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Mary Massery’s Pediatric and Adult Course >> LINKED: Breathing & Postural Control, Part 1

Intended Audience:

SLP

Course Level:

Intermediate

Course Type: In-person

September 11, 2026

Check-In Time: 9/11/2026 7:30:00 AM

Course Time(s): Friday 8:00AM-5:30PM (CST)

Course Location:

Wilf Auditorium

2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Held in Wilf Auditorium in Children's Masonic Hospital

Contact Hours: 8.0

Course Completion:
Course intended to be completed in full.

Discipline Specific CEU Approvals:

OT: You will receive a certificate of completion with total CE contact hours. This course is not submitted for AOTA approval, but you may submit the certificate and course details to your licensing board. Please review your organization’s CE requirements for eligibility (OR could replace the last sentence with: For CE requirements and qualifying OT activities, see MN Statute 148.
PT: This course will be submitted to the MN Board of PT for credit approval; however, approval or the full number of credits is not guaranteed. Participants will receive a certificate of completion, which may be used toward professional licensure.
SLP Satisfactory Completion & ASHA CE Registry Submission: To receive a certificate of completion, participants must attend the entire course and complete the evaluation—including the intent to change statement—within 30 days. If not attended in full, the certificate will reflect adjusted hours. Participants who do not meet these requirements are not eligible for ASHA CE Registry submission.

Instructor: Nechama Karman received her MSPT

Instructor Bio:
Nechama Karman received her MSPT from Columbia University in 1994, her Advanced MS in orthopedic PT from Touro College in 1998, and has completed her Health Sciences PhD coursework at Seton Hall University. Nechama is an APTA board-certified pediatric clinical specialist and the chief clinical educator at Mobility Research for LiteGait nationally and internationally. In addition, Nechama owns a private practice in NYC focusing on complex neurological conditions and complex pelvic conditions. Nechama has completed two invited Massery faculty apprenticeships. In 2016, she became Mary’s first certified faculty member for the “Breathing” course! And in 2019, she was the first certified faculty for Mary’s “I Survived” musculoskeletal course. Two huge accomplishments! In addition, she co-authored a new one-day course with Mary: “BRAKING BAD: ECCENTRIC CONTROL FROM TALKING TO WALKING.” One of Nechama's proudest “Mary Massery” moments occurred when she treated a man suffering from prostatectomy-related incontinence using Mary’s approach. She taught him to transfer without incontinence for the first time in 9 months - all in under 15 minutes! She is passionate about helping other therapists learn these important concepts.

Financial Disclosure:
Nechama receives an honorarium for teaching and speaking on this topic

Non‑financial Disclosure:
She has no non-financial relationships to disclose

Mary Massery’s Pediatric and Adult Course >> LINKED: Breathing & Postural Control, Part 1 image

Course Description:

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 “soda pop can model” links breathing mechanics to postural control using multi-system interactions. The speaker presents novel research demonstrating the role of vocal folds as postural stabilizers, extending the concept of “core stability” from the vocal folds on the top of the trunk to the pelvic floor on the bottom. In Part-1, foundational information and quick interventions will be the focus (positioning and ventilatory strategies). In Part-2, the focus shifts to hands-on techniques: assessing “normal” breathing patterns, and learning neuromotor breathing retraining techniques and manual assistive cough techniques. Multiple clinical cases will be used to cement the concepts. The course is applicable for any pediatric or adult patient (or therapist) who breathes!

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

Relate trunk pressures to breathing and postural control using the Soda Pop Can Model.
Identify the multiple, simultaneous roles of the diaphragm as related to breathing, postural control, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, and venous return.
Correlate the role of the vocal folds in normal postural stability responses (balance) and make the case for using speaking valves for patients with tracheostomies.
Choose the best client positions using simple equipment (towels, pillows, abdominal binders, etc) for optimal physiological and biomechanical support of breathing.
Utilize a ventilatory strategy algorithm presented in class to optimally match breathing with movements from bed mobility to athletic endeavors.
Apply concepts to a wide variety of patient populations from infancy to geriatrics.

Course Agenda:

PART-1: Friday, Sept 11 (8.0 Contact Hours)

7:30–8:00 – Registration
8:00–8:20 – Discussion
Introduction to course topics
8:20–9:45 – Lecture
Breathing and posture: Pressure control (Soda pop model)
9:45–10:00 – BREAK
10:00–11:30 – Lab
Positioning strategies: What can you do in 90 Seconds or less that has a profound and lasting effect?
11:30–12:15 – Lecture
Breathing and posture: The diaphragm’s many roles
12:15–1:15 – LUNCH
1:15–1:35 – Lab
Sneak peek: Ventilatory/movement strategies
1:35–3:15 – Lecture
Breathing and posture: The internal organs. The vocal folds.
3:15–3:30 – BREAK
3:30–5:10 – Lab
Ventilatory/movement strategies: Integrating neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, respiratory and sensory systems
5:10–5:30 – Lecture
Summary, “Pearls,” sleep homework

Course Fee: $250.00

Registration deadline: September 09

Contact Information

M Health Fairview Rehab Services Continuing Education Department

Email: rehabce@fairview.org
Phone: 612-672-5607