Leonard Van Gelder is a physical therapist, athletic trainer, therapeutic pain specialist, spinal manual therapist, and strength and conditioning specialist. He has been involved in the movement and rehabilitation field for over 15 years. During this time, he has studied, published research, and presented at regional and international conferences on the science of stretching, strength and conditioning, and therapeutic pain science interventions. He has explored a diverse spectrum of manual therapy and movement approaches, and emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach to manual therapy, movement, and education in his practice. He owns and practices clinically at Dynamic Movement and Recovery (DMR)™ in Grand Rapids, MI.
Speaking History
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2019). Pain Science, Movement, and Manual Therapy – An Introductory CourseOctober 18, 2019: Baker College – Muskegon, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2019). Pain Science, Movement, and Manual Therapy – An Introductory CourseApril 27, 2019: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Northern District Meeting – Delta College Midland, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H., & Blum, S. (2019). Pain Science and Sports Medicine presented at:March 23, 2019:Michigan Physical Therapy Association – MPTA Pain Summit – Ypsilanti, MI
- Gamble, A., Van Gelder, L.H., Hartman, J. (2019). Pain Science With Vulnerable Populations: Transforming the Human Experience presented atJanuary 25, 2019: Combined Sections Meeting – American Physical Therapy Association – Washington DC
- VAN GELDER, L.H. (2018). INTRODUCTION TO PAIN SCIENCE FOR THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTMarch 13, 2018: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Western District Meeting – GVSU – Grand Rapids, MI
- VAN GELDER, L.H. (2018). PAIN SCIENCE, MOVEMENT, AND MANUAL THERAPY – CLOSED COURSEDecember 30 & March 2, 2018: Generation Care, Pain Division – Grand Haven, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2017). Pain Science and the Movement ProfessionDecember 12, 2017: PowerStrength Training Systems – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2017). Pain Science, Movement, and Manual Therapy – An IntroductionDecember 8, 2017: Spectrum Health Spine and Pain Management Center – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2017). Pain Science, Movement, and Manual Therapy – Guest Lecture for PTP 789 – Advanced Topics in Physical TherapyNovember 10, 2017: University of Michigan Physical Therapy Program – Flint, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2017). Pain Science, Movement, and Manual Therapy – An IntroductionOctober 14, 2017: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Fall Conference – Frankenmuth, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2017). Non-Opioid Options for Pain Treatment: A 2 part community presentationJune 12 & 19, 2017: North Ottawa County Hospital – Grand Haven, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2017). Pain Science, Movement, and Manual Therapy – Core Curriculum for Pain Division DevelopmentJanuary 10 & 25, 2017: Generation Care, Pain Division Development – Grand Haven, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2016). Therapeutic Neuroscience Education – Simple ways of teaching patients about painOctober 27, 2016: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Western District Meeting – Zeeland, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2016). Graded Motor Imagery: Moving without MovingOctober 15, 2016: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Fall Conference – Holland, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2016). Pain Science Guest Lecture as Part of Clinical Science 1 CourseOctober 4, 2016: Grand Valley Physical Therapy Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2016). Therapeutic Neuroscience Education and InterventionsJune 3, 2016: Spectrum Health Spine and Pain Management Center – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2016). ACL Prevention Seminar for the Female AthleteMay 18, 2016: PowerStrength Training Systems – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2016). Pre-Surgical Therapeutic Neuroscience EducationFebruary 26, 2016: Spectrum Health Spine and Pain Management Center – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2015). Injury Prevention and Wellness for GymnastsSeptember 26, 2015: Michigan USA Gymnastics Annual Clinic – Kalamazoo, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2015-2016). Effective Pain Education in Physical Therapy Practice Presented at:October 17, 2015: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Fall Conference – Crystal Mountain, MI
May 2nd, 2015: Generation Care,Company Education – Grand Haven, MI
March 28th, 2015: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Spring Conference – Bay City, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2012-2016). Introduction to IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) with the EDGE - Presented at:January19, 2016: GVSU: PT 522 – Musculoskeletal Interventions – Grand Rapids, MI
January 26, 2014: GVSU: PT 522 – Musculoskeletal Interventions – Grand Rapids, MI
April 4th, 2013: GVSU: PT 522 – Musculoskeletal Interventions – Grand Rapids, MI
March 20th, 2013: Apogee Therapy Center – Grandville, MI
February 21, 2013: Grand Valley Physical Therapy Students Class of 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI
February 4th, 2013: Kentwood Physical Therapy – Grand Rapids, MI
January 28th, 2013: Grand Valley Physical Therapy Students Class of 2013 – Grand Rapids, MI
December 6, 2012: Holland Hospital – Holland, MI
October 3, 2012: Shoreline Sport & Spine Physical Therapy – Spring Lake, MI
July 18, 2012: C Weaver Physical Therapy – Lansing, MI
February 21, 2013: Grand Valley Physical Therapy Students Class of 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI
February 4th, 2013: Kentwood Physical Therapy – Grand Rapids, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2010, 2012). Kettlebells for the Rehabilitation SettingFebruary 15, 2012: C Weaver Physical Therapy
June 10, 2010: Health Motion Physical Therapy
- Van Gelder, L.H. (2010, November). Guest Lecture - Periodized Strength and Conditioning for the Coach. GVSU: PED 355: Current Topics in CoachingNovember 22,2010: Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
- Van Gelder, L.H., & Bartz, S. (2009, May). The Effects of Acute Stretching on Agility Performance. PowerPoint lecture presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Seattle, WAMay 28th, 2009: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (International)
Peer Reviewed Published Research
- Van Gelder, Leonard H., et al. "EMG Analysis and Sagittal Plane Kinematics of the Two‐Handed and Single‐Handed Kettlebell Swing: A Descriptive Study."International journal of sports physical therapy 10.6 (2015): 811.
- VanGelder, Leonard H., Barbara J. Hoogenboom, and Daniel W. Vaughn. "A phased rehabilitation protocol for athletes with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation."International journal of sports physical therapy 8.4 (2013): 482.
- Van Gelder, L.H and Bartz, S. (2011). The effect of acute stretching on agility performance.Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 25(11): 3014–3021.
- Van Gelder, L.H., & Bartz, S. (2009). The Effects of Stretching on Agility Performance.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 41, S64. (Abstract)
Other Writing
- Van Gelder, L.H. Writer on Dynamic Principles Blog on topics of pain science, movement, and manual therapy.Available at https://www.dynamicprinciples.com/blog/
Consulting
- Consulting Pain Science Application Consultant for April Gamble, PT, DPT:Working with survivors of torture and trauma in Kurdistan, Iraq
- Michigan Physical Therapy AssociationContent and Speaker Coordinator and Event Speaker for Multi-Disciplinary Pain Conference
Education
- Grand Valley State University - Grand Rapids, MI 2013Doctorate in Physical Therapy
- Graduate Student Spotlight (2011)
- Graduate Assistant
- Competitive position which was awarded for all available semesters (4).
- Responsibility was primarily focused in the Renucci Biomechanics and Motor Performance Laboratory.
- Grand Valley State University - Allendale, MI 2010(Double Major Undergraduate)
B.S. Athletic Training
B.S. Clinical Exercise Science- Phi Kappa Phi
- Major of the Year for the Athletic Training Major (2010)
- Upperclass Honor Scholarship (2009)
- Outstanding Student Award in Exercise Science (2008)
- Student Summer Scholar Award Winner (2008)
- Graduated Cum Laude
Certifications
- Certified Spinal Manual Therapist (CSMT)International Spine and Pain Institute
- Certified Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS)(Member of Inaugural Cohort)
International Spine and Pain Institute
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)National Strength and Conditioning Association