Ryan McConnell
Vice Chair & Associate 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. Ryan McConnell serves as Vice Chair and Associate Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Belmont University. He teaches in the areas of gross anatomy, research, and foundations of physical therapy, helping students build a strong foundation in scientific reasoning and hands-on clinical skills.
Dr. McConnell earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He completed both a Postdoctoral Orthopaedic Residency and a Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy through Upstream Rehabilitation Institute and holds a Doctor of Science (DSc) in Physical Therapy from Bellin College. He is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Dr. McConnell currently serves as Membership Chair for the Tennessee Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association and remains active in professional leadership and advocacy. He also mentors orthopaedic residents in physical therapy through Upstream Rehabilitation Institute.
His scholarly interests include orthopaedic physical therapy interventions, pain sciences, dry needling safety, and the biopsychosocial dimensions of clinical practice and learning.
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.
Subialka, J. A., McConnell, R. C., Vosburgh, E., Pyle, D., Klopper, M., Maddox, C. D., Miller, T., & Mancini, A. (2025). Using the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) checklist at the exercise level to assess the completeness of exercise reporting: A methodological review. JOSPT Methods. https://doi.org/10.2519/josptmethods.2025.0004
Thomas, A. C., Sabadis, S., Childs, R. F., Young, J. L., & McConnell, R. C. (2025). Completeness of dry needling intervention reporting in musculoskeletal conditions using the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture and Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklists: A systematic review. JOSPT Methods, 1(2), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.2519/josptmethods.2025.0138
Williams, B. C., Lowe, S. W., McConnell, R. C., & Subialka, J. A. (2024). An overview of systematic reviews investigating clinical features for diagnosing neck pain and its associated disorders. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2024.2436403
McConnell, R. C., Williams, C. L., & Falyar, C. R. (2024). Navigating the layers of concern for safe dry needling of the rectus abdominis: A cadaveric study. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 32(5), 524–530. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2024.2355007
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).
Egan, H., Martin, T., Mancini, A., Young, S., & McConnell, R. C. (2026, February 14). Effects of high-intensity lasers with active treatment on managing soft-tissue injuries: A systematic review [Poster presentation]. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, United States.
Curfman, S., McConnell, R. C., & Best, W. (2026, February 14). Visual-spatial abilities and psychological measure changes following an anatomy course with physical therapy students [Poster presentation]. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, United States.
Miller, T., Williams, C., & McConnell, R. C. (2026, February 13). Impact of cervical positioning on dry needling safety: Cadaveric evidence of reduced spinal canal perforation [Poster presentation]. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, United States.
Maddox, D., McConnell, R. C., Nicholson, E., Cantu, B., & Cheddar, B. (2025, November 7). Does soft tissue mobilization provide additional benefit to joint mobilization/manipulation and exercise for patients with spinal pain and related disability? [Oral presentation]. American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Annual Conference, Reno, NV, United States.
Thomas, A. C., Sabadis, S., Childs, R. F., Young, J. L., & McConnell, R. C. (2025, November 7). Completeness of dry needling intervention reporting in musculoskeletal conditions using the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture and Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklists: A systematic review [Oral presentation]. American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Annual Conference, Reno, NV, United States.
McConnell, R. C., & Curfman, S. (2025, March 28). Trauma-informed physical therapy [Educational session]. APTA Tennessee Spring Meeting, Nashville, TN, United States.
McConnell, R. C., & Williams, C. L. (2025, March 29). Safe dry needling of rectus abdominis: A cadaveric study [Poster presentation]. APTA Tennessee Spring Meeting, Nashville, TN, United States.
Balliew, H., Frields, C., Mauro, M. C., Roberts, C., McConnell, R. C., & Curfman, S. (2025, March 29). Visual-spatial abilities and academic success in neuromusculoskeletal anatomy [Poster presentation]. APTA Tennessee Spring Meeting, Nashville, TN, United States.
Jones, G. C., Penfield, R. W., Tapscott, W. E., Best, W. J., McConnell, R. C., & Curfman, S. E. (2025, March 29). Effect of a virtual reality mental health intervention on psychological variables in DPT students [Poster presentation]. APTA Tennessee Spring Meeting, Nashville, TN, United States.
Williams, C. L., Falyar, C. R., McConnell, R. C., & Lindsley, S. (2024, April). Safety considerations when dry needling the multifidi in the thoracolumbar region: A cadaveric study [Poster presentation]. APTA Tennessee Spring Meeting, Nashville, TN, United States.
Spinks, S., & McConnell, R. C. (2024, April). Cervical radiculopathy demystified: Clinical decision-making and hands-on skills for PT/OT students [Oral presentation]. APTA Tennessee and TNOTA Fall Conference, Nashville, TN, United States.
Curfman, S. E., McConnell, R. C., Lindsley, S., & Thomas, R. (2024, February). Trauma symptoms, PTSD, and anxiety among PT and OT students [Poster presentation]. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA, United States.