Toms River Campus – Friday, July 17, 2026 • 9am–6pm
Presented by Matthew Gavzy, LMT, BCTMB
In 2014 there were over one million total hip replacements and total knee replacements combined performed in the United States alone. That number is expected to increase to over four million by the year 2030 according to the American Joint Replacement Registry. That does not include total shoulder replacements, reverse total shoulder replacements or rotator cuff surgeries.
There is an education gap between a massage therapist and an entry level PTA or PT, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. Too many massage therapists do not understand hip and shoulder orthopedic pathologies, how the surgeries are performed and what post-surgical safeguards and precautions the surgeon may require of the patient and therapist. This course describes these pathologies, the surgical procedures and their post-surgical precautions so the massage therapist will be better able to treat their patients without doing harm to the patient or the surgeries.
While this course is not a technique course, students will get a refresher in anatomy and arthrokinematics, learn about goniometry, how to use a goniometer and landmark properly, and review joint ROM measurements. They will be educated on normal and abnormal end feels when assessing ROM and what that means in terms of possible tissue damage. Students will learn about manual muscle testing and how to perform it properly, understand and apply grading scales , and what that means for possible pathologies. Students will be able to evaluate the above information and apply it to their patients. They will understand how to communicate with doctors and physical therapists in "their own language.”
Course Objectives
- Improve anatomical and arthrokinematics knowledge
- Describe pathologies, surgeries, and employ precautions
- Perform goniometry
- Review normal joint ROM
- Perceive normal and abnormal joint End Feel
- Demonstrate Manual Muscle Testing
- Apply grading systems
- Evaluate the above information
- Communicate with MDs and PTs in their language to foster better understanding of how massage can help their patients
Instructor Bio
Matthew is a Licensed Massage Therapist with over 25 years of experience. He is a Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. He holds AMTA certifications as a Clinical Sports Massage Specialist and Clinical Rehabilitative Massage Specialist. His experience includes working at prestigious events such as the 1996 Atlanta Olympic and Paralympic Games, ATP and WTA Tennis events, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, and the NY, Boston, and Baltimore Marathons.
Additionally, Matthew holds a BS in Economics from the University of Delaware and is the owner of Body Workings Massage Therapy, which specializes in Orthopedic, Sports, and Chronic Pain Management massage.
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