Founders Profile & History – Brian Mulligan

Brian Mulligan

Brian Mulligan, the founder of the Mulligan Concept®, trained at the New Zealand School of Physiotherapy and qualified in 1954. He entered private practice in Wellington in 1956, where he treated patients for over four decades before retiring from clinical practice in 2000.

Brian Mulligan developed a deep interest in manual therapy in the early 1960s after being introduced to the field by Stanley Paris. He credits Freddy Kaltenborn as a key mentor and acknowledges the influential contributions of James Cyriax, Geoff Maitland, Robin McKenzie, and Robert Elvey in shaping his clinical thinking. These pioneers helped lay the foundation for what would become the Mobilization With Movement® (MWM) — a unique, movement-based approach to manual therapy.

In 1968, Brian Mulligan was part of a small group of physiotherapists who founded the New Zealand Manipulative Therapists Association. Alongside his colleague Robin McKenzie, he served as a principal instructor in the newly established postgraduate program for the Diploma in Manipulative Therapy. Brian began teaching internationally in 1972 and has since presented his approach in 91 cities across the United States and in over 20 countries worldwide — helping to shape the global practice of manual therapy.

In 1983, Brian Mulligan stepped away from his teaching role in the postgraduate Diploma program to focus on developing and teaching his own emerging techniques — now known as the Mulligan Concept®. One of his early students, Barbara Hetherington, succeeded him in the Diploma program and later became one of the founding members of the Mulligan Concept® Teachers Association (MCTA) when it was established in 1996.

Brian’s favorite quote has always been Louis Pasteur’s;

In the field of discovery chance only favours the prepared mind

In 1983, through a combination of clinical curiosity and a prepared mind, Brian Mulligan discovered and developed a new category within manual therapy: Mobilizations with Movement (MWMs). This innovative approach marked a significant evolution in the field by integrating therapist-applied mobilizations with patient-generated movement. Two years later, in 1985, he identified and developed a complementary set of techniques known as the Pain Release Phenomenon (PRPs) — further expanding the clinical tools available to manual therapists worldwide.

Brian Mulligan published his first textbook on the Mulligan Concept® in 1989. Now in its 6th edition (January 11, 2010), the book has been translated into multiple languages and remains a foundational resource for clinicians worldwide. In 2003, he authored Self Treatments for the Back, Neck and Limbs — a guide designed for the general public, now in its 3rd edition, offering accessible strategies for managing common musculoskeletal issues.

Brian Mulligan has received numerous honors recognizing his contributions to physiotherapy and manual therapy worldwide. His accolades include:

Honorary Fellowship, New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists (1996)
Honorary Life Membership, New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists (1996)
Honorary Life Membership, New Zealand Manipulative Therapists Association (1993)
Honorary Membership, New Zealand College of Physiotherapy (1998)
Ball Dynamics Award for Excellence in a Published Case Study (1997)
Award of Excellence, World Confederation for Physical Therapy (2007)

He also holds an Honorary Teaching Fellowship at the University of Otago in New Zealand — a testament to his enduring influence on clinical education and practice.

To meet the growing global demand for training in his techniques—and to ensure consistency and high teaching standards—Brian Mulligan established the Mulligan Concept® Teachers Association (MCTA) in 1995. This international organization accredits instructors who meet rigorous clinical and educational criteria. Today, the MCTA includes over 50 accredited teachers across 30 countries, delivering standardized Mulligan Concept® education to clinicians worldwide.

After retiring from active clinical practice, Brian Mulligan continued to teach internationally, leading seminars around the world and consistently drawing large audiences of physiotherapists and medical professionals. His ongoing commitment to education has helped shape the practice of manual therapy across generations and continents.

Outside of his professional achievements, Brian Mulligan has been married to his wife, Dawn, for over 50 years. Together, they have raised a family that includes one son, two daughters, a grandson, and five granddaughters. A proud New Zealander, Brian enjoys the outdoors, playing golf, and spending time at the piano. He once held a private pilot’s license—an early passion he set aside to focus on his growing professional commitments. Now retired, he remains in good health and continues to bring his trademark energy to everything he does.