Shoulder Rehabilitation: What's new from a scientific and clinical point of view? (Level II) Professor Ann Cools

Course goals and content

Course dates: Tuesday 17th - Wednesday 18th November 2026

In the area of shoulder rehabilitation, scientific knowledge and insights in the clinical application of research data have been evolving the past few years in an enormous extent. The purpose of this second shoulder rehabilitation course is to provide additional theoretical insights, clinical reasoning processes and practical skills in the rehabilitation of the shoulder, bringing an update as well as an extension of the existing knowledge, covered in the level 1 course. In particular the aims are twofold: first goal is to discuss and practice into detail the role of the scapula in shoulder pain assessment and rehabilitation.

Additionally, some specific pathologies are discussed, that were not thoroughly covered in the level 1 course. Objective measurements of shoulder variables and functional tests are introduced, with a link to return to activity/sports criteria after injury. This advanced course is science based, but also offers multiple hands-on opportunities, with a thorough clinical examination as a basis for therapeutic decision-making processes. This course is a level 2 course, expanding knowledge and skills within the area of shoulder rehabilitation beyond the topics covered in the level 1 course. Completion of the first course is advisable but not required. Both courses may be followed separately.

This 2- day course consists of theoretical background sessions (30%), critical interactive discussions (20%) and practical sessions (50%). The target public is physiotherapists with a special interest for shoulder rehabilitation. Novice as well as experienced physiotherapists have the opportunity to update their knowledge and skills. General insights in shoulder anatomy, biomechanics, including pathomechanical injury mechanisms, are assumed to be acquired. Completion of course 1 is not obligatory.

Goals and competences to achieve

After completion of this course, the participant will have reached the following competences:

• The participant has updated insights in the advanced biomechanics of the scapulothoracic function, pathomechanics of rotator cuff tears, and atraumatic instability (upgrade of content of course level 1)
• The participant can apply clinical reasoning principles and perform specific analytical measurements (ROM, isometric strength, pectoralis minor length, scapular position) as an add-on to clinical examination of the shoulder girdle
• The participant is able to use the scientific background for the decision-based return to play approach, using reference values and reliable and valid RTP-tests
• The participant can apply clinical reasoning principles and algorithms for the treatment of scapular dysfunction, biceps related disorders, and the conservative approach of degenerative rotator cuff tears (upgrade of content level 1)
• The participant can conceptualise, organise, perform, critically reflect, and remediate a progressive treatment program for the patient with shoulder pain
• The participant performs all skills and exercises, comprised in the course, during the practical sessions of the course
• The participant can critically discuss examination and treatment principles with the course teacher and his peers during the interactive sessions
• The participant can integrate recent scientific knowledge (provided by scientific papers) into the clinical reasoning process of shoulder examination and rehabilitation 

Day 1

9.00 - 10.30: Look Beyond the Shoulder: The Kinetic Chain and the Scapula

The role of the kinetic chain in normal shoulder function, sports performance, and shoulder pain. Coupled movements, the role of the SC joint, function of the “postural” muscles versus the “dynamic movers and stabilizers”, update literature of scapular dyskinesis in relation to shoulder pathology, clinical observation of scapular dysfunction.

10.30 - 11.00: Break

11.00 - 12.30: Advanced Clinical Examination of the Scapula and the Kinetic Chain

Observation of scapular dysfunction, objective measurements of scapular inclination and strength, normative data for scapular flexibility and strength variables, decision making based on the “symptom reduction test-model”,  and on the different types of scapular dyskinesis.

12.30 - 13.30: Break

13.30 - 15.00: Advanced Rehabilitation of Scapular Dysfunction and Kinetic Chain Disorders

Clinical reasoning and treatment skills based on the 3 types of scapular dyskinesis, proprioceptive taping techniques to correct scapular position, stretching and soft tissue techniques for pect minor, specific exercise selection to correct muscular imbalances.

15.00 - 15.30: Break

15.30 - 17.00: Advanced Rehabilitation of Scaplular Dysfuncion and Kinetic Chain Disorders Continued.

Day 2

9.00 - 10.30: Rehabilitation of Biceps Related Pathology

Science based rehabilitation protocol and guidelines for conservative and postoperative rehabilitation of biceps related pathology, including SLAP lesions(exercise progression, excentric training, plyometric drills).

10.30 - 11.00: Break

11.00 - 12.30: Return to Play After Injury and High Performance Training

Specific high level exercises for gymnasts, collision sports, high impact sports, and science based return to play criteria, including objective measurements of glenohumeral ROM and strength.

12.30-13.30 Break

13.30-15.00: Conservative and Postoperative Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears

Conservative management of partial and full thickness (irreparable) rotator cuff tears and guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation (exercises, taping, return to activity advices).

15.00 - 15.30: Break

15.30 - 17.00: Conservative Approach for Multidirectional Instability

Progressive conservative treatment of the patient with atraumatic  (unvoluntary and voluntary) multidirectional instability – closed and open chain exercise approach, taping techniques.

1. The participant has to update his knowledge on basic anatomy and kinesiology of the shoulder girdle, and on the kinematics of the throwing shoulder (phases of throwing, joint positions and possible threats to injury, muscle activity patterns). Additionally, the participant needs to have basic knowledge on the most common shoulder disorders, namely rotator cuff tendinopathy, degenerative tears, instability, biceps pathology, SLAP lesions, frozen shoulder, scapular disorders.

2. It is advised that the forwarded literature (scientific papers) is read prior to the start of the course. The papers will be used during the course in a clinically relevant application, while critically interpreted.

3. The participant should critically reflect on the following question: “How do I use scientific papers in the clinical practice?”

Ann Cools is a physiotherapist, working as an associate professor at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at the Ghent University, Belgium. Her topic of research and teaching expertise, is shoulder rehabilitation in general, and sport specific approach and scapular involvement in particular. Besides her academic work, she runs a shoulder clinic in a private practice.

She finished her PhD in 2003, debating scapular involvement in sports related shoulder pain in the overhead athlete, and she has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed international journals, wrote contributions and chapters in several international recognised books, and gives courses on a national and international level. She was head of the Physical Therapy Education at the Ghent University 2008-2016, and was founding member and president of the European Society of Shoulder and Elbow Rehabilitation (EUSSER) 2008-2012.

Since 2016, she is also affiliated as senior researcher to the Department of Physiotherapy of the Bispebjerg Hospital and the Department of Sports Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She is currently a member of the Board of the International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists, organizing the 3-annual world congress for shoulder and elbow therapists, and is founding board member of the Flemish Shoulder Network. 

Venue address

Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park Campus, Childwall, Liverpool L16 9JD.

Registration: EDEN Building (Grid reference 8, Map of Hope Park Campus). The building is fully accessible to all visitors.