- Docente: Daniele Romani
- Credits: 2
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Physiotherapy (cod. 8476)
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from Sep 25, 2025 to Oct 17, 2025
Learning outcomes
At the end of the module the student has the knowledge and the ability to understand the general principles of manual therapy. He develops the ability to perform a thorough assessment, design a treatment, and perform the necessary manual therapy techniques.
Course contents
Given the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance at this training program requires all students to complete the specific health and safety training modules at the designated study/work placement locations, both online and in person.
Introduction to the Principles of Manual Therapy
Clinical Reasoning in Manual Therapy and Hypothesis Categories
Pain and Its Mechanisms
Cautions and Contraindications (Red Flag, Yellow Flag)
Movement (Grades/Diagram)
Assessment
Treatment
Recording of Outcome Measures
Differential Tests
Non-specific Low Back Pain
Clinical Assessment/Assessment/Treatment
Practice:
Assessment and treatment of the main areas of the spine, upper limb, and lower limb.
In collaboration and based on ongoing discussion with other instructors on the Integrated Course, to avoid overlap and repetition of content, we will introduce some basic and therapeutic neurodynamic assessment strategies.
Education for Sustainable Development Goals.
Health and well-being
Quality education
Gender equality
Reducing inequalities.
A questionnaire will be administered to assess student opinions on the teaching and services offered, via a dedicated portal, ensuring complete anonymity of responses.
Readings/Bibliography
Barbari V, Dalla Sciatica al mal di schiena. Guida alla gestione di sindromi radicolari, stenosi e low back pain, FisioScience, 2023.
Barbari, Rampone, Segato, Casi clinici in fisioterapia muscoloscheletrica. Guida al ragionamento clinico attraverso casi clinici, FisioScience, 2021.
Banks K, Hengeveld E. Manipolazioni periferiche di Maitland Quarta Edizione, Elsevier Masson, 2007.
Butler, D.S., Explain Pain, Noigroup Publications, 2003.
Butler, D.S., The Sensitive Nervous System, Noigroup Publications - 2000.
Butler, D.S., The Neurodynamic Techniques, Neuro Orthopedic Institute Australasia, First edition 2005 - Reprinted 2008, 2010.
Butler, D.S., Mobilizzazione del Sistema Nervoso, Masson, 2001.
Goodman, Snyder, Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists, Screening for Referral, Saunders Elsevier, 2007.
Greenhalgh, Sue, Selfe, James, Red Flags II, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010.
Greenhalgh, Sue, Selfe, James Red Flags, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2006.
Jeffrey D Boyling, Gwendolyn A Jull, Grieve's Modern Manual Therapy, The vertebral columns, Elsevier - Reprinted 2009
Klinische Muster in der Manuellen Therapie, Thieme, 2011.
Shacklock, M Clinical Neurodynamics - A new system of musculoskeletal treatment, Elsevier, 2005.
Von Piekartz, H. J. M. Craniofacial Pain, Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, 2007.
Von Piekartz, H. J. M. , Bryden, Lynn, Craniofacial Dysfunction & Pain,Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier - First published 2001, Reprinted 2006.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods of face-to-face lessons:
Passive and active didactic approaches will be alternated (Lectures, Practical Exercises, Problem Solving, Problem based learning, Simulations, Role playing, Clinical cases, Brainstorming, group work). Clinical cases.
All lessons will be held face to face, unless otherwise indicated by the Degree Council.
In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the frequency of this training activity requires all students to carry out specific training modules on safety and health in the study / work placements provided both electronically and in person.
Assessment methods
The exam will be practical.
The student will be given 3 practical techniques to perform.
The teacher will assign a score of 10 points to each of the 3 questions (based on student's position, patient positioning, grip, application of forces), thus allowing to reach the maximum score of 30 with honors.
The teacher may decide to increase the number of questions to be administered for a better precision of the evaluation.
The grade is entered on AlmaEsami the same day so that the Integrated Course coordinator can record it upon completion of all the required tests.
The contribution of the teaching evaluation to the final grade of the Integrated Course is defined and decided by the coordinator of the Integrated Course.
Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible
https:/site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students
as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.
Teaching tools
Laptops
Video projector
Whiteboard and markers
Skeleton
Physiotherapy beds
Other
Office hours
See the website of Daniele Romani
SDGs




This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.