Leonard H. Van Gelder

Dr. Leonard Van Gelder is a clinician, coach, researcher, & educator. He is a co-founder of, and serves in leadership roles for, the Institute of Contextual Health.

He has been involved in the movement and rehabilitation field for over 20 years. During this time, he has studied, published research, and presented at regional and international conferences on the science of movement and pain. He has explored a diverse spectrum of manual therapy and movement approaches, and emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach to movement, manual therapy, and education in his practice.

Leonard is the creator and lead developer of the Human Rehabilitation Framework (HRF).

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2023). EMBRACING A NEW ERA OF REHABILITATION
May 10, 2023: Baker College: CI Appreciation Presentation – Muskegon, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2022). SELF CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER: OBSERVATIONS FROM A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CARING FOR PEOPLE WHO CARE
August 29, 2022: National Adult Protective Services Association – Grand Rapids, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2022). PAIN SCIENCE, MOVEMENT, AND MANUAL THERAPY – AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE
June 23, 2022: Baker College – Muskegon, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2022). CLINICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN REHABILITATION FRAMEWORK
April 2, 2022: APTA, Michigan Pain Summit, Kalamazoo, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2019). PAIN SCIENCE, MOVEMENT, AND MANUAL THERAPY – AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE
October 18, 2019: Baker College – Muskegon, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2019). PAIN SCIENCE, MOVEMENT, AND MANUAL THERAPY – AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE
April 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 AT
January 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 ASSISTANT
March 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 COURSE
December 30 & March 2, 2018: Generation Care, Pain Division – Grand Haven, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2017). PAIN SCIENCE AND THE MOVEMENT PROFESSION
December 12, 2017: PowerStrength Training Systems – Grand Rapids, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2017). PAIN SCIENCE, MOVEMENT, AND MANUAL THERAPY – AN INTRODUCTION
December 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 THERAPY
November 10, 2017: University of Michigan Physical Therapy Program – Flint, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2017). PAIN SCIENCE, MOVEMENT, AND MANUAL THERAPY – AN INTRODUCTION
October 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 PRESENTATION
June 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 DEVELOPMENT
January 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 PAIN
October 27, 2016: Michigan Physical Therapy Association – Western District Meeting – Zeeland, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2016). GRADED MOTOR IMAGERY: MOVING WITHOUT MOVING
October 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 COURSE
October 4, 2016: Grand Valley Physical Therapy Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program – Grand Rapids, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2016). THERAPEUTIC NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION AND INTERVENTIONS
June 3, 2016: Spectrum Health Spine and Pain Management Center – Grand Rapids, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2016). ACL PREVENTION SEMINAR FOR THE FEMALE ATHLETE
May 18, 2016: PowerStrength Training Systems – Grand Rapids, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2016). PRE-SURGICAL THERAPEUTIC NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION
February 26, 2016: Spectrum Health Spine and Pain Management Center – Grand Rapids, MI

VAN GELDER, L.H. (2015). INJURY PREVENTION AND WELLNESS FOR GYMNASTS
September 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:
January 19, 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 SETTING
February 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 COACHING
November 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, WA
May 28th, 2009: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (International)

LOUW, ADRIAAN, STEVE GOLDRICK, ANDREW BERNSTETTER, LEONARD H VAN GELDER, AARON PARR, KORY ZIMNEY, TERRY COX. “EVALUATION IS TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN.”
Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy doi: 10.1080/10669817.2020.1730056. (2020): Online ahead of print

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.

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)

CONSULTING PAIN SCIENCE APPLICATION CONSULTANT FOR APRIL GAMBLE, PT, DPT:
Working with survivors of torture and trauma in Kurdistan, Iraq

MICHIGAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION
Content and Speaker Coordinator and Event Speaker for Multi-Disciplinary Pain Conference

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY – GRAND RAPIDS, MI 2013
Doctorate 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

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