OUR LEGACY

In 1929, Dr. James Cyriax, a London physician, began to establish an on-going methodology for examining the musculoskeletal system independent of imaging techniques. The clinical tests and interpretation of these tests rely on what is called selective tissue testing. In other words, each structure of the musculoskeletal system has individual properties that do not change and are unique to that structure. Thus when that structure is injured, the trauma not only causes pain in a certain region, often involving dermatomes, but specific tests will evoke pain in a consistent pattern that can be reliably used for diagnosis.

In 1978, Dr. Cyriax and Physical Therapist Dos Winkel founded the International Association of Academies of Orthopedic Medicine, IAAOM, located in Delft, Holland. Their goal was to provide continuing education opportunities for physicians and physical therapists seeking expertise in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy. In addition, they continued to pursue improvements in the clinical examination and treatment of patients. Today the IAAOM is one of the largest continuing education associations for orthopedic medicine and manual therapy in Europe. For the sake of simplification the IAAOM was changed to the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM) in 1991.Classes are given at several well-established academies, including the Netherlands Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (founded 1978) and the German and Belgium Academies of Orthopedic Medicine (founded 1979). Courses are also given in Austria. Read more…

In 1988,The American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM, Inc.) was founded by Valerie Phelps in order to make the IAAOM methods of evaluation available to physicians and physical therapists in the United States. Ms. Phelps is working toward making the IAOM-US a nonprofit organization, and it is her vision for this academy to contribute the highest standard of clinical examination and treatment principles in non-operative orthopedic medicine to health professionals, based on updated research, and to facilitate communication and advancement between colleagues. In 1999 the AAOM, Inc. changed its name to the IAOM-US and is actively involved in developing and refining clinical examination and treatment methods with its European counterpart, the IAOM-EUR.

Instructors for the IAOM include physicians as well as physical therapists who have specialized in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy. The instructors have worked closely with Dr. Cyriax, as well as Freddy Kaltenborn, Andre Vleeming, and Professors Vladimir Janda and Barry Wyke. Throughout the years instructors have modified and improved theories and techniques based on the most recent research and arthrokinematic studies. Not only has the IAOM sponsored scientific studies to prove effectiveness of certain treatments for specific orthopedic lesions, but it also has access, through various universities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the US to the most recent studies in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy. This means that the information presented at the IAOM Europe and US courses is specific, clinically applicable, and very up-to-date.

NOW

Today, the IAOM-US is closely connected with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center where there is an IAOM-US Fellowship program accredited by AAOMPT (close relationship with IFOMPT). The IAOM-US is able to constantly benefit from the latest research, techniques, and philosophies to ensure our educational programs are constantly evolving. We are also an approved provider for the Board of Certification for Athletic trainers, as well as an approved provider for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Our programs are designed to help clinicians become Complete Clinicians by immersing them in a systematic approach that makes them experts at diagnosing very precisely. With a precise diagnosis, the efficiency of treatment ensures that Complete Clinicians are able to achieve optimal outcomes and treat more patients.

We have structured our programs to provide a continuum of education that is applicable at any point in a clinicians career. If you are a great clinician today, you can be an exceptional clinician after taking one of our courses. If you commit to one of our program, you can be a Complete Clinician in no time!

OUR LOGO

Our logo was designed by Bau Winkel, a graphic designer who also happens to be Dos Winkel’s brother. The inspiration came from one of the most referenced areas of human anatomy, the thoracic spine vertebrae. The animated illustration to the right attempts to describe the design process of our logo.

OUR FACULTY

Adam Kimberly

Adam Kimberly

Adam holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Ohio University, where ...

PT, DPT, OCS

Alexander Milev

Alexander Milev

Alexander has thirteen years of experience in the field of physical therapy. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree ...

PT

Ann Porretto-Loehrke

Ann Porretto-Loehrke

Ann graduated from Marquette University in 1994 with a BS in Physical Therapy. She became a Certified Hand ...

PT DPT CHT COMT CMTPT

Becky Sherwin

Becky Sherwin

Becky graduated from Louisiana State University with a Masters in Physical Therapy in 1998. She completed her ...

PT, FAAOMPT

Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips

Bob received his Masters of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia (Augusta ...

OTR/L, CHT, COMT

Brent Denny

Brent Denny

Brent has been a full-time clinician, working in Texas, New Hampshire, and Alaska since 2011, and recently joined ...

PT, ScD, FAAOMPT

Chris Massey

Chris Massey

Chris Massey received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1995 from Tennessee State ...

OTR/L CHT CEAS COMT

Claire Horn

Claire Horn

Claire completed her BSc Physiotherapy degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa (1989), and shortly ...

PT, DPT, FAAOMPT

Esteban Azevedo

Esteban Azevedo

Esteban graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise & Sports Science. He ...

PT ScD COMT

Haley Main

Haley Main

Haley earned her Bachelor of Natural and Applied Sciences while excelling as an Academic All-American ...

DPT, OCS, COMT, GTS

Jacqueline Doidge

Jacqueline Doidge

Jackie trained in Canada, Jackie has worked as a physical therapist for 46 years specializing in orthopaedics, ...

PT

James Wagner

James Wagner

Dr. Wagner is an occupational therapist/certified hand therapist with 30 years of clinical experience working in ...

OTD OTR/L CHT COMT CSCS

Jamie Bergner

Jamie Bergner

​Jamie Bergner has over 20 years of clinical expertise as an experienced occupational therapist specializing in ...

OTD OTR/L CHT COMT

Jean-Michel Brismée

Jean-Michel Brismée

Jean-Michel graduated in 1985 from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. In 2000 Jean-Michel completed his ...

PT ScD OCS FAAOMPT

John Woolf

John Woolf

John is a physical therapist and athletic trainer. He studied physical therapy at Northern Arizona University and ...

PT MS ATC PhD COMT

Kasey Miller

Kasey Miller

Kasey received his DPT from Kansas University Medical Center in 2016. He has been faculty with the IAOM-US for 5 ...

DPT, FAAOMPT

Kimberly Ennis

Kimberly Ennis

Kim is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Missouri State University as well as a practicing physical therapist at ...

PT, DPT

Lisa Kozden

Lisa Kozden

Lisa is an occupational therapist with 22 years of experience in treating hand and upper extremity conditions. She ...

MOT, OTR/L, CHT, COMT

Maria Jesus Mena

Maria Jesus Mena

María Jesus is an Assistant Professor at Physical Therapist School at Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, ...

PT

Mirka Normand

Mirka Normand

Ms. Normand graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Laval University in Québec, Canada. ...

MA OTR CHT COMT

Patricia Nelson

Patricia Nelson

Patricia Nelson received her B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Minnesota, and ScD from Texas Tech ...

PT, ScD, FNAP, OCS

Phillip S. Sizer Jr.

Phillip S. Sizer Jr.

Phil graduated in 1985 from the University of Texas, Medical Branch in Galveston TX. He received a MEd in exercise ...

PT PhD OCS FAAOMPT

Sarah Opdycke

Sarah Opdycke

Sarah Opdycke is physical therapist at Advanced Physical Therapy in Anchorage, AK since 2019. Her specialty is ...

PT, DPT, COMT

Sneha Gazi

Sneha Gazi

Dr. Gazi is a graduate of Columbia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has worked with New York ...

PT, DPT

Tiffany Tang

Tiffany Tang

Tiffany has been a practicing occupational therapist since graduation from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in ...

OTD, MBA, CHT, COMT, CFCE, CEAS

Valerie Phelps

Valerie Phelps

graduated with a degree in physical therapy from the University of Minnesota in 1981. She was certified by the ...

PT ScD OCS FAAOMPT

Vicente Mauri

Vicente Mauri

 is an owner of Advanced Physical Therapy in Anchorage, AK. Graduated from Universidad de Chile, where he received ...

PT ScD FAAOMPT

OUR RESIDENCY & FELLOWSHIP FACULTY

Melissa Lodhi

Melissa Lodhi

Melissa is currently employed in the Military environment in Annapolis, Maryland. She received her BS degree in ...

PT, ScD, OCS, ATC, COMT

OUR ALUMNI FACULTY

Mary Kremer

Mary Kremer

Mary graduated from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences, Minnesota in 1977. She was certified by the IAOM ...

PT ScD MOMT

OUR STAFF

Alexander Wielohorski

Alexander Wielohorski

Alexander graduated from Universidad Metropolitana in Venezuela where he obtained a Bachelor in Mechanical ...

ENG, MBA, General Manager

Allison Woolfe

Allison Woolfe

Originally from California, Allison now resides in Eagle River Alaska where she raises her two children with ...

Executive Administrator

Ana Karina Mauri-Sanchez

Ana Karina Mauri-Sanchez

Ana graduated from Universidad Mayor in Chile where she obtained a Bachelor in Publicity in 2010. She later earned ...

Pub, MCB Brand Manager

Jenny Sanchez

Jenny Sanchez

Jenny studied Dentistry in Universidad Santa Maria, Venezuela and completed Post-graduate education in Buco ...

DDS, MHED, Academic Manager

Joel Gaines

Joel Gaines

Joel is a seasoned executive, having held a variety of program management, project management, operations ...

Operations Manager