Dr. Michael Wong, PT, DPT, OCS., FAAOMPT
Dr. Michael Wong holds a full time appointment as an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University, teaching in the specialty areas of Modalities, Therapeutic Exercises, Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Evidence Based Practice, Diagnostic imaging and Medical Screening. He is a residency and fellowship trained orthopaedic clinical specialist. He currently lectures for the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Orthopaedic Fellowship and Sports Rehabilitation Program and the University of Southern California (USC) Spine Fellowship.
He is the author of Pocket Orthopaedics: Evidence based survival guide and has presented nationally and internationally on various topics related to manual therapy and movement. Dr. Wong has lectured in 17 sessions for Combined Sections Meeting in the last 5 years (2015-2019) covering topics related to movement analysis, manual therapy and using technology to enhance guideline implementation and entry level education.
Dr. Wong plays an important role in international Physical Therapy education, spending 1 month per year mentoring and teaching in Beijing, China for the University of Southern California Orthopaedic Residency and Spine Fellowship.
Dr. Michael Wong graduated from the Entry-level Physical Therapy Professional Program at Loma Linda University in 2000, receiving his Masters of Physical Therapy Degree. In 2001, he received his Post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree while simultaneously completing the Kaiser Permanente Orthopedic Residency Program.
In 2003 Dr. Wong continued with his advanced training in physical therapy by successfully completing the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Fellowship Program in Manual Therapy. In 2003 he also began teaching orthopaedics at Azusa Pacific University, became a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist. He has been a reviewer for the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy musculoskeletal imaging feature.
Along with his teaching responsibilities at the University, he is a designated Teaching and Learning Fellow and Chairs the Institutional Review Board that oversees ethical human subjects research. He was awarded Faculty of the Year in 2014 for the School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences at Azusa Pacific University.
He lectures for the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Orthopaedic Fellowship and Sports Rehabilitation Program and the University of Southern California (USC) Spine Fellowship.
Dr. Wong has presented nationally and internationally on various topics related to manual therapy and movement. He was a keynote speaker at the 2011 Ohio State Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference regarding the latest guidelines: Neck/Shoulder Disorders: Get with the Guidelines and Low Back/Hip Disorders: Get with the Guidelines.
He is currently a lead author on the Medical Screening Guidelines Task Force sponsored by the Orthopaedic and Federal sections of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Dr. Wong is the Founder and CEO of Clinical Pattern Recognition/PhysioU LLC. The leading educational technology platform in physical therapy.
Awards received:
James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award, 2023, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARD, Lead Author, Wong MS, Yung E, Henley C, Davenport T, Vogsland R, Koo J, Godges J Clinical Practice Guidelines: Red Flags- Examination for Referral, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Grant Approved January 2018 ($10,000)
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARD Principal Investigator. Yung EY, Wong MS, Cameron D, Grimes JK. Posteriorly directed pressures versus laterally directed non-thrust joint manipulation in patients with neck pain- a randomized clinical trial. American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists OPTP Research Grant, approved for funded October 2014 ($2,000 external grant).
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARD Principal Investigator. Yung EY, Wong MS, Cameron D, Grimes JK. Placebo-controlled comparison of cardiovascular response to laterally directed and anteriorly directed non-thrust joint manipulation of the cervical spine. American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists OPTP Research Grant, funded October 18, 2013 ($2,000 external grant).
Faculty of the Year- School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences 2014, Azusa Pacific University
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences Award for Innovative Technology 2012: Low back pain App
Best Poster 3rd Place American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist Annual Conference 2011 “Use of mirror box therapy for reducing fear avoidance in a patient with ankle open reduction internal fixation”
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences Collaborative Research Grant: Effect of lutimax nutritional supplement on cycling time trial performance and interleukin levels 2008-2010
Distinguished Alumnus Award Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions April, 2009
Robert Nakaji Physical Therapist Clinical Fellowship Scholarship June, 2001
Kaiser Permanente Certificate of Appreciation: Development of Pocket PT Handbook November, 2001
Inland Counties District, California APTA Student Achievement Scholarship Award June, 2000
Loma Linda University Student Research Award June, 2000
Loma Linda University School of Physical Therapy Faculty Award June, 2000
California Research Special Interest Group Honors- Presenter of the Year 2000
Recent Publications include:
Wong, M Pocket Orthopaedics: an evidence based survival guide Bartlett and Jones Publishers 2009.
Wong, M; Godges, J; Boissonault, B; Chapter 6 Symptom Investigation Primary Care for the Physical Therapist: Examination and Triage, Second Edition Saunders 2011
Recent presentations include:
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS, Yung E, Henley C, Davenport T, Vogsland R, Koo J, Godges J.“Guidelines for Differential Diagnosis: Equipping the Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapist” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Washington DC, January 2019
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS, LeMoine M, Bell S. Morcos A.“Sports Medicine Secrets: Ankle and Foot Strength, Mobility, and Coordination Deficits” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Washington DC, January 2019
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS. Chung W. Matsuda G. Shore S. ”Fostering partnerships: Innovative bridges between didactic and clinical education through the use of Guideline based mobile apps” Educational Leadership Conference, Jacksonville, Florida, October 2018.
Educational session (2 hours). Yung E. Wong MS. Bell S. Samson JY.“ Advanced Cervicothoracic and Shoulder Interventions for Upper Limb Symptoms.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2018.
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS. Patterson C, Teyhen D, Walton D.“Digital Solutions for Behavior Change.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2018.
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS, LeMoine M, Bell S. Morcos A.“Sports Medicine Secrets: Motor control for the Upper Quarter Athlete” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2018.
Educational session (2 hours). Davenport T. Vogsland R. Wong MS. Yung E. Godges J. “Guidelines to Expert Red Flag Pattern Recognition: Equipping the Primary Care PT” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2018.
Platform Presentation Yung E. Wong MS. Barton EM. Ali MI. Breakey A. Grimes J. Cameron D. “Is sympathoinhibition possible in manual therapy of the neck? Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Trial in Pain-Free Adults.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, UT, October 21, 2017
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS, Yung E, Bell S. Samson JY.“Advanced Cervico-Thoracic & Shoulder Interventions for Upper Limb.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, February 2017.
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS, LeMoine M, Bell S. Morcos A.“Sports medicine secrets: Aberrant spinal movements in the Rotational athlete.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, February 2017.
Educational session (2 hours). Wong MS, Godges J, Brennan G, Teyhen D, Irrgang , Hayashida, M.“Disrupting and transforming society as we “Get with the Guidelines.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, February 2017.
Poster Presentation. Yung E. Wong MS. Ali MI. Breakey A. Barton EM. Peterson K. Ching K. “Sympathoinhibition can improve functional and clinical outcomes in acute neck pain- preliminary findings of a randomized clinical trial.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, February 2017.
Poster Presentation. Yung E. Wong MS. Ali MI. Smith T. Barton EM. Peterson K. Cameron D. Grimes J. Ching K. Sullivan A. “A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cardiovascular Response Comparison Of Unilateral Posterior-To-Anteriorly Directed Mobilization Of The Neck In Pain-Free Adults.” International Federation of Orthopaedic and Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) Conference 2016 Glasgow, Scotland, July 4, 2016.
Poster Presentation. Yung E. Wong MS. Ali MI. Barton EM. Peterson K. Ching K.. “Immediate And Short-Term Response To Posterior Pressures Versus Lateral Glides In Patients With Neck Pain- A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.” International Federation of Orthopaedic and Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) Conference 2016 Glasgow, Scotland, July 4, 2016.
Educational session (2 hours) Wong MS, San Gabriel Valley District Meeting, Clinical Pattern Recognition for complex upper quarter conditions, San Gabriel, 2016
Educational session (2 hours) Wong MS, Kumagai-Shimamura K, Tabak R, “Demystifying the Neurologic Patient”
National Student Conclave, Miami, Florida, October 29, 2016
Educational session (2 hours) Bezner J. Wong MS. Yung E. “Disruptive Change in the Classroom, the Clinic, and Our Profession.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California, February 20, 2016.
Educational session (2 hours) Yung E. Wong MS. Bell S. Samson JY. “Cervicothoracic and Shoulder Interventions for Upper Limb Symptoms.” APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California, February 18, 2016.
Poster Presentation Yung E. Wong M. Barton E. Powell H. Wikfors K. Schipper S. Smith T. Systolic Blood Pressure Response to Laterally Directed Non‐Thrust Joint Manipulation of the Cervical Spine: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial. APTA Combined Sections Meeting Orthopaedic Section, Anaheim, California, February 19, 2016.
Poster Presentation Yung E. De Noyelles J. LeMoine M. Wong M. Systolic Blood Pressure Response to Laterally Directed Non‐Thrust Joint Manipulation of the Cervical Spine: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial. APTA Combined Sections Meeting Orthopaedic Section, Anaheim, California, February 19, 2016.
Educational session (1 hour). Potter M. Wong M. Yung E. “Using OMT and Sports skills to Maximize Outcome for Cervico-Thoracic and Shoulder Painful Conditions- from the Clinic to the Athletic Field.” 2015 American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) Annual Conference in Louisville, KY, Oct 24, 2015.
Educational session (1-1/2 hours). Wong MS. Yung E. “Clinical Pattern Recognition for Low Back Pain.” 2015 California Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference in Pasadena, California, September 27, 2015.
Lead instructor- 2015 Azusa Pacific University Faculty Learning Community- “Digital Pedagogy”
Presenter- 2015 Azusa Pacific University- Faculty Development Day “Course Redesign Superstars”
Classic platform presentation- 2015 World Confederation for Physical Therapy, Singapore
“SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSE TO LATERALLY DIRECTED PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE CERVICAL SPINE- A RANDOMIZED, REPEATED-MEASURES, DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY”
Poster Presentation- 2015 World Confederation for Physical Therapy, Singapore
“CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE TO ANTERIORLY DIRECTED PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE CERVICAL SPINE- A RANDOMIZED, REPEATED-MEASURES, DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY”
Presenter- 2015 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Indianapolis Educational session: “Sports Medicine Secrets for the Advanced Orthopaedic Clinician”
Presenter- 2015 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Indianapolis Educational session: “Cervicothoracic-Shoulder Contributions to Upper Limb Symptoms”
Presenter- 2014 California Chapter APTA Annual Meeting, Oakland, CA
Educational session: “Using Clinical Pattern Recognition to Demystify Cervico-Thoracic and Shoulder complex Problems”
Presenter- 2014 Orthopaedic Section Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO
Break out session: “Integrating Movement System Impairments and Manual Therapy in Assessment and Treatment of Shoulder Dysfunctions
Presenter- 2014 Orthopaedic Section Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO
Break out session: “Integrating Movement System Impairments and Manual Therapy in Assessment and Treatment of the Cervical Spine”
Presenter- 2014 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas
Platform presentation- "Placebo and pre-cebo effects may co-exist, independent of one another, in manual therapy."
Educational session- "Clinical Pattern Recognition of Head, Neck, and Shoulder Red Flags: Perspectives from Physical Therapists in Major League Baseball, the United States Military, and Collegiate Athletics"
Poster presentation- 2013 California Chapter APTA Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA
“Inter-rater Reliability Between Expert and Novice Clinicians For Three Lumbar Stabilization Tests; Lumbar Stabilization Clinical Prediction Rule (CPR), Sahrmann Movement System Impairment (MSI Exam) and Newer Method, the Baker Break Test”
Item writer- Physical Rehabilitation 6th Edition, O’Sullivan S, Schmitz T, Fulk G, FA Davis 2013
Speaker- May 23, 2013 Doctoral Faculty Luncheon, Azusa Pacific University, Collaborative research with the community
Podium Presentation- 2012 International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapist, Quebec, Canada “Blood pressure and heart rate response to unilateral posterior glide of the cervical spine in normal volunteers- a pilot case series”
Podium Presentation- 2012 International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapist, Quebec, Canada “The combined effect of utilizing manual therapy and motor control training for 2 recreational throwers with chronic shoulder pain”
Poster Presentation- 2012 International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapist, Quebec, Canada “The effect of ankle and foot manual therapy for chronic achilles tendinosis in a duathlete who is non-compliant to clinical practice guideline based interventions”
Presenter- May 19, 2011: Clinical Practice and Scholarship Doctoral Faculty Luncheon, Azusa Pacific University
Poster Presentation- 2011 California Chapter APTA Annual Meeting “Plantar fascia thickness in runners and non-runners: An imaging ultrasound study”
Poster presentation- 2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist “Use of mirror box therapy for reducing fear avoidance in a patient with ankle open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)”
Poster presentation- 2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist “Does taping decrease plantar fascia thickness in subjects with plantar fasciitis?: A pilot study”
Key note speaker- Ohio Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference April 7, 2011 Neck/Shoulder Disorders: Get with the Guidelines
Key note speaker- Ohio Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference April 8, 2011 Low Back/Hip Disorders: Get with the Guidelines
Continuing education course Ohio Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference April 9, 2011 Neck/Shoulder & Low Back/Hip Disorders Manual Procedures
Podium Presentation- 2010 California Chapter APTA Annual Meeting “The effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory supplement Race day fuel® on power, endurance, maximum oxygen uptake, lactate threshold and cytokine level in elite male cyclists”
Poster presentation- 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist “Joint mobilization of a patient who did not tolerate eccentric calf muscle training initially for chronic achilles tendinosis”
Reviewer for the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal imaging feature 2009-current
Poster Presentation- 2008 California Chapter APTA Annual Meeting “Determining the most effective tool and method to test for gluteus medius weakness”
Instructor-2008-current Continuing Education Course: Manual Therapy Year Long Course/Fellowship “Evidence Based Manual Therapy for the Wrist and Hand” Southern California Kaiser Permanente Orthopaedic and Sports Fellowship
Continuing Education Course: From Evidence to Practice: Treatment Based Classification for Low Back Pain
Singapore Physiotherapy Association, Singapore Management University- 2010
Faculty Senate- 2006-2010
Chair of the Department Admissions Committee- 2006-2010
Member of the Graduate review committee- 2000-2010
Developed and Facilitate Preview Day for Azusa Pacific University Department of Physical Therapy- 2006
Southern California Steering Committee for the California Academic and Residency Educators
Consortium- 2005
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist- 2005-current
Board Certification Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist- 2004
Strengths Symposium Presenter- May 5, 2008 School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences- “Strengths and Scholarship”
Panel Presenter- 2002 California Chapter APTA Annual Meeting “What do you do after graduation?”
Poster Presentation- 2001 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting
Poster Presentation- PT 2001 Annual Conference & Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association
Instructor- Continuing Education Course: Treatment Classification of Low Back Pain The Lumbar Facet Impingement, 2001
Missionary Instructor- Advanced Techniques of Manual Therapy, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India, August, 2001
Research Podium Presenter- 2000 California Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association Annual Meeting
Awards received:
James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award, 2023, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARD, Lead Author, Wong MS, Yung E, Henley C, Davenport T, Vogsland R, Koo J, Godges J Clinical Practice Guidelines: Red Flags- Examination for Referral, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Grant Approved January 2018 ($10,000)
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARD Principal Investigator. Yung EY, Wong MS, Cameron D, Grimes JK. Posteriorly directed pressures versus laterally directed non-thrust joint manipulation in patients with neck pain- a randomized clinical trial. American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists OPTP Research Grant, approved for funded October 2014 ($2,000 external grant).
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARD Principal Investigator. Yung EY, Wong MS, Cameron D, Grimes JK. Placebo-controlled comparison of cardiovascular response to laterally directed and anteriorly directed non-thrust joint manipulation of the cervical spine. American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists OPTP Research Grant, funded October 18, 2013 ($2,000 external grant).
Faculty of the Year- School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences 2014, Azusa Pacific University
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences Award for Innovative Technology 2012: Low back pain App
Best Poster 3rd Place American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist Annual Conference 2011 “Use of mirror box therapy for reducing fear avoidance in a patient with ankle open reduction internal fixation”
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences Collaborative Research Grant: Effect of lutimax nutritional supplement on cycling time trial performance and interleukin levels 2008-2010
Distinguished Alumnus Award Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions April, 2009
Robert Nakaji Physical Therapist Clinical Fellowship Scholarship June, 2001
Kaiser Permanente Certificate of Appreciation: Development of Pocket PT Handbook November, 2001
Inland Counties District, California APTA Student Achievement Scholarship Award June, 2000
Loma Linda University Student Research Award June, 2000
Loma Linda University School of Physical Therapy Faculty Award June, 2000
California Research Special Interest Group Honors- Presenter of the Year 2000