Two sessions not to miss at ERIs Annual Therapies in the School Conference:
Key Note Address:
Breathing, Talking and Postural Control: Why is this relationship so important for school-based therapists to understand?
Breathing mechanics and postural control are linked! Using Dr. Mary Massery’s novel research and the “SodaPop Can” postural control model, the instructor will push this connection further, demonstrating the link between glottal control, breathing and upright postural stability. The focus will be on applying these concepts from walking to talking in the school-based therapy environment for PT, OT, and ST.
and
Get Moving! Add Breathing Strategies to Movement for Improved Functional Outcomes
This mini-lab session will focus on applying the “soda-pop can” concepts to motor tasks from rolling, to
sitting, to reaching, to walking, to talking in the school-based therapy environment for PT, OT, and ST.
Participants will need to bring a bath towel for demonstrations.
Presented by Trish West Low PT, MA, DPT and developed by Mary Massery PT, DPT, DSc
Patricia West-Low PT, DPT, MA
Dr. West-Low holds a Bachelor’s degree in PT from The University of Scranton, an Advanced Master’s Degree from New York University, a Doctoral Degree from Seton Hall University, and is a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist.
She has developed and taught courses locally and nationally, on the topics of Physical Therapy Examination and Treatment of Individuals with Autism, Connective Tissue Mobilization for Pediatric Therapists and Yoga for Special Populations.
Dr. West-Low has served as a teaching assistant in all of Dr Mary Massery’s courses and completed a 2-year, invited teaching apprenticeship becoming a Massery certified faculty member in 2018. Currently Dr. West-Low is a clinician at Children’s Specialized in New Jersey, a consultant to schools/private practices and a private therapeutic yoga instructor. She is also currently a PhD Student in the Movement Sciences Program at Seton Hall University.
Trish and her dog Lucy serve as a volunteer therapy dog team.
Dr. Massery’s publications and interests focus on linking motor behaviors to breathing and/or postural mechanics in both pediatric and adult patient populations.
Clinically, Mary is known for her multi-system approach to analyzing motor dysfunction; recognizing the interactions between the cardiovascular-pulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary and internal organ systems, and determining which system is the primary deterrent to optimal motor function and which system is likely a consequence of those interactions.
Mary’s research pioneered the concept of managing trunk pressures as a new way to visualize core stabilization. She has delivered keynote and major addresses on topics such as cystic fibrosis and posture, pectus excavatum (chest deformities), connections between posture & breathing, and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation).
Mary has received national awards from the APTA, including its highest clinical award, The Florence Kendall Practice Award, honoring “one’s outstanding and enduring contributions to the practice of physical therapy.”
Mary continues to maintain a private practice in Chicago, specializing in breathing and postural dysfunction.
Find out more information here:
Therapies in the School Conference 2021
November 18-19, 2021
Create your own track with 5 afternoon sessions to choose from on each day. Something for everyone.
Download the Brochure Here: Therapies 2021 Brochure