Demystifying the Pelvis
 April 25-26, 2026
MedStar Hospital, Washington DC

19.5 HOURS CE/CEU Approved by Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners 
Approval Number 2026-10
This comprehensive, hands-on course provides evidence-informed, innovative assessment and treatment strategies for all types of lumbopelvic dysfunction. Led by renowned clinician and educator Jerry Hesch, MHS, PT, DPT, participants will
develop practical skills applicable to the pelvis, lumbar spine, hips, and related regions.

​Objectives
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
  • Have a detailed understanding of relevant biomechanics and arthrokinematics, and understand the research that underlies this paradigm.
  • Appreciate the utility of evidence-informed practice.
  • To review the course material several times (the micro mobility impairments and treatment), via the pre-course, workshop, and post-course presentations, to enhance retention.
  • Understand the difference between treatable primary patterns and secondary reflex compensations. The compensation should be resolved without direct intervention once the cause is addressed.
  • Become proficient with skilled palpation and load – spring – recoil spring tests throughout the body.
  • Competently treat reflex- and positionally driven hypo- and hypermobility.
  • Comfortably apply the principles of low load, long duration, viscoelastic creep, and neuro articular/neuro myofascial micromotion corrections.
  • Learn new manual care techniques that are much more user-friendly for the therapist's body and lend themselves readily to patient self-treatment. 
  • Understand how to correct patterns with an alternative to "adjustments" AKA HVLA Thrust/Manipulation to joints. The correction will​ resolve restricted micromotion, normalize soft-tissue tone, and normalize neurology within 1 to 3 visits, allowing patients to segue into exercise rehab without the need for continued hands-on care.
  • Be able to render effective interventions that can be applied to more than one client at a time, impacting mechanoreceptors, restoring micromotion, and relaxing soft tissues, thereby enhancing care and revenue.
  • Be able to resolve both sides of the coin - reflex agonist muscle hypertonicity and inhibition of the antagonist - in 1 to 3 visits for lasting benefit. Become competent in teaching specific self-treatment of the identified impairments and understand the appropriate home care schedule thereof.
  • Competently teach patients exercises that complement the treatment of the patterns being addressed.
 
Agenda
Online Didactic Modules: (Accessible at your own pace prior to the lab day)
Pre-Course Video #1 - 1.5 Hours
  • Briefly review fundamental biomechanical principles. Introduce the Hesch-informed model of micromotion spring testing throughout the body and demonstrate how to practice them before the workshop. Review articular anatomy and arthrokinematics of Common patterns of micromotion, gross mobility impairments, and common diagnostic topics will be presented.
  • Review the theory and assign homework to practice articular spring testing. The goal is to prepare for the in-person workshop by building a memory bank to support hands-on learning. Repetition is the key to mastery.
  • Additional theory and treatment will be presented at the workshop. A post-test will be provided.

Pre-Course Video #2 - 1.5 Hours
  • Continuation of the same material as video 1.

Post-Course Review Webinars - 1.5 hours
Date: May 18, 2026 ,12:00-1:30pm
  • This will review the evaluation and treatment of all patterns addressed in the pre-course video and in-person workshop. They will be scheduled from 1 to 4 weeks after the in-person workshop. The webinars will be recorded and made available. A post-test will be provided.

Course Schedule: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day
Includes 1-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks
 
Saturday Lab Day April 25, 2026: (Full-day, in-person session)
7:30am       Registration
8:00            Historical Review of the Lumbopelvic Paradigm and a Contemporary
Research-Based Paradigm
8:30            Principles of Evidence-Based Practice and Evidence-Informed Practice

9:00            Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Motion, Function/dysfunction, Manual Therapy Principles, The Limits of SIJ Pain Provocation Tests, and SIJ Injection
10:00          Break
10:15          Patterns of Lumbopelvic-Hip Motion Dysfunction
12:00          Lunch
1:00            Patterns of Lumbopelvic-Hip Motion Dysfunction
3:00            Break
3:15            Patterns of Lumbopelvic-Hip Motion Dysfunction
5:00pm       Dismissal
 
Sunday Lab Day April 26, 2026: (Full-day, in-person session)
7:30am       Registration
8:00            Literature Review, Medical Screen, Radiology, Pain, medical interventions (injections, rhizotomy, fusion), Patterns of Lumbopelvic-Hip, Motion Dysfunction, Pubic Joint Dysfunction
10:00          Break
10:15          Patterns of Pubic Joint Motion Dysfunction
12:00          Lunch
1:00            Patterns of Lumbopelvic-Hip Motion Dysfunction, Side-Bent Coccyx, Posterior Glide/extended Coccyx, Flexed Coccyx, Maigne X-Ray Protocol, Coccygeal Instability
3:00            Break
3:15            Advanced patterns, Sitting comfort/Seat modification, Sacroiliac Supports, Leg Length Inequality, Exercise, Proper Body Mechanics
4:30            Q&A, YouTube and Web Resources, Certification Process, Introduction to the Whole-Body Material
5:00pm       Dismissal
 
Suggested Audience
PT/PTA, Other Licensed Professionals, Hands-on Clinicians
 
Tuition
  • MedStar Health/MHPT – $675
  • Public – $675
  
Cancellation Policy
  • Any cancellation made on or before 4/17/2026 will incur a $75 cancellation fee.
  • Any cancellation on or after 4/20/2026 will result in no monetary refund.  However, full credit will be applied to the Hesch Institute online courses.
​​
Difficulty Level
Advanced – Includes in-depth theory, concepts, and applications of information
and/or techniques that are presented beyond the Essential Level.


Where – In Person
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
102 Irving Street NW
Washington, DC, 20010
202-877-1000 Main
 
Parking Recommendations
  • Parking is available for patients and visitors in both Pavilion I (Blue Parking) next to the hospital and Pavilion II (Yellow Parking) in the Physician’s Office building across the street.
  • The Hospital Parking Garage is open 24 hours, every day.
  • The Physician Office Garage is open Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except holidays. Visitors can exit at any time using automated pay stations.
  • Due to the high volume of patients and visitors to our campus, we highly recommend using public transportation when coming to the hospital.
 
Parking Rates – Subject to change without notice
  • Parking is $6 and cash is required for the discounted parking voucher. 
  • Parking is available on campus in either Blue or Yellow garages (one across from NRH, the other adjacent).
 
Room Access
The Auditorium is located at the MedStar NRH Main Campus on the ground floor.
Upon entering the Hospital, take the elevators to the LEFT of the Security Desk. Go
to the GROUND FLOOR. The Auditorium is across from the elevators on your right.
 
Contact Hours
  • 19.5 HOURS CE/CEU Approved by Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners 
    Approval Number 2026-10    ​