Biography & achievements

Michael Shacklock is a globally recognized authority in the field of neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy and the founder of the revolutionary Clinical Neurodynamics approach. He is the Director and Founder of Neurodynamic Solutions (NDS), established in 1995 to disseminate cutting-edge knowledge on the role of the nervous system in musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation.

Academic Qualifications & Training

• Diploma in Physiotherapy, Auckland Technical Institute (1980)

• Graduate Diploma in Advanced Manipulative Therapy, University of South Australia (1989)

• Master of Applied Science, University of South Australia (1993)

  • Dissertation: Discovery and Application of Neurodynamic Sequencing

• Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (2007)

  • Awarded by Original Contribution through Monograph

He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Eastern Finland, focusing on non-invasive reduction of lumbar nerve root force in patients with acute sciatica, integrating radiological, cadaveric, and clinical trial-based research methodologies.

Academic & Professional Positions

• Founding Director, Neurodynamic Solutions, Adelaide, Australia (2007–present)

• PhD Candidate, University of Eastern Finland

• Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgia State University, USA

• Visiting Professor, Barcelo University Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Former Adjunct Lecturer, University of South Australia

• Former Director & Principal, City Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic

• Former Founding Director, NeuroOrthopaedic Institute (NOI Group) Australasia

Major Lectures & International Recognition

• Gregory Grieve Memorial Lecture, Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, UK (2006)

• Dr. Alf Breig Memorial Lecture, Swedish Association of Physiotherapists (2007)

• Kenneth Balfour Memorial Lecture, PhysioFirst National Conference, UK (2018)

• Best Professional Development Presenter, Australian Physiotherapy Students’ Association (2013)

• Mentor, Multiple Young Investigator Awards from the International Association for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (2014, 2017)

• Visiting Professor, Barcelo University Institute, Buenos Aires (2015)

Clinical Involvement with Elite Sports Institutions

• Chicago Bulls, NBA, USA

• Chicago Cubs, MLB, USA

• FC Barcelona, Spain

• Liverpool FC & Manchester City FC, UK

• Australian National Soccer Team & Olympic Youth Team

• Australian Institute of Sport

• Aspetar Sports Medicine Clinic, Qatar

• Stanford University Sports Rehabilitation, USA

Research Interests

• Mechanisms and efficacy of neurodynamic interventions in lumbar radiculopathy

• Spinal cord dynamics during straight leg raise (SLR) and slump test

• Cadaveric simulation of nerve root tension reduction

• Multiplanar spinal cord movement in asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects

Select Peer-Reviewed Publications

Michael Shacklock has authored and co-authored dozens of peer-reviewed articles in highly respected journals, including:

• Spine

• European Spine Journal

• Journal of Orthopaedic Research

• Clinical Biomechanics

• Musculoskeletal Science and Practice

• Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

• Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy

• Journal of Physiotherapy

• Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

His collaborative work with Marinko Rade on spinal cord displacement has earned multiple international accolades and has been widely cited.

Books Authored

• Clinical Neurodynamics: A New System of Musculoskeletal Treatment (Elsevier, 2005)

  • Now available in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Polish, Korean, Portuguese

• Moving in on Pain (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1995)

• Biomechanics of the Nervous System: Breig Revisited (Neurodynamic Solutions, 2007)

Editorial & Review Roles

• Associate Editor, Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy

• Reviewer, Past & Present:

  • Musculoskeletal Science and Practice

  • Physical Therapy in Sport

  • Physiotherapy Research Foundation (Australia)

  • World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress

Landmark Research Highlights

• MRI-based studies on spinal cord displacement during SLR and slump tests

• Cadaveric and in-vivo models demonstrating nerve root tension dynamics

• Pilot clinical trials on intervertebral foramen opening protocols for acute sciatica

• Groundbreaking contributions to understanding central pain mechanisms in manual therapy

Legacy

Michael Shacklock’s work has profoundly influenced how physiotherapists, sports therapists, and manual therapy clinicians worldwide integrate neural systems into musculoskeletal assessment and treatment. His teaching and clinical models are practiced across five continents, and his vision continues to shape the evolution of evidence-based manual therapy.