Manual Therapy Fellowship for Physical Therapists – The Ola Grimsby Institute

Fellowship in Manual Therapy

Fellowship Catalog

The Ola Grimsby Institute, with a 50-year legacy of excellence, delivers transformative orthopedic manual therapy education across the U.S., South America, Europe, and Asia. Our 2-year Fellowship empowers practicing physical therapists to achieve clinical mastery, integrating advanced manual techniques, evidence-based practice, and innovative research to elevate patient care.

Mission Statement for the Ola Grimsby Institute Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Therapy

The Ola Grimsby Institute is devoted to delivering unparalleled, integrated manual therapy education to practicing orthopedic outpatient manual therapists. Our mission is to cultivate highly competent, autonomous professionals who excel in diagnosing and treating neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction. Through visionary strategic initiatives and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, we champion clinical excellence by advancing clinicians’ expertise, intellectual rigor, and dedication to clinically relevant research. We inspire our students to master the synthesis and application of scientific knowledge, advanced manual skills, and critical thinking in patient assessment and intervention. Competency is meticulously assessed through rigorous written, oral, and practical examinations, complemented by outcome-based evaluations. Our aspiration is to empower students through our transformative two-year fellowship, advanced third-year clinical specialization, optional PhD program, and comprehensive certification courses to craft scientifically informed, patient-centered treatments that optimize outcomes, minimize treatment duration, and elevate the health and vitality of every patient.
Our Fellowship immerses you in a comprehensive curriculum encompassing evaluation, soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization, spinal manipulation, exercise, and patient education. Personalized 1:1 clinical mentoring elevates your expertise far beyond traditional continuing education, fostering mastery in orthopedic manual therapy. With a foundation in basic sciences and evidence-based practice, our curriculum emphasizes differential diagnosis, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. Move beyond classification systems to confidently diagnose and design precise interventions, eliminating guesswork and maximizing patient impact. Explore regional interdependence, movement systems, medical screening, pathology, imaging, nutrition, and psychosocial factors, including chronic pain, for holistic patient care.

Mastering Manual Therapy

Our Fellowship integrates manual therapy techniques from diverse global traditions, empowering Fellows in Training to select and dose interventions with precision, tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our cutting-edge curriculum evolves with the orthopedic manual therapy profession, ensuring you remain at the forefront of clinical practice. Hands-on courses and personalized mentoring sharpen your skills in mobilization and spinal manipulation, fostering confidence and competence.

Precision in Exercise

A hallmark of our Fellowship is the Scientific Therapeutic Exercise Progressions (STEP) curriculum, rooted in Norwegian Medical Exercise Therapy (MET). Learn to design, dose, and progress exercises with specificity, integrating evaluation and manual techniques for optimal patient outcomes. This evidence-based approach ensures you deliver targeted interventions that enhance recovery and vitality.

Advanced Specialization and Doctoral Opportunities

Elevate your expertise beyond the 2-year Fellowship with our advanced third-year Clinical Specialization in Manual Therapy, designed to refine your clinical mastery and leadership in the field. For those seeking the pinnacle of academic achievement, our optional PhD program offers a pathway to contribute groundbreaking research to orthopedic manual therapy, with opportunities for publication and international recognition.

Impact and Outcomes

Graduates of the OGI Fellowship consistently achieve superior patient outcomes, delivering scientifically informed treatments that reduce treatment duration and enhance patient vitality. Our Fellows in Training have published impactful research, earned FAAOMPT credentials, and assumed leadership roles in orthopedic manual therapy worldwide. Join a global community of elite clinicians transforming lives through evidence-based practice.

Course Dates and Locations

Fellowship in Manual Therapy 2026 (Arlington, Washington) January 10, 2026 – December 15, 2027
Fellowship in Manual Therapy 2026 (Chicago, Illinois) January 10, 2026 – December 15, 2027

Fellowship Components

Our streamlined 2-year Fellowship replaces our previous residency and fellowship structure, offering an intensive, hands-on training experience that immerses participants in real-world clinical scenarios. Delivered through our innovative educational platform, the entire didactic curriculum is accessible electronically, enabling 100% lab-focused sessions during campus visits. With only three weekend campus visits per semester, the flexible structure ensures convenience without compromising educational depth.

Semester 1: Pre-Clinical Independent Study
Begin with an immersive Day 1 orientation, meeting mentors and peers, exploring the OGI concept, and receiving a personalized study plan. Learn to navigate our digital learning platform and commit to a journey of clinical excellence.
Semesters 2-4: Hands-On Clinical Mastery
Engage in intensive, lab-oriented training designed to hone essential clinical skills under expert guidance. With 100% lab-focused sessions, you’ll develop proficiency in real-world scenarios. The Fellowship culminates in a comprehensive final exam, showcasing your knowledge and skills.

Clinical Mentoring

1:1 Clinical Mentoring Hours: 150
Personalized 1:1 clinical mentoring with OGI faculty or clinical mentors elevates your skills beyond traditional coursework. These 150 hours of direct supervision ensure tailored guidance for clinical excellence.
Supervised Clinical Hours: 440
Complete 440 hours of clinical supervision (including the 150 1:1 mentoring hours) in your routine work environment, with ongoing support from OGI faculty via phone, email, or other communication methods.
Required Research

Fellows in Training undertake a research project, approved by the Ola Grimsby Institute, such as an intensive literature review or formal case study. This opportunity fosters contributions to the field and prepares you for potential publication or further academic pursuits, including the optional PhD.
Examinations
Before completion, Fellows must pass rigorous written, oral, and practical/clinical examinations to demonstrate competency. Successful graduates receive a certificate of completion. For details, see the OGI Examination Policy.

Applications

Prerequisites: Applicants must practice in an orthopedic manual therapy outpatient clinic, hold an active physical therapy license, provide two letters of recommendation, and maintain active APTA membership.
Visit our Student Registration Portal, select the Fellowship, and complete the registration process by downloading, filling out, and uploading the Application Form.
After review, we will send an Enrollment Agreement to your registered email. Complete and return it as instructed.
Upon receipt of the signed Enrollment Agreement, make payments via the Student Registration Portal and begin your path to clinical mastery.

Take the first step toward clinical excellence and join a global community of elite manual therapists. Apply today to transform your practice and elevate patient care with the Ola Grimsby Institute.

Program Costs

Tuition (including all seminars and examinations): $12,896
Payable in 4 equal installments of $3,224.
Previous OGI participants (Certification of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Part I and II) receive a 25% rebate: $9,672 total or 4 installments of $2,418.

Benefits of Fellowship Completion

FAAOMPT Credential: Apply for Fellow status with the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT). Graduates are responsible for obtaining and submitting AAOMPT paperwork.
International Recognition: Gain membership with IFOMPT, a globally recognized standard in manual therapy.
Advanced Academic Pathways: The Fellowship is a prerequisite for our third-year Clinical Specialization in Manual Therapy and optional PhD program.
Research Opportunities: Contribute to the field through research, with potential for publication and progression toward a PhD.

AAOMPT Approved

As a Founding Fellow of the AAOMPT, the Ola Grimsby Institute’s Fellowship meets the international standards of IFOMPT. Graduates may apply for the prestigious FAAOMPT credential, marking them as leaders in orthopedic manual therapy.