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REQUIRED PREREQUISITE:
Part 1 – Attendance of any of these courses (in past 24 months) qualifies (taken with ERI or Massery PT):
- “Linked: Breathing and Postural Control – Part 1” in-person or webinar
- “Breathing, Talking and Postural Control … school-based therapy”
SAVE when you bundle and register for both LINKED Part 1 and LINKED Part 2!
Live in-person course for therapists. Complete both days for 13 contact hours (1.3 CEUs)
Schwab Rehabilitation (Sinai Chicago)
Chicago, IL
March 28, 2026 – 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
March 29, 2026 – 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
EARLY BIRD RATE!
Register by February 14, 2026 to receive $20 off your registration. Enter coupon code EARLYBIRD20 at checkout to receive the discount. Must be used at time of registration.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
“LINKED Part-2” builds upon the foundational information presented in “LINKED Part-1”. This course, developed by Mary Massery, proposes a new definition of “core stability;” redefining it as the dynamic control of trunk pressures to optimize postural stability (balance). Dr. Massery’s novel “soda pop can model” links breathing mechanics to postural control using multi-system interactions. In Part-2, the focus shifts to assessing “normal” breathing patterns, and learning neuromotor breathing retraining techniques and manual assistive cough techniques during hands-on labs. Multiple clinical cases will be used to cement the concepts, as will a live patient demonstration (if available). The course is applicable for any pediatric or adult patient (or therapist) who breathes!
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION:
1) Required attire: Comfortable pants or shorts like yoga pants or exercise shorts. Tops: we will be assessing ribs and breathing patterns so ladies will need a tank top, sport bra, or a tee shirt tucked up under the bra strap. Men will need to remove their shirts. Participants not wearing lab clothes are invited to come and observe in the labs.
2) Long hair: Hair clips or ponytail bands are needed for long hair in labs.
3) Anatomy books: Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite anatomy book to help visualize the presentations.
4) Suggested pre-readings for the course:
a. A variety of pre-readings are available. See Mary’s publications on her website: www.MasseryPT.com/publications
5) Linens: Participants need one of each: bath towel, pillow, and possibly beach towel or yoga mat if massage tables or floor mats are not provided by host.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Use a multi-system approach to evaluating motor impairments
- Identify the variations of “normal” breathing patterns and discuss the efficiencies/inefficiencies for individual patient conditions
- Evaluate the need for, and demonstrate, appropriate neuromotor retraining techniques for patients with ineffective breathing/postural control strategies (health or participation deficits)
- Participate in a live patient demonstration (if a patient is available) and suggest possible evaluation and treatment ideas based on the course material
- Design a targeted airway clearance program using the principles of mobilization, expectoration, and oral management
- Demonstrate airway clearance techniques, with an emphasis on manual assistive cough techniques, and apply an airway clearance algorithm to specific patient conditions
- Identify thoracic cage/spine restrictions as they pertain to breathing mechanics and postural control (a very brief introduction of chest wall restrictions)
- Evaluate the need for, and demonstrate, neuromotor retraining techniques to improve breath support for voicing and postural control (eccentrics)
- Suggest immediate ways to incorporate the concepts into therapy activities in your clinical setting
AUDIENCE:
This is a pediatric and adult course designed for PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs.
COVID INFORMATION:
COVID safety measures for in-person courses. Any guidelines issued by the hosting facility will be shared with you and must be reviewed. Please do not attend the course if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Please do not attend the course if you believe you have been exposed to someone with a suspected and/or confirmed case of the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
Dr. Massery received her BS in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in 1977, her DPT from the University of the Pacific in 2004 and her DSc from Rocky Mountain University in 2011. Her publications and interests focus on linking motor behaviors to breathing and/or postural mechanics in both pediatric and adult patient populations. Dr. Massery has been invited to give over 1,000 professional presentations in all 50 US states and in 18 countries worldwide, including more than 100 presentations for the American Physical Therapy Association. 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." She has been honored as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by each of her 3 universities. She was also awarded Northwestern University’s Alumnae Research Achievement Award. Mary continues to maintain a private practice in Chicago, specializing in breathing and postural dysfunction.
DISCLOSURES:
Mary Massery receives an honorarium from Education Resources.
She has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
The content of this course is exceptional. This information is so important and I am very much looking forward to implementing it with my pediatric patients. -Kathryn R., PT
There isn't a patient population that wouldn't benefit from the application of the knowledge and skills learned in this course. -Deidre D., PT
This course gave me strategies and techniques that I can immediately implement in my daily practice. We had ample lab time and close feedback from instructors and TAs to support our learning throughout the course. -Jessica S., OTR
This two part course was extremely helpful and beneficial to my learning style and growth as a clinician. I look forward to taking more advanced Mary Massery courses in the future. -Samantha S., OTR
VENUE ADDRESS
1401 S. California Ave, 4th Floor Conference Room
Chicago, IL 60608
Directions
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