Joseph Lorenzetti

Dr. Lorenzetti earned a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from D’Youville College in 2004, followed by a Manual Therapy Certification (MTC) in 2009 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2010 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Science degree at Bellin College.

Completed an Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship in 2016 and holds Board Certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). In 2021, completed the McKenzie Institute International Diploma Program. Dr. Lorenzetti continues to practice clinically at Catholic Health in West Seneca, NY.

Education

• M.S. in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT), Daemen College (2016)
• Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT), University of St. Augustine (2010)
• B.S./M.S. in Physical Therapy, D’Youville College (2004 – Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program)

Professional Certifications

• Diplomate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (Dip. MDT), McKenzie Institute International (November 2021)
• Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), American Physical Therapy Association (June 2018)
• Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), AAOMPT (May 2016)
• Certification in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (Cert. MDT), McKenzie Institute International (January 2016)
• Manual Therapy Certification (MTC), University of St. Augustine (February 2009)

• Kidd, J. A., Lorenzetti, J. M., Kirby, K. W., Young, J. L., Cleland, J. A., & Schenk, R. J. (2025). Identifying directional preference: A scoping review and thematic analysis of variability and application in musculoskeletal pain research. Physical Therapy, pzaf094.
• Schenk, R. J., Lorenzetti, J. M., et al. (2023). Validity of the Yellow Flag Risk Form in people treated for low back pain with Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy and the Pain Mechanism Classification System. International Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders, 6(123), Article 2690-0149.
• Tata, J., Spoto, S., & Lorenzetti, J. M. (2022). Pain education training in New York State physical therapy programs: What we do well, where the gaps are, and what can be improved. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 20(3).
• Roberts, E., Bartz, A., Goodier, S., Warhling, A., Lorenzetti, J. M., & Schenk, R. J. (2020). The influence of centralization and directional preference on spinal control in people with nonspecific neck pain: A single arm clinical trial. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice.
• Cooper, R., Evans, S., Lowe, G., Sapere, J., Lorenzetti, J. M., Wolfley, B., & Schenk, R. J. (2020). Psychomotor training for performance of the deep neck flexor test. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, 32(1), 11–14.
• Schenk, R. J., Lawrence, H., Lorenzetti, J. M., Marshall, W., Whelan, G., & Zeiss, R. (2016). The relationship between the QTFC and outcomes in patients with low back pain. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 24(1), 21–25.

Contributing to research has been a longstanding area of professional interest. I am particularly curious about how psychosocial factors, patient beliefs, and expectations influence clinical outcomes. These factors have been shown to affect recovery and overall patient well-being. There is an ongoing need to better understand how they can predict outcomes, how to accurately identify them, and how they may influence treatment strategies once identified.

Another area of interest involves the application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) principles to the extremities. Specifically, I aim to further explore the impact of directional preference on muscle inhibition and compare the efficacy of MDT with Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). While directional preference has shown value in guiding treatment, there remains a lack of robust data. I hope to contribute to this field to enhance evidence-based practice and improve patient care.