansas Board of Massage Approved Hours
3 Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) Approved Hours
3 Australian Traditional Medicine Society Approved Hours
3 Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Approved Hours
3 Canadian Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) Approved Hours
1.2 Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) Approved Hours
3 Certified Registered Massage Therapist Assc (CRMTA) Approved Hours
3 - Primary CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours
3 Chiropractic Board of Australia Approved Hours
3 College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia (CCHPBC) Approved Hours
3 College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) Approved Hours
1.5 College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL) Approved Hours
1.5 College of Massage Therapists Ontario (CMTO) Approved Hours
3 College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC) Approved Hours
3 Connecticut Board of Chiropractors Approved Hours
3 Connecticut Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Deleware Board of Massage and Bodywork Approved Hours
3 Distrcit of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Florida Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Georgia Board of Massage Therapy *General* Approved Hours
3 Georgia Board of Nursing *General* Approved Hours
3 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
3 Indiana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Iowa Board of Chiropractic Approved Hours
3 Iowa Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
3 Kansas Chiropractic Association Approved Hours
3 Maine Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Approved Hours
3 Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) Approved Hours
3 Massage Therapy Assc of Manitoba (MTAM) Approved Hours
3 Massage Therapy Assc of Saskatchewan (MTAS) Approved Hours
3 Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) Approved Hours
3 Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage Approved Hours
3 Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
3 Montana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Approved Hours
3 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Approved Hours
3 Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) Approved Hours
3 Nebraska Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
3 Nevada Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
3 New Hampshire Advisory Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
3 New Jersey Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
3 North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
3 North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Ohio Chiropractic Board Approved Hours
3 Oklahoma Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
3 Oregon Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
3 Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association (PEIMTA) Approved Hours
3 Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) Approved Hours
3 South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel Approved Hours
3 South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
3 Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure Approved Hours
3 Virginia Department of Health Professions (Massage Therapy) Approved Hours
3 Washington Board of Massage Approved Hours
3 Washington Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
3 West Virginia Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
3

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

The Cervical Thoracic Junction

Professional Reviews & Feedback

The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.

★★★★★ 4.8 average rating across reviews collected via Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me

“Sue Falsone explains the cervical thoracic junction with exceptional clarity. The course helped me understand this region as a functional transition zone.”

Nadia M., LMT

“The assessment concepts were practical and immediately useful for neck, shoulder, and upper back presentations.”

Lisa R., PT

“I appreciated how the course connected anatomy, movement, and treatment planning without overcomplicating the subject.”

Elise V., RMT

“Sue’s experience comes through strongly. The clinical reasoning was clear, structured, and very relevant to practice.”

Marcus J., ATC

“The course gave me a better framework for understanding how the neck and upper thoracic spine influence one another.”

Peter K., Massage Therapist

“A very useful course for therapists working with posture, restricted movement, and upper quadrant pain.”

Harv E., Manual Therapist

“The demonstrations helped me think more clearly about mobility, stability, and movement control in the upper spine.”

Camila P., LMT

“Sue Falsone presents with authority and precision. The content felt highly relevant to sports and rehabilitation settings.”

Ron S., Sports Therapist

“The explanations around cervical and thoracic mechanics were among the clearest I have heard.”

Mandy T., RMT

“This course helped me refine how I assess clients with neck tension, headaches, and shoulder restriction.”

Owen C., DC

“The material was practical from start to finish. It gave me useful ideas for assessment and treatment sequencing.”

Emanuel L., Massage Therapist

“I liked the focus on movement quality rather than treating the cervical region in isolation.”

Tomas H., PTA

“The course made the cervical thoracic junction feel much less confusing and far more clinically manageable.”

Julia B., LMT

“Sue’s teaching style is direct, organised, and easy to follow. The clinical examples were especially helpful.”

Dario F., PT, DPT

“A strong course for understanding how upper back restrictions can contribute to neck and shoulder symptoms.”

Amina D., RMT

“The course helped me improve my intake questions and movement observations for upper quadrant complaints.”

Jonas W., OT

“The treatment concepts were practical and easy to adapt within my current manual therapy approach.”

Sonya A., Manual Therapist

“I appreciated the balance between anatomy, biomechanics, and real-world clinical application.”

Ken S., LMT

“A very polished course. The instruction was clear, the demonstrations were useful, and the content was clinically relevant.”

Marta G., Massage Therapist

“The course gave me a more complete understanding of the cervical thoracic region and how it affects upper body function.”

Arun Y., ATC .nat-student-reviews { margin: 50px 0; padding: 42px 0; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; background: #ffffff; } .nat-section-heading { max-width: 1100px; margin: 0 auto 30px auto; text-align: left; padding: 0 20px; } .nat-section-heading h3 { margin: 0 0 8px; color: #545454; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.4; letter-spacing: 0.02em; text-transform: uppercase; } .nat-section-heading h2 { margin: 0 0 12px; color: #c3283d; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.3; } .nat-section-heading p { margin: 0 0 14px 0; max-width: 900px; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7; } .nat-review-summary { display: inline-block; margin-top: 6px; padding: 8px 14px; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; background: #fafafa; color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5; } .nat-review-scroll { display: flex; gap: 20px; overflow-x: auto; scroll-snap-type: x mandatory; padding: 20px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 340px; scroll-snap-align: start; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; border-left: 4px solid #c3283d; padding: 24px; } .nat-review-card p { margin: 0 0 18px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.7; font-style: italic; } .nat-review-author { color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6; padding-top: 12px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 8px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: #f0f0f0; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #c3283d; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .nat-section-heading h2 { font-size: 26px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 290px; } .nat-review-summary { font-size: 13px; } }