Ryan McConnell
Vice Chair & Assistant Professor
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
DSc Bellin University; DPT University of Tennessee Health Science Center; BS University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Location: McWhorter Hall 345
615-460-6718ryan.mcconnell@belmont.edu
Biography
Dr. McConnell received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He received his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He completed a Postdoctoral Orthopaedic Residency and Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy with Upstream Rehabilitation Institute. He is also Board Certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy through Bellin College.
Dr. McConnell has served in various leadership capacities with the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association and within outpatient orthopedic settings. Dr. McConnell was recently awarded the Emerging Leader Award through the American Physical Therapy Association. He continues his clinical practice in outpatient orthopedics with BenchMark Physical Therapy and is actively participating in Upstream Rehabilitation Institute’s postdoctoral residency and fellowship programs. His scholarship interests are in the areas of: orthopaedic manual physical therapy, therapeutic neuroscience/pain science education, biopsychosocial implications of clinical practice, and dry needling.
Psychologically Informed Health Care
Dry Needling
Study Methodology
American Physical Therapy Association
American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Outstanding PT Educator - American Physical Therapy Association, Tennessee
STAR Recipient - Benchmark Physical Therapy
Emerging Leader Award - American Physical Therapy Association
New Horizons Award - American Physical Therapy Association, Tennessee
Unanimous Faculty Award - University of Tennessee Health Science Center
McConnell RC, Williams CL, Falyar CR. Navigating the layers of concern for safe dry needling of the rectus abdominis: a cadaveric study. J Man Manip Ther. Published online May 20, 2024:1-7.
McConnell, R., Lane, E., Webb, G., LaPeze, D., Grillo, H., & Fritz, J. (2024). A multicenter feasibility randomized controlled trial using a virtual reality application of pain neuroscience education for adults with chronic low back pain. Annals of Medicine, 56(1), 2311846. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2024.2311846.
Williams, C. L., Falyar, C. R., McConnell, R. C., & Lindsley, S. (2023). Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.89663
Spoonemore SL Jr, McConnell RC, Owen WE, Young JL, Clewley DJ, Rhon DI. The influence of pain-related comorbidities on pain intensity and pain-related psychological distress in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain. Braz J Phys Ther. 2023;27(4):100532.
McConnell, R., Klopper, M., Rhon, D. I., & Young, J. L. (2022). The influence of exercise therapy dosing on pain and functional outcomes in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: A systematic review. Shoulder & Elbow, 0(0), doi:10.1177/17585732221124303.
Michaels, N., Noven, M., McConnell, R., Sherrow, K., & Tweddle, M. (2019). The Accuracy of Activity Monitors on Land and in the Water: A Pilot Study. The Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy, 27(1), 19-36.
Lowe S, Williams B, McConnell R, Subialka J. An overview of systematic reviews investigating the accuracy, reliability, and relationships of tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain. Poster presented at: American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.
McConnell, R., & Oliver, M. (2023, October). Psychologically informed therapy: Tips, tricks, and technology to improve patient outcomes. Oral presentation at APTA Tennessee and Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference, Chattanooga, TN.
Spinks, S., & McConnell, R. (2023, October). Cervical radiculopathy demystified: Clinical decision-making and hands-on skills for PT/OT students. Oral presentation at APTA Tennessee and Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference, Chattanooga, TN.
McConnell, R., & Mancini, A. (2023, March). A Needle in a Haystack. Oral presentation at APTA Tennessee's Spring Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Curfman S, McConnell R, and Austin GP. Healthcare educators' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about pain. Poster presented at: Educational Leadership Conference; October 21, 2021; Atlanta, GA.
McConnell, R., & Klopper, M. (2021, October). Dosing and impact of exercise therapy on pain and functional outcomes in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: a systematic review. Oral presentation at American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH.
McConnell, R., PT, DPT, & Spinks, S., PT, DPT. (2018, September). Reporting Quality on the Methodology of Dry Needling in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review. Poster presentation at Tennessee Physical Therapy Association Fall Meeting (Accepted).