Faculty/Staff Members
Craig Newsam - PT, DPT
Associate Professor, Physical Therapy
DPT, University of Southern California, Physical Therapy
MPT, University of Southern California, Physical Therapy
BA, Hofstra University, Psychology
Biography
Dr. Newsam is a physical therapist with more than 25 years of professional experience in clinical, research, educational, and commercial manufacturing settings with a focus on neurological rehabilitation. He began his physical therapy career at the Spinal Injury Service at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center working in all areas of clinical care. For many years, Dr. Newsam worked as a Research Physical Therapist at the Pathokinesiology Laboratory at Rancho under the guidance of Dr. Jacquelin Perry where he published extensively on topics related to upper limb function after spinal cord injury as well as gait and orthotic management in a variety of disabilities.
Dr. Newsam began teaching part-time at MSMC in 1992 working with both the baccalaureate and masters programs. He has extensive teaching experience in various physical therapy programs in courses related to electrical stimulation, modalities, gait, orthotic management, and neurological rehabilitation. Currently, Dr. Newsam serves as the Neuromuscular Curriculum Coordinator for the MSMU DPT Program.
In addition to his faculty responsibilities, Dr. Newsam serves as a Clinical Advisor and Board Member for the Bridging Bionics Foundation.
Courses taught in the program:
PT 467 Orthotics and Prosthetics
PT 472A-C Patient / Client Management – Neuromuscular
PT 466B Therapeutic Exercise - Neuromuscular
PT 490 Research I: Foundational Concepts of Research
PT 492 Research II: Evidence Based Practice
PT 495A Research V: Research Development
PT 495C Research VII: Capstone Project
Research interests:
Neurological rehabilitation, strength and aerobic training following neurological injury or disease, lower body robotics for mobility.
Publications:
FULL CITATION LIST AT:
Lee A, Newsam CJ. Aging Skin. In: Lewis CB Chui KK, Gray DL, Huber GM, eds. Physical Therapy for the Older Adult. Philadelphia PA: Wolters Kluwer: 2017
Bisson T, Newsam CJ. Short-duration, high intensity bouts of physical therapy to increase confidence and mobility in an individual with incomplete spinal cord injury: a case report. Physiother Theory Prac 2017; 33:888-895.
Newsam CJ. Exercise considerations for persons living with a spinal cord injury (SCI): lecture and experiential learning activities. In: A Compendium for Teaching Professional Level Physical Therapy Neurologic Content v2016 – Prevention and Wellness. Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. http://www.neuropt.org/education/compendium/comp-docu
Newsam CJ. Equipment recommendations and movement optimization for preservation of upper limb function following spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord Injury SIG Newsletter 2015 Spring/Summer: 9-11.
Mulroy SJ , Thompson L, Kemp B, Hatchett PP, Newsam CJ, Guitierrez D, Lighthall-Haubert L, Eberly V, Ge TT, Azen S, Winstein C, Gordon J, for the PTClinResNet. Strengthening and Optimal Movements for Painful Shoulders (STOMPS) in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Phys Ther 2011 Mar;91:305-24.
Mulroy SJ, Eberly V, Gronley JK, Weiss W, Newsam CJ. Effect of AFO design on walking after stroke: impact of ankle plantar flexion contracture. Prosth Orthot Int 2010;34:277-92.
Recent Professional Presentations:
Criterion validity of the plantar flexor single limb heel rise test (SLHRT): role of upper extremity support, examiner vantage point, and use of metronome. Poster presentation at California Physical Therapy Association annual conference. San Diego, CA, September 17, 2017.
Does “wellness” apply to people living with a disability? Workshop presented at Abilities Expo. Los Angeles, CA, March 24, 2017
Vibration tilt-table improves training performance in a wearable robotic exoskeleton: two case observations for individuals with severe lower extremity spasticity. Poster presentation at Combined Sections meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, San Antonio, TX February 18, 2017.
Isn’t there an app for that? Technology to measure function in the clinic. California Physical Therapy Association annual conference, Santa Clara CA October 2016
Promoting physical activity in persons with neurological disability: Using personal exercise experiences as a learning tool for entry-level DPT students. California Physical Therapy Association annual conference, Pasadena, CA September 2015
A high-intensity, periodic model of physical therapy care-delivery for an individual with incomplete spinal cord injury. NEXT conference, American Physical Therapy Association, Baltimore, MD June 2015