Lower quarter level 1 and 2 - Two courses in one

NDS courses are based on Michael Shacklock's best-selling text, Clinical Neurodynamics, have been taught to more than 10k clinicians worldwide and are considered foundational for many in the musculoskeletal field.

Michael Shacklock proposed the concept of neurodynamics in 1995 with his paper in the British journal Physiotherapy in which various scientific cornerstones formed a key aspect of clinical practice in physiotherapy and physical therapy neurodynamics practice.

This has been developed on in his book Clinical Neurodynamics, 2005, Elsevier, Oxford in which the whole body is dealt with in diagnosis and treatment of many musculoskeletal syndromes with a neural component.

The courses by Neurodynamic Solutions are based on the philosophy of helping therapists develop their clinical skills and applying them to their patients. This course therefore contains approximately 65% practical and 35% theory.

The Clinical Neurodynamics - Lower Quarter Courses

NEW to 2026! Comprehensive Lower Quarter courses featuring all the essential content previously taught in both Level 1 and 2 courses.

Define a system of assessing peripheral nerve injuries of the lower quarter, including diagnostic categories, and clinical reasoning. After completing this course, practitioners will have improved their skills at detecting and managing the neurodynamic aspect to the following clinical conditions:

• Lumbar Radiculopathy (including Sciatica)
• Deep Gluteal / Piriformis Syndrome
• Hamstring Injury and the Sciatic Nerve
• Femoral nerve, thigh and knee pain
• Mid-Upper Lumbar Radiculopathy
• Sural at the Achilles Tendon, Ankle & Leg
• Heel Pain - Tibial and Medial Calcaneal Nerve - Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and Digital Nerves

Michael shacklock
DipPhysio, MAppSc, FACP

Michael received his graduate qualification at the Auckland School of Physiotherapy in 1980, and completed a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Manipulative Therapy in 1989, and completed a Masters degree at the University of South Australia in 1993. He was awarded a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists for his monograph and international best-seller text book, Clinical Neurodynamics in 2005, and published two other books, Moving in on Pain (Elsevier) and Biomechanics of the Nervous System: Breig Revisited. Michael has authored, co-authored and mentored numerous research studies, editorials, commentaries and clinical papers in peer reviewed journals which have garnered many international awards, including Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, Barcelo University, Buenos Aires. He was a member of the International Advisory Board of the journal Musculoskeletal Theory and Practice, and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, USA.

Michael presents keynote addresses and invited conference lectures, trains staff at elite sports medicine facilities and sports clubs, universities, hospitals and private seminars around the world. His special interests are neurodynamics, the mechanics and physiology of the nervous system as it relates to muscuskeletal function, pain and injury. His most valued interest is how to synthesise science and clinical practice using evidence and reasoning. Michael is a clinician of 35 years experience and is recognised as an international leader in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders with a neural aspect.

Beyond Michael's teaching activities, he offers one-on-one mentoring for practitioners and telehealth consultations. If either are of interest to you, please contact us.

TWO COURSES IN ONE 

In Person - 2 days (16 hours)

Online - 14 hours (self-paced ) to be completed before attending the in-person part

• You will be given access to the self-paced, online component approximately one month prior to the in-person course. 

• Once you have begun the online component, there are absolutely no refunds. Transfers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Here's what you'll learn:

• Understand how nerves move.
• Painless nerve root mobilisations.
• How to include/exclude neurodynamic disorders.
• Classify neurodynamic diagnosis.
• Technique progressions from low to high functional levels.
• How to select and perform neurodynamic techniques for your patients.
• Safety and neurodyamic contraindications.

 Highlights

• Low back pain, sciatica and lumbosacral radiculopathy
• Mid-lumbar radiculopathy
• Deep gluteal syndrome and sciatic nerve
• Hamstring injury and sciatic nerve: integration with muscle high performance
• Femoral nerve and thigh pain
• Lateral thigh and knee pain: neuromyofascial aspects.
• Gastrocnemius and tendoachilles pain with sural nerve
• Heel and foot pain with digital nerves.

Concept of Neurodynamics

• General neurodynamic principles applied to the entire body and specifically  the lower quarter, including the lumbopelvic region, hip pain and piriformis syndrome, hamstring strain and neurodynamic aspect to heel pain.
• Neurodynamic sequencing - a mechanism that can be used to make neurodynamic technique more specifically than in the past.
• How to include and exclude neurodynamics.
• Bilateral and contralateral neurodynamic testing.
• Unload nerve roots for pain relief.

 Neurodynamic Testing 

• Straight leg raise and variations: tibial, fibular, sural
• Slump test and variations: piriformis and sciatic nerve
• Femoral slump and prone knee bend
• Variations and progressions - level 1, 2, 3a, b and c 

Technique Selection 

• How not to provoke pain but still treat the neurodynamic component.
• How to sensitize the examination and treatment for hidden neurodynamic problems, level 1, 2 and type 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d examinations.

 Diagnosis With Neurodynamic Tests 

• Differentiating neural tissue from neuromusculoskeletal tissues.
• Establishing what is normal and abnormal.
• What to do next. 

Treatment Method 

• System of technique progression.
• Hypersensitivity problems
• Subtle and hidden neural component and sensitised treatments.
• Directing treatment at pathophysiology.
• Progression from pathophysiology to pathomechanics.
• Neurodynamics applied to lumbar disc and intervertebral foramen biomechanics.

This course will take place in London. Venue to be confirmed shortly