IN-PERSON COURSE

Breastfeeding and Pelvic Health Therapy: Improving our Care of Mothers

Expand your expertise to include breastfeeding and lactation, areas often overlooked in traditional physical therapy training.

April 6-7, 2024

1991 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713

Tucson, Arizona

UNAVAILABE

Price: $525 Early Bird Price: $475

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CANCELLED

Course Description:

Physical therapists, occupational therapists and rehabilitation professionals receive little to no training in regard to breastfeeding and latch assessment, milk production/supply, common breast problems, and breastfeeding intervention strategies; however, pelvic health therapists make biomechanical and postural/positional changes in order to decrease pain and dysfunction in the mother related to orthopedic complaints. Pelvic health therapists may also find themselves giving advice and suggestions around breastfeeding and lactation based around personal experience and not grounded in evidence or current best practices. This continuing education course will teach you:

how to effectively address the biomechanics of mother and infant during their nursing relationship.
A basic understanding of human lactation and the biomechanics surrounding lactation will add significant value to the care of women and infants during their birthing year.
An understanding of lactation is a part of treating the whole person and her whole recovery.

Practitioners will learn evidence-based information around human lactation, manual therapy skills for addressing engorgement disorders and breast/nipple pain, breastfeeding positioning which takes into account both maternal and infant ability, be able to answer simple questions and identify issues which require referral in order to support the breastfeeding relationship and help mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals. We will also address orthopedic impairments that often present with breastfeeding including manual therapy and exercise for wrist, chest, shoulder, thoracic, and cervical pain.

Enroll today and elevate the quality of care in your clinic for the benefit of your patients.

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Ann Croghan

PT, DPT, CLC, CAPP-OB

This course will empower you to:

Discuss the role of the physical therapist and occupational therapist, recommendations from WHO and UNICEF, and APTA/AOTA scope of practice.  
Explain, in detail, the anatomy of the breast tissue, the breast lymphatic system, breast muscular system, breast nervous system, thoracic spine, ribs, as well as infant oral anatomy. 
Explain how human milk is made, the elements of production, role of hormones, and how feeding patterns influence milk supply. 
Describe engorgement and perform manual breast lymphatic drainage techniques, rib mobility, thoracic mobility required to decrease effects of engorgement. 
Perform and explain techniques to address orthopedic impairments in order to improve maternal function and protect exclusive breastfeeding.  
Describe the “breast crawl” and the importance of the “Golden Hour”.

Explain, using evidence, how to support mothers during their birthing process and immediate postpartum period for exclusive breastfeeding including medications used during the birth process and positional suggestions to decrease use of medications. 
List specific steps required for infant latch including biomechanical requirements and be able to identify a correct latch. 
Discuss proper infant feeding.
Describe common breastfeeding problems and offer evidence-based solutions to protect exclusive breastfeeding.
Describe and implement breastfeeding positional suggestions that support the mother’s orthopedic conditions as well as baby conditions while protecting the infant latch and exclusive breastfeeding.  
Identify and list circumstances when referral should be made to a lactation professional and physician.

Audience:

Physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, doulas, midwives, other medical professionals who work with women during their birthing years.

This course does include internal and external manual therapy skills surrounding the genital region.This course content is not intended for use by any participants outside the scope of their license or regulation. You will need to check with your practice act for what is within your scope.

Continuing Education Credit:

Physical therapy and occupational therapy credit will be offered in the state the course is hosted.