Although dry needling is gaining much in popularity among physical therapists, there is a rise in unsubstantiated claims about the underlying mechanisms of dry needling and its effectiveness.  

At the same time, several new, innovative, and research-supported applications of dry needling are emerging on the world stage, such as

Internationally recognized expert in dry needling, Dr. Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, President/CEO of Myopain Seminars shares his insight and expertise on "New and Innovative Dry Needling Applications."

In this educational session, participants will be introduced to an evidence-informed review of what is known from a scientific perspective about the possible mechanism of dry needling. We will explore potential biases and other pitfalls. We will also introduce some of the newer applications of dry needling though lectures and demonstrations. 

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

Note to nonmembers: In free CE opportunities alone, your APTA/IPTA membership can pay for itself! Do the math – we welcome you to explore the various benefits of IPTA membership by clicking here. You too can be a part of your professional association, click here to join!

Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, President/CEO of Myopain Seminars

Dr. Jan Dommerholt is co-founder and president/CEO of Myopain Seminars. His early career mentors included Drs. Janet Travell, David Simons, Robert Gerwin, Richard S. Materson, Karel Lewit, and Peter Baldry, among others. Together with Robert Gerwin, Jan started teaching dry needling courses in 1996, first in Spain and from 1997 onwards also in the USA. Jan is a Dutch-trained physical therapist who holds a Master of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in both Biomechanical Trauma and Healthcare Administration from Lynn University, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Dommerholt has taught hundreds of courses and lectured at over 80 conferences throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East while maintaining an active clinical practice. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, Cuestiones de Fisioterapia, and the Journal of Invasive Therapies in Physical Therapy. Jan is an Honorary Member of the Iranian Physiotherapy Association and of the Polish Association of Invasive Physiotherapy. In 2016, he received the Janet G. Travell Excellence in Education Award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists. The American Physical Therapy Association recognized his achievements by awarding him the 2014 Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award.

Dr. Dommerholt has edited several books on myofascial pain, dry needling, and manual physical therapy, authored about 80 book chapters, and more than 140 articles on dry needling, myofascial pain, external-focus exercise, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and performing arts physical therapy. From 2004 through 2021, he prepared a quarterly literature review column on myofascial pain initially with Dr. David Simons for the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain followed by the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies with a variety of co-authors. Click here for a listing of Dr. Jan Dommerholt's Publications. He is president/CEO of Bethesda Physiocare® in Bethesda, MD (www.bethesdaphysiocare.com).

This program was originally recorded October 25, 2025.

THIS COURSE IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR PROUD 2025 PARTNER:

Myopain Seminars offers the best comprehensive dry needling course series, taught by expert instructors!

Myopain Seminars' cutting-edge curriculum provides a competitive advantage in growing fields, helping you to enhance your skills and effectively manage your patients' pain.

Physical therapy has a powerful legacy, and today's clinicians are navigating a new era of healthcare. The question isn't whether your practice is successful, but where it stands on the path to the future.

Are you simply surviving, managing daily challenges and fighting to keep pace? Are you currently thriving, providing excellent care but anchored to traditional models? Or are you ready to evolve, leveraging technology not as a disruption, but as a strategic asset to solidify your business and elevate patient care?

This #THIRDTHURSDAY course is your roadmap for the future. We will explore how to honor the core principles of the profession while strategically integrating new tools and business models to ensure your practice is not just sustainable, but truly future-proof. Discover how the right digital playbook can enhance your existing business, create new revenue streams, and position you as a leader in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. 

Dr. Alex Bendersky, PT, DPTshares knowledge and expertise on "The PT's Digital Edge: From Surviving to Thriving to Evolving."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Dr. Alex Bendersky, PT, DPT is a fellowship-trained clinician and accomplished healthcare technology leader with more than 22 years of experience at the intersection of patient care, clinical operations, and digital innovation. Throughout his career, he has consistently driven initiatives that enhance clinical outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and modernize care delivery.

Alex’s clinical excellence has been recognized with numerous honors, including Clinician of the Year within a network of over 3,000 therapists. As a founding member and Director of Rehabilitation at Ivy Rehab, he was instrumental in expanding the organization from inception to a network exceeding 350 clinics, developing scalable models for quality care and leadership development across the enterprise.

He has also served in multiple executive leadership positions, including Director of Rehabilitation, Director of Digital Health, and Director of Clinical Interventions for Doctors of Physical Therapy, Luna PT and other National MSK operators. In these roles, Alex has championed the integration of innovative technologies, advanced analytics, and value-based care frameworks to improve patient engagement, streamline provider workflows, and deliver measurable results for both patients and organizations.

In addition to his leadership and operational expertise, Alex is a speaker, educator, and advisor in the fields of musculoskeletal health, allied health sciences, and healthcare transformation. His work reflects a commitment to bridging traditional, evidence-based practice with the possibilities of emerging health technology health solutions, ensuring that advancements in technology are grounded in clinical excellence and patient-centered values.

This program was originally recorded September 18, 2025.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

When you donate to the Illinois Physical Therapy Political Action Committee (IPT-PAC), you are helping to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare for the residents of Illinois. 

Learn more in this message from your IPT-PAC Chair, Jim Milder, PT.

Donate to the IPT-PAC here: https://www.ipta.org/page/IPTPAC

Not only do your dollars help fund the campaigns of Illinois lawmakers who actively support physical therapy and are sensitive to the issues that we care about, but with your support, IPTA staff and members are able to build valuable relationships with members of the Illinois General Assembly.

Because with continued exposure to IPTA members and staff, public officials begin to recognize them as trusted resources concerning physical therapy and value their perspective.  Your donation has a direct impact on legislators' view of physical therapy services and helps to shape healthcare policy in Illinois. 

Direct contributions from individuals and practices/facilities are our primary source of donations:  Individual members, non-members and consumers who support the mission and purpose of the IPT-PAC are welcome to donate--no amount is too small or too large.

Want to donate when you renew your APTA/IPTA membership?  Voluntary contributions to the IPT-PAC can be added on to your APTA/IPTA dues.  It doesn't get any easier.

Any individual or company can contribute to the IPT-PAC. You can donate online, or send a check payable to IPT-PAC to  905 N. Main Street, Naperville, IL 60563.

This #THIRDTHURSDAY covers a comprehensive overview of shoulder instability with a focus on athletes. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Petkovic will go over the anatomy involved in shoulder stability, demonstrate clinical examination techniques, review operative and non-operative treatment options. Physical therapy professionals will learn considerations for treating the unstable shoulder. 

Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Djuro Petkovic, MD shares knowledge and expertise on "Shoulder Instability."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Dr. Djuro Petkovic, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship-trained in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and Sports Medicine. In his practice he addresses primary and revision shoulder arthroplasty including hemiarthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. He also specializes in shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff disease, shoulder instability, elbow pathology and knee injuries. He went to the east coast where he completed his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College in Economics. However, experiences with sports injuries as well as a growing interest in the sciences led him to pursue pre-Medical courses at Northwestern University, and he then obtained his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He moved west to serve both his Internship and Residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, and even spent time treating limb deformities in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. While in residency, he became fascinated with the complexity of shoulder and elbow surgery, which is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in orthopedics. He chose to pursue a Fellowship at the renowned Center for Shoulder, Elbow and Sports Medicine/Columbia-New York Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, New York. This allowed him to combine training in shoulder and elbow surgery at the first fellowship of its kind, while also gaining expertise treating high level athletes including the New York Yankees, the NYCFC pro soccer team, Columbia University varsity athletics, the Rockland Boulders minor league baseball team, and other teams in the area. He joined Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in 2017 and has treated a broad spectrum of patients from young adolescents to elderly patients. He has been an assistant team physician for the Chicago Wolves and has covered local high school and amateur adult sporting events.

This program was originally recorded August 21, 2025.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

This #THIRDTHURSDAY will explore the vital role physical therapists can play as key members of the treatment team in managing cases involving compromised airways. Emphasis will be placed on restoring proper spinal alignment, breathing mechanics, and airway function.

Current medical literature links upper airway resistance to clenching and bruxism. Many individuals—including medical professionals and their patients—experience narrowed upper airways due to developmental issues in craniofacial structure, often stemming from childhood breathing and swallowing patterns. This resistance can lead to clenching, grinding, and snoring.

Participants will be introduced to a comprehensive, full-body treatment approach designed for adults and children. This integrated strategy aims to reduce clenching and snoring while improving sleep, posture, headaches, overall health, and energy levels.

Treatment techniques covered will include:

Dr. Jenny Hobson will demonstrate how to stabilize the airway by addressing full-body spinal posture, improving ribcage mobility, optimizing nasal breathing and breath volume, and restoring the tongue-to-soft-palate suction resting position essential for proper swallowing.

Dr. Jenny Hobson, PT, DPT, MTC, CFC shares knowledge and expertise on "Physical Therapy Airway Treatments: Posture, Breath, and Swallow Dynamics."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Dr. Jenny Hobson, PT, DPT, MTC, CFC a European-trained physical therapist, has extensive expertise in manual therapy, craniofacial rehabilitation, breathing and oral posture training. As one of only two physical therapists in the U.S. selected to teach Dr. Mariano Rocabado’s methods through the U of St. Augustine Florida where she earned her doctorate, she brings unparalleled insights into airway dysfunction, breathing mechanics, and postural stabilization. Her advanced training in TMD, Buteyko breathing, spinal posture correction, and airway rehabilitation provides invaluable strategies for early intervention in pediatric patients. She treats both the adult and pediatric patients at the Hobson Institute in Chicago at her 3 locations.  Dr. Jenny has many courses available online for patients and medical providers to learn about how to identify and stabilize the airway, treat TMD, sleep disordered breathing and tinnitus.  She teaches the Rocabado TMD physical therapy  method to PTs and Dentists and is teaching her Intro to Airway Eval & RX to all medical providers through the Hobson Institute.

This program was originally recorded July 17, 2025.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

This #THIRDTHURSDAY presentation will introduce/present concepts related to the medical & surgical management of common female pelvic floor disorders such as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in the postpartum patient.

Dr. German D Calonje, MD & Dr. Lauren Lebak, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA shares their knowledge and expertise on "Pelvic Floor Disorders in the Postpartum Patient."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Dr. German D Calonje, MD is a gynecologist and urogynecologist with Ascension Illinois in Elk Grove Village and Hoffman Estates. Dr. Calonje considers it a privilege to offer specialized expert care for women with pelvic floor disorders such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, endometriosis, and complex conditions of the female genital and urinary tract. He is a triple board certified Gynecologist and Urogynecologist. & Dr. Calonje is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Lauren Lebak, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northwestern University and has been a physical therapist for over 10 years. She currently works as the lead physical therapist at the outpatient rehab clinic at Ascension Alexian Brothers located in Elk Grove Village as well as a pelvic health therapist at Ascension Gynecology in Hoffman Estates. She has completed the pregnancy and post-partum corrective exercise specialist certification and is a LANA certified lymphedema therapist. She specializes in pelvic health for all genders with specific training to the oncology and the peri-natal populations. She enjoys being able to assist her patients regain control over their pelvic health symptoms in order to help improve their overall quality of life.

This program was originally recorded May 15, 2025.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

As screen time increases, so does the prevalence of "Tech Neck"—a modern musculoskeletal disorder resulting from prolonged forward head posture and poor ergonomics. This #THIRDTHURSDAY presentation is designed for physical therapists seeking to enhance their expertise in diagnosing and managing this condition.

Participants will explore the anatomy and pathophysiology of Tech Neck, gaining a deep understanding of the musculoskeletal and neurological implications of sustained cervical strain. The course will cover comprehensive clinical assessment strategies, including postural analysis, range of motion testing, and special tests to classify the severity of the disorder.

Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based treatment approaches, including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, postural retraining, ergonomic modifications, and patient education. Additionally, participants will learn how to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to various patient presentations.

By the end of this course, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively assess, diagnose, and treat Tech Neck, improving patient outcomes in both clinical and preventative settings.

Dr. Fred Kassal, PT, DPT, CMT, OCS shares insight and expertise on "Tech Neck Unplugged: Preventing Pain in the Digital Age."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Dr. Fred Kassal, PT, DPT, CMT, OCS graduated from Saint Ambrose University, Davenport IA, in 2019 with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Following graduation, Dr. Kassal pursued an Orthopedic Residency program with Edward Hospital to become an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, which he completed in 2021. Currently, Dr. Kassal is pursuing a certification in vestibular rehabilitation to focus primarily on pediatric vestibular rehabilitation. He also enjoys helping athletes, shoulder, hip, and knee pain.

Dr. Kassal is a Physical Therapist at Goodlife Physical Therapy in Orland Park, IL. He has a passion working with orthopedic conditions, chronic pain, vestibular rehab, and concussion rehab.. However, he is up for any challenge that a patient may come into the clinic with. Dr. Kassal is also currently the SCCE for student coordination and the lead on their concussion program for adolescents in the area.

Outside of the clinic, Fred loves to spend time outdoors, hiking, and playing sports. Some of hidden talents included country line dancing and snake breeding. He enjoys the winter season with hopes of daily snowfalls. In his free time he enjoys helping with Dance Marathon, which is an organization aimed at helping kids treated at local Children’s Hospitals.

This program was originally recorded March 20, 2025.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

This course covers key legal considerations including business entity selection, regulatory compliance, and contract negotiation. Attendees will learn about state and federal laws that impact PT practices, as well as discuss employment law essentials, and common pitfalls to avoid when structuring or growing a practice.

Whether you're an established owner or exploring the idea of starting your own practice, this course will provide actionable insights to help you navigate the legal landscape!

Chris DeGrande, Partner at Benesch, Healthcare Attorney shares his insight and expertise on "Legal Basics of Starting or Owning a PT Practice."

Objectives: 

Christopher DeGrande, Healthcare Attorney at Benesch

Chris DeGrande specializes in healthcare law with a strong emphasis on physical therapy, encompassing transactional, regulatory, and corporate matters. His practice involves navigating state and federal licensing requirements, Anti-Kickback and Stark issues, corporate practice of medicine prohibitions, and transactional diligence review, all tailored specifically to the needs of physical therapy providers. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing this field, Chris excels in structuring and drafting contracts and transactions that ensure compliance and foster growth for physical therapy practices.

Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated his expertise in transactional and regulatory issues across a diverse range of healthcare fields. While his focus remains on physical therapy, he has also worked with entities in hospital settings, dermatology, ambulatory surgery, orthopedics, home health, behavioral health, ophthalmology/optometry, dentistry, women’s health, telemedicine, and veterinary medicine. Prior to entering the legal profession, Chris gained valuable industry insights as a consultant at Cerner Corporation, a global leader in health information technology solutions. He further honed his legal skills through externships with the Presence Health General Counsel and the State of Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County.

Chris's comprehensive background uniquely positions him to provide strategic and informed legal counsel tailored specifically to the needs of physical therapy providers.

This program was originally recorded February 25, 2025.

You can even earn 1 hour of CE:  

As of January 1, 2022 the number of American cancer survivors was 18 million.  This number is projected to increase to 21.6 million by 2030 and to 26 million by 2040.  In Illinois alone, an estimated 566,226 people are alive who were diagnosed with cancer in a 20-year time period of 2001 to 2020 (United States Department of Health and Human Services and National Cancer Institute).  As survival rates increase, this population will be seen for physical therapy, with issues that may or may not be related to their cancer diagnoses.  Professionals need to be equipped with the knowledge to provide effective and appropriate treatments. 

The goal of this #THIRDTHURSDAY is to provide an understanding of the aspects of cancer and cancer treatments that would impact the evaluation and treatment of survivors.  The role and principles of rehabilitation as they relate to cancer will be defined as well as potential precautions and signs of oncological emergencies that could present.

Evidence will be presented to support interventions and a list of relevant sources provided.  Specific topics to be discussed will be:

Mary Jesse, PT , DHS, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy shares insight and expertise on "Physical Therapy for Cancer Survivors – During Cancer Treatment and Beyond."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Mary Jesse, PT, DHS, is currently a clinician at Decatur Memorial Hospital. She graduated from Saint Louis University with a BS in Physical Therapy and from University of Indianapolis with a MHS and DHS in Physical Therapy. Mary has been working to develop an oncology rehab program at DMH over the past 10 years. She is currently a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy.

This program was originally recorded January 16, 2025.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

The transformative power of the physical therapy profession is greatly enhanced by a commitment to promoting and practicing high levels of cultural competence and humility in all areas of practice, research, and education, as emphasized by the American Physical Therapy Association. Cultural humility should be approached holistically, encompassing a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and processes that enable effective collaboration in cross-cultural contexts within the profession.

The purpose of this presentation is to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes, fostering cultural awareness and responsiveness to provide compassionate care to diverse patient populations. By increasing awareness of cultural differences, this educational session will promote inclusivity and respect in all physical therapy settings.

In 2023, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker approved H.B. 2450, which added an additional CE training requirement for Illinois license or registration renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2025.

Illinois-licensed health care professionals must now complete a one-hour course in cultural competency training before renewing a license or registering to practice in the State of Illinois. Cultural competency training includes development of a set of integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enables a health care professional or organization to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities. 

This course meets the 1 hour Cultural Competency Training required by the State of Illinois.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Note to nonmembers: In free CE opportunities alone, your APTA/IPTA membership can pay for itself! Do the math – we welcome you to explore the various benefits of IPTA membership by clicking here. You too can be a part of your professional association, click here to join!

Dawn S. Brown PT, DPT, EdD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy  is the Assistant Chair of Curricular Affairs and an assistant professor in the Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, with over 25 years of clinical and educational experience. She completed a Bachelor of Psychology degree and Master of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Alabama State University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Brown earned ABPTS board-certification in orthopaedic physical therapy and uses this content expertise in her pedagogy, andragogy, and clinical practice. She is a national speaker and published researcher on leadership development, faculty development, motivation, and belonging. Dedicated to being an agent of positive transformation, Dr. Brown is an active member and leader within the American Physical Therapy Association, Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA), American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT), and National Association of Black Physical Therapists. She is Co-Chair of the IPTA DEI Committee, serves on ACAPT’s Education Planning and Innovation Committee, served on ACAPTs National Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission (NEDIC), and serves as the physical therapy representative on the Illinois State Board of Health. She is also an invited content contributor to PhysicalTherapy.com and serves on the Simucase Review Board.

Kim Tarver, PT, MPH With more than 30 years of experience, Kimberly Tarver holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from University of Illinois Chicago, an Associate’s of Science degree in Biology from Waubonsee Community College, and a Master’s degree in public health from Benedictine University. She is a professor of physical therapist assisting at Elgin Community College (ECC) where she has been part of the faculty since 1996. During her tenure at ECC, Kimberly has served in many leadership roles including president of the faculty association, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, and interim Program Director. She has demonstrated and ongoing commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, in service as a past leader and long-time member of ECC's Multicultural and Global Initiatives Committee, and a member of ECC's Teaching/Learning for Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity team, and championed many initiatives to advance and advocate for a culture of belonginess and servingness at ECC. She is a member of the APTA/IPTA and is the co-chair of the IPTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. Awards and recognitions include Illinois Physical Therapy Association’s Outstanding Academic Educator Award in 2022, the NISOD Excellence in Teaching and ECC's Orrin G. Thompson Teaching Excellence Award. in 2016. Most recently, she has earned the Association of College and University Educators Certificate in Effective Teaching Practices.

Zachary Thill, PT, DPT is a dedicated physical therapist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Governors State University, a Bachelor in Health Sciences from DePaul University, and an Associate of Science from Moraine Valley Community College. With extensive clinical and managerial experience at Revolution Physical Therapy Weight Loss, Zachary has grown from a staff therapist to clinic manager, where he now oversees operations, staff development, and financial performance to ensure exceptional patient care. Zachary is deeply committed to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in healthcare. As an active member of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association’s DEI Committee since 2021, he works to create equitable care practices and advocates for initiatives that address systemic barriers. He believes fostering an inclusive environment enhances patient outcomes and strengthens the healthcare community. His capstone project focused on optimizing home exercise programs to improve patient adherence based on demographic factors. He continues to contribute to the field through mentorship and community outreach, striving to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care in every role he undertakes.

This program was originally recorded January 23, 2025.