David Selkowitz has been in orthopedic out-patient PT clinical practice for 40 years (Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist for 30 years) and on academic faculty for 30 years. His expertise includes evaluation and management of musculoskeletal dysfunction, manual therapy, exercise, clinical reasoning, thrust joint manipulation, and electrotherapy. He has taught these topics in entry-level PT programs and continuing education courses.
Dr. Selkowitz mentors students in his research activities. He was a research fellow in the Jacquelin Perry Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Lab, University of Southern California, for 10 years before coming to MGHIHP. He has published chapters in textbooks and highly-cited articles in highly-ranked, peer-reviewed orthopedic/rehabilitation journals. The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy selected two of his articles for Read-for-Credit Quizzes and one for a Patient's Perspective piece. The California PT Association (CPTA) honored him with a Faculty Publication Award.
Dr. Selkowitz has delivered numerous presentations at state, national, and international conferences. Every abstract he submitted for presentation at the CPTA annual conference was ranked by peer-reviewers in the top three out of more than 50 submissions. Dr. Selkowitz received a CPTA Best Research Platform Presentation Award.
Dr. Selkowitz’s professional service includes currently serving his second term as Assembly Representative for the APTA’s Massachusetts chapter. He served three terms on the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology’s Council, and on the ElectroPhysical Forum’s International Panel of Experts since inception (2016). Since 2004, he has served on the Board of Directors for the California PT Fund, Inc., which funds research by physical therapists in California. He served two terms as Chairperson of California’s Research Special Interest Group (SIG), one term on CPTA’s Education Committee, and proposed, co-founded, and served three terms as Vice Chairperson of California’s Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy SIG. Dr. Selkowitz received the CPTA Clarence Hultgren Service Award.
- BA, Anthropology, State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNYAB), Buffalo, NY
- MS, Physical Therapy, Sargent College–Boston University, Boston, MA
- PhD, Kinesiology, The Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Selkowitz's research focuses on the effects of physical examination methods and physical rehabilitation strategies and deficits in biomechanical, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes, in persons with and without musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Interventions studied include therapeutic exercise, electrotherapy, and external supports for persons with patellofemoral, lumbar, and shoulder dysfunctions.
Dr. Selkowtiz has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. Selkowitz's publications on ResearchGate or in his CV.
Foundations of Electrical Stimulation.
In addition, Dr. Selkowtiz regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see his CV for a complete list of presentations.
Persons with patellofemoral pain exhibit higher levels of tensor fascia lata activity and lower levels of superior gluteus maximus activity during common therapeutic exercises at the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK) XXIII Virtual Congress.
Evidence-Based Practice of Electrotherapy: Foundations, Strengthening, & Pain Control at the CSM of the APTA.
Show Me the Value: Evidence-Base for Biophysical Agents in Post-Acute Practice at the CSM of the APTA.
Lower Extremity Exercise, Hip Muscle Activation, Pathomechanics, & Patellofemoral Pain: What’s the Connection? at the APTA MA Chapter Annual Conference.
Hip Muscle Activation in Persons with PFP During the Side-Step Exercise: Is Resistance Important? at the XXIInd Congress of the ISEK.
Comparison of Different Positions for Eliciting Maximum EMG Activity of the Gluteal Muscles in Persons with PFP: Implications for EMG Normalization at the 5th International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat (iPFRR).
