Happy New Year from the NAMCTA!
By Julie Paolino PT, MS, ATC, MCTA
As you all know, 2021 was an interesting year for everyone, however as an organization, we would like to update you on some exciting news. This past year we examined and accredited two new Mulligan Concept teachers in the United States, Amy Green Resler, and Jarrod Brian.
As a brief introduction, I asked them to tell them a little bit about themselves.
Jarrod Brian PT, OCS, CSMT, TPS, MCTA
How did you become interested in the Mulligan Concept?
A Mulligan Concept Lower Quarter course was the first class I took, one month after graduating from PT school. I was immediately attracted to the hands-on, non-dogmatic approach to patient care. It provided me as a young PT the opportunity to understand that some patients had the potential to experience instantaneous pain relief improvement in their function. It became a cornerstone to my entire patient care approach.
When and where did you meet Brian Mulligan?
My first experience with Brian was at an Advanced course in Chicago. I remember being very excited about the opportunity to learn from him directly. It was a great course and really helped solidify my practice with the Mulligan Concept.
How long have you been practicing?
I have been a physical therapist for 18 years.
What are your special interests?
I consider myself a lifelong learner and this leads me down many trails. However, I always seem to gravitate towards learning more about the various aspects and complexities of pain. In the clinic, this focuses my interests on applying a biopsychosocial approach using pain-based mechanisms, individualized exercise plans, and manual therapy to influence patient outcomes.
Amy Green Resler DPT, MCTA
What type of practice do you work in?
I currently practice orthopedic physical therapy at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA.
When did you first meet Brian Mulligan?
I met Brian Mulligan in 2003 in Honolulu, and since becoming exposed to Brian Mulligan and the Mulligan Concept have had daily successes with the Mulligan Concept that are too numerous to count!
What made you interested in teaching the Mulligan Concept?
I have been a “teacher” in many ways throughout my career and have always been passionate about teaching anatomy & biomechanics. Since obtaining my CMP certification in 2006, I have assisted many of the NAMCTA instructors at their courses and have enjoyed combining my natural interest in teaching with my passion for the Mulligan Concept.
I loved the possibility of being part of an educational organization that is so committed to teaching this concept world-wide. As a full-time clinician, I see the exceptional and consistent benefits of this therapy with my patients. As a clinical instructor over the past 18 years, I have seen my student and colleagues become excited and empowered when they see the immediate results of applying Mobilizations with Movement. Becoming a member of the MCTA has always felt like a natural next step in my teaching career.
What are your special interests?
Clinically, I have a particular interest in understanding and treating the sacroiliac, hip, and lumbo-pelvic regions. I enjoy writing and I have written multiple evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for publication. In my free time, I love horseback riding, skiing, and volunteering for a hospice foundation and St. Jude's.
In Conclusion:
Having been one of the lead instructors in testing both Amy and Jarrod, I am excited about their addition to the MCTA. They bring unique talents, clinical expertise, and passion to our team. We wish them both success as MCTA instructors and look forward to their contributions to the Mulligan Concept.
Please join me in congratulating both Amy and Jarrod on becoming part of the Mulligan Concept Teachers Association! Special thanks to Don Reordan and Pat Black for their assistance in the testing process.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to legendary MCTA Teacher Russ Woodman
In addition to bringing on two new members of the MCTA, I would also like to congratulate Russ Woodman who has retired from teaching Mulligan courses as of 2022. On a personal note, Russ was my mentor for my undergraduate days at Quinnipiac College. He was one of the first to introduce me to the Mulligan Concept. His passion, enthusiasm, professionalism, and clinical expertise set him apart as one of the best in the physical therapy profession. He is held in high regard within the physical therapy world and will be truly missed. We wish him health and happiness in his next chapter of life with his bride, Phyllis, and his farm animals (which are too many to count).
Thanks Russ, you will surely be missed by all of us!