About Us
Elevating Clinical Excellence Through Hands-On Mastery
At The Clinician Edge, we believe that skill is developed through deliberate, focused practice. That philosophy drives every aspect of our educational approach.
01
Practice-Driven Learning
Our courses are designed to be 80% hands-on, ensuring you gain practical experience in both assessment and treatment techniques. We focus on what matters most—helping you become more effective with Mobilization With Movement (MWM).
02
Unmatched Teaching Expertise
Our instructors are Accredited Instructors of the Mulligan Concept™ Teacher Association. We lead more Mulligan Concept™ courses than any other organization in North America. Our instructors at The Clinician Edge are the only fellowship-trained manual therapy educators teaching Mobilization With Movement™ (MWM) in the United States—bringing a depth of expertise you can trust.
03
Integrated, Evidence-Based Approach
We incorporate the clinical techniques taught by Brian Mulligan with contemporary evidence-based practice, so you leave every course confident in applying what you've learned to real-world clinical scenarios.
04
Ongoing Mentorship and Professional Development
Whether you're attending your first course or working toward certification, we’re committed to supporting your growth. Our goal is to be a trusted partner throughout your manual therapy journey.
05
Patient-Centered Philosophy
We recognize that both clinicians and patients respond to different inputs. By emphasizing active listening and individualized care, we foster environments that enhance both learning and healing.
Our Founders
Jarrod Brian
- PT, OCS, CMP, CSMT, TPS, MCTA
Jarrod earned his B.S. in Athletic Training/Education from Southern Illinois University in 2001. He received his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the Mayo School of Health Sciences in 2003. Jarrod is an APTA Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and APTA Orthopedic Section member.
Jarrod became a Certified Mulligan Practitioner in 2007 and has assisted teaching Mulligan ConceptTM courses since 2009. He holds certifications from The International Spine and Pain Institute for manual therapy and pain science. Further, he has an extensive background in various manual therapy methods, functional dry needling, and movement assessment systems.
Jarrod works in Rochester, MN treating patients full-time in an outpatient orthopedic setting. He treats a broad variety of outpatient physical therapy conditions utilizing a multimodal, patient-centered approach. He believes the most successful care occurs at the confluence of patient education, well-timed manual therapy, and focused exercise while simultaneously attempting to understand each unique patient’s goals, lifestyle, and environment.
When not practicing, Jarrod enjoys reading, fitness, and spending time with his family and local church.
Jennifer Hamsher - PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, COMT, CMP, ATC, MCTA
Jennifer received her physical therapy degree from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in 1995, graduating summa cum laude. Previously she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training from EWU in 1993. She has worked in orthopedic physical therapy her entire career. She received her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification in 2016. She further specialized as a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) and completed her Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in 2022.
She became a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) in 2019 and completed the rigorous process to become a member of the Mulligan Concept Teacher’s Association in 2024.
Jennifer’s approach to achieving optimal patient outcomes emphasizes attentive and compassionate listening, skilled manual therapy, evidence-based physical therapy, and a commitment to treating each patient as a unique individual. While Jennifer incorporates a variety of approaches into her practice, the Mulligan Concept has been a cornerstone of her work since she was first introduced to it in 2003.
She currently lives and works in Spokane, WA. Outside of work she treasures time spent with her family and enjoys running, hiking and cross-country skiing.
Mark Thomson
- PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CMP, MCTA
Dr. Thomson earned his B.S. in Physiological Science from UCLA in 1992. He graduated from UCSF/SFSU with an MPT degree in 1995. He graduated from the Kaiser Permanente Manual Therapy Fellowship in Los Angeles, CA in 2000. In 2005, he earned his tDPT from Temple University. Dr. Thomson is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and APTA Orthopedic Section member.
Dr. Thomson's clinical practice is currently at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, where he works as a Clinical Specialist and treats outpatient orthopedic patients full time. From 2010 until 2017, he has also worked as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Augustine in San Diego within the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program, teaching courses in Spinal Manipulation, Extremity Manipulation, and Orthopedics. He took his first course from Brian Mulligan in 1999 and began appreciating the value of Mobilization With Movement™ immediately in his practice. He completed the Mulligan Concept™ curriculum and became a Certified Mulligan Practitioner in 2004. Dr. Thomson assisted on Mulligan Concept™ courses, and taught short and long term Maitland courses until 2014 when he became an Accredited Instructor in the Mulligan Concept Teacher Association. From 2016 until 2024 Mark served as the Regional Manager for The Mulligan Concept™ North America. SInce 2014 he has focused his teaching on the Mulligan Concept™, teaching 100's of courses throughout the United States and Mexico.
Dr. Thomson is a clinical faculty member in the Kaiser Southern California Orthopedic Residency program, and thoroughly enjoys mentoring several residents every year. He practices an integrated style of physical therapy, incorporating passive and active mobilization techniques, exercise, and education with a commitment to continual analytical assessment.
Who is Brian Mulligan?
Brian R. Mulligan, FNZSP (Hon), Dip. MT, O.N.Z.M
Founder of the Mulligan Concept™ of Manual Therapy
Brian Mulligan is a globally respected physiotherapist from New Zealand and the originator of the Mulligan Concept, a widely practiced system of manual therapy techniques known for delivering immediate, pain-free improvements in joint function and mobility.
Since qualifying as a physiotherapist in 1954, Brian devoted his career to hands-on patient care and clinical innovation. Drawing on his mentorship under some of the most influential names in manual therapy—Paris, Kaltenborn, Maitland, McKenzie, and others—Brian developed a revolutionary approach that changed the way clinicians treat musculoskeletal conditions.
In the early 1980s, Brian introduced Mobilization With Movement™ (MWM), a technique that blends therapist-applied forces with patient driven active movement. This concept grew to include techniques for both peripheral and spinal joints (NAGs, SNAGs), as well as Pain Release Phenomenon techniques (PRP’s).
To ensure the integrity of his teaching was preserved, he established the Mulligan Concept Teachers Association (MCTA) in 1995. The Clinician Edge is proud to be part of this tradition, offering courses taught by MCTA-accredited instructors who continue Brian’s legacy through evidence-informed, hands-on education.
Brian has taught in over 20 countries and 90+ U.S. cities, authored multiple textbooks used in postgraduate manual therapy education, and remains active in the international community of clinicians. His contributions were formally recognized with his appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022.
At The Clinician Edge, we practice and teach the Mulligan Concept™because it is manual therapy that makes sense. The Mulligan Concept™ works quickly, safely, and with a patient-centered approach that aligns with best clinical practice.
What is the Mulligan Concept™?
The Mulligan Concept™ of Manual Therapy emerged in the early 1980s when New Zealand physiotherapist Brian Mulligan made a groundbreaking clinical observation: combining a gentle, passive joint glide with a patient’s active movement could instantly restore pain-free motion. This discovery laid the foundation for what became known as Mobilisation With Movement™ (MWM)—a safe, effective, and easy-to-integrate assessment and treatment concept that quickly gained international recognition.
Unlike traditional passive mobilizations, the Mulligan Concept emphasizes active patient involvement, often producing immediate improvements in range of motion, function, and confidence. Over time, the system expanded to include spinal techniques like Natural Apophyseal Glides (NAGs) and Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs), as well as Pain Release Phenomenon techniques (PRP’s).
The effectiveness of these techniques led to rapid adoption across the global manual therapy community. To ensure consistent instruction and uphold clinical quality, Brian established the Mulligan Concept Teachers Association (MCTA) in 1995. All instructors accredited by the MCTA meet rigorous teaching standards and clinical competency benchmarks.
Today, the Mulligan Concept is supported by a growing body of clinical research and is taught in universities, postgraduate programs, and continuing education courses around the world. Its core principles—pain-free movement, precise technique, and patient empowerment—continue to resonate with therapists seeking practical tools to improve outcomes and build trust with their patients.
At The Clinician Edge, we proudly carry this legacy forward by offering live, in-person Mulligan Concept courses across North America—rooted in hands-on lab training, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based instruction.
What are the Mechanisms of MWM’s effect?
This is a quick summary of the possible mechanisms of Mobilization With Movement’s positive effects, starting with Brian Mulligan’s original hypothesis in the 1980’s and 90’s, to the current ideas reflective of the evolution of manual therapy in general but particularly active, patient empowered manual therapy as taught by the Mulligan Concept Teacher Association.
1. Positional Fault Correction (Mulligan’s Original Clinical Theory)
Mulligan proposed that minor joint misalignments, termed "positional faults," can occur due to injury or dysfunction, leading to pain and restricted movement. MWM aims to correct these faults by applying a sustained accessory glide to the joint while the patient performs a specific active movement, resulting in immediate and lasting improvements in pain and function.
2. Mechanical Effects
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Tissue Stretching and Remodeling:
MWM involves sustained accessory mobilization combined with active movement, which can stretch joint capsules, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues. This mechanical stretching may promote tissue remodeling and increased flexibility. -
Enhanced Synovial Fluid Movement:
The mobilization component of MWM can facilitate the movement of synovial fluid within the joint, promoting nutrient exchange and reducing stiffness.
3. Neurophysiological Effects
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Mechanoreceptor Stimulation:
MWM stimulates joint mechanoreceptors, which can modulate pain perception through the gate control theory. This stimulation may lead to a reduction in pain and an improvement in joint function. -
Hypoalgesia:
MWM may stimulate joint mechanoreceptors, leading to a reduction in pain perception. This hypoalgesic effect is thought to result from the modulation of nociceptive input at both spinal and supraspinal levels. -
Arthrokinetic Reflex:
The technique may influence muscle activity through the arthrokinetic reflex, where joint movement affects muscle tone and activation patterns, potentially improving motor control around the joint. -
Sympathetic Nervous System Modulation:
MWM can produce sympathoexcitatory effects, altering sympathetic nervous system activity, which may contribute to pain relief and improved function.
4. Pain-Free Active Movement and Central Sensitization.
Engaging in pain-free active movements during MWM can help reduce central sensitization—a condition where the central nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals. By facilitating movement without pain, MWM may "retrain" the nervous system, decreasing its hyper-responsiveness and breaking the cycle of chronic pain.
5. Fear-Avoidance Behavior Reduction
Chronic pain often leads to fear-avoidance behaviors, where individuals avoid movements they anticipate will cause pain, potentially leading to further disability. MWM's emphasis on pain-free movement can help alleviate these fears, encouraging patients to re-engage in activities and reducing the psychological barriers to movement.
6. Therapeutic Alliance and Patient Engagement
The collaborative nature of MWM fosters a strong therapeutic alliance between clinician and patient. This partnership enhances patient confidence, adherence to treatment, and overall satisfaction, which are critical factors in successful rehabilitation outcomes.
In summary, MWM's effectiveness stems from its ability to address mechanical joint issues, modulate nervous system sensitivity, reduce psychological barriers to movement, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship. This multifaceted approach makes it a valuable tool in the management of various musculoskeletal conditions.
