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This course is being taught by Vincent Leddy.
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 register for both LINKED Part 1 and LINKED Part 2! Bundle these two courses to save 10% off the price. Part 1 is scheduled for August 8 and 9, 2025 or January 16 and 17, 2026. Click here for more details.
In-person course for therapists. Complete both days for 13 contact hours (1.3 CEUs)
April 10 and 11, 2027
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center – West
Town and Country, MO 63017
EARLY BIRD RATE: Register by February 27, 2027 to receive a $20 discount on registration. Apply the coupon code EARLYBIRD20 at checkout. Cannot be combined with other offers.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Taught by Vincent Leddy, “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.
This course is being taught by Vincent Leddy.
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, PT, DPT, DSc, 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.
Financial Disclosure: Mary Massery receives an honorarium from Education Resources, Inc.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Mary Massery has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Dr. Leddy competed his BS in Physical Therapy in the Netherlands in 1988, his DPT at Rocky Mountain University in 2017, and his APTA certification as a Pediatric Clinical Specialist in 2018. In 2019, he completed a 2-year invited apprenticeship to become Mary Massery’s third certified faculty member!
Dr. Leddy’s interest in breathing and postural control extends beyond pediatrics and includes complex neurological patients, adult orthopedic patients, and elite level ballerinas. He is a life-long learner and teacher, focusing on creating long-term benefits for his clients, such as with his “Now What?” peer project pairing young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) with adult mentors with CP.
Vincent’s proudest “Mary Massery moment” was using Dr. Massery’s concepts to improve the breathing patterns of an infant with developmental delays caused by gastric reflux and multi-system consequences. He would not have recognized this link without the mentorship he received in his faculty training. He can’t wait to show other therapists how to apply these concepts to their patients.
Financial Disclosure: Vincent Leddy receives an honorarium from Education Resources, Inc.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Vincent Leddy 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
This course was filled with useful information. I learned practical and easy to implement strategies to immediately start using with my patients. Trish West-Low was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in ensuring the information provided was understood and that we had time to practice all of the strategies learned. -Megan B., OTR
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
I enjoyed the course, it gave a ton of hands-on exposure to allow me to feel confident using the handling techniques IMMEDIATELY upon return to the clinic. -Tabitha R., 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
13001 North Outer Forty
Town and Country, MO 63017
Directions
VENUE LOCATION MAP
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This course meets the criteria for 13 contact hours (1.3 CEUs) Intermediate Level.
If your state is not listed below and you have three or more therapists interested in attending, please contact us at info@educationresourcesinc.com or call 800-487-6530 to speak with a team member. We will review whether approval can be obtained for your state.
To receive a certificate of completion all registered attendees are required to attend and participate fully in all applicable course activities (i.e., labs, discussions, group work, polls, post-tests with passing grade of 80% or greater etc.) and complete the evaluation form.
