Breastfeeding & Physical Therapy: Improving our Care of Mothers.
, Dr. Ann Croghan PT, DPT, CLC, CAPP-OB
, Dr. Ann Croghan PT, DPT, CLC, CAPP-OB
Physical therapists are trained and can take advanced training to support women during antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods in order to decrease orthopedic injury during childbirth, decrease use of medical interventions, and improve postpartum recovery.
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.
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.
Target Audience:
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, other medical professionals who work with women during their birthing years.
Objectives:
1. Discuss the role of the physical therapist, recommendations from WHO and UNECIEF, and APTA scope of practice.
2. 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.
3. Explain how human milk is made, the elements of production, role of hormones, and how feeding patterns influence milk supply.
4. Describe engorgement and perform manual breast lymphatic drainage techniques, rib mobility, thoracic mobility required to decrease effects of engorgement.
5. Perform and explain techniques to address orthopedic impairments in order to improve maternal function and protect exclusive breastfeeding.
6. 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.
7. Describe the “breast crawl” and the importance of the “Golden Hour”.
8. List specific steps required for infant latch including biomechanical requirements and be able to identify a correct latch.
9. Discuss proper infant feeding.
10. Describe common breastfeeding problems and offer evidence-based solutions to protect exclusive breastfeeding.
11. 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.
12. Identify and list circumstances when referral should be made to lactation professional and physician.
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, other medical professionals who work with women during their birthing years.
Objectives:
1. Discuss the role of the physical therapist, recommendations from WHO and UNECIEF, and APTA scope of practice.
2. 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.
3. Explain how human milk is made, the elements of production, role of hormones, and how feeding patterns influence milk supply.
4. Describe engorgement and perform manual breast lymphatic drainage techniques, rib mobility, thoracic mobility required to decrease effects of engorgement.
5. Perform and explain techniques to address orthopedic impairments in order to improve maternal function and protect exclusive breastfeeding.
6. 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.
7. Describe the “breast crawl” and the importance of the “Golden Hour”.
8. List specific steps required for infant latch including biomechanical requirements and be able to identify a correct latch.
9. Discuss proper infant feeding.
10. Describe common breastfeeding problems and offer evidence-based solutions to protect exclusive breastfeeding.
11. 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.
12. Identify and list circumstances when referral should be made to lactation professional and physician.
Interested in hosting a course?
Opportunity for courses to come to your clinic.
See current courses available below.
Contact questions@alcoveeducation.com for more inquiries.
Course Directory
Treatment Approaches for Pelvic Pain: Connecting the "Treatment" Dots beyond the Vulva.
Our newest course is designed to identify and understand common pelvic pain diagnoses in the male and female population. Once a sound foundation is made in understanding these diagnoses then treatment approaches will be taught that are applicable to each diagnosis. This course discusses vestibulodynia (hormone mediated & pelvic floor overactivity), PGAD, premature ejaculation, coccydynia, pudendal neuralgia, to name a few.
Learn internal and external treatment approaches to get your patient to the path of recovery.
Dr. Kelli will provide you guidance on what to do with your pelvic pain patients by providing an algorithmic framework on how to appropriately treat this population.
This course is filled with manual therapy treatments at the vulva, vagina, back, thoracic, hips, and even the TMJ!
This course was inspired from requests of former students yearning to learn more orthopedic & pelvic floor manual therapy approaches. Alcove only aims to please, so here we are premiering a new course.
This course will expand every physical therapist's knowledge of the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual/vulvovaginal/pelvic pain to facilitate better care in your clinic and improvement for your patients.
Our newest course is designed to identify and understand common pelvic pain diagnoses in the male and female population. Once a sound foundation is made in understanding these diagnoses then treatment approaches will be taught that are applicable to each diagnosis. This course discusses vestibulodynia (hormone mediated & pelvic floor overactivity), PGAD, premature ejaculation, coccydynia, pudendal neuralgia, to name a few.
Learn internal and external treatment approaches to get your patient to the path of recovery.
Dr. Kelli will provide you guidance on what to do with your pelvic pain patients by providing an algorithmic framework on how to appropriately treat this population.
This course is filled with manual therapy treatments at the vulva, vagina, back, thoracic, hips, and even the TMJ!
This course was inspired from requests of former students yearning to learn more orthopedic & pelvic floor manual therapy approaches. Alcove only aims to please, so here we are premiering a new course.
This course will expand every physical therapist's knowledge of the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual/vulvovaginal/pelvic pain to facilitate better care in your clinic and improvement for your patients.
Vestibulodynia: A Pelvic Floor and Orthopedic Approach
This course is intended to teach the pelvic floor therapist how to correctly identify, assess and treat vestibulodynia. The course covers the definitions of different types of dyspareunia, how different diagnoses overlap and how to perform a differential diagnosis when presented with vulvar and vestibule pain. The course covers how to do an appropriate examination, assessment and formulate a correct treatment plan. It covers internal and external techniques to treat the patient with vestibulodynia. This course also covers medical management options, specialists’ theories, research-based theories for cause of vestibule pain and research covering treatment for vestibule pain. This course discusses how to assist in creating an appropriate medical team for the woman with vestibulodynia.
This course is intended to teach the pelvic floor therapist how to correctly identify, assess and treat vestibulodynia. The course covers the definitions of different types of dyspareunia, how different diagnoses overlap and how to perform a differential diagnosis when presented with vulvar and vestibule pain. The course covers how to do an appropriate examination, assessment and formulate a correct treatment plan. It covers internal and external techniques to treat the patient with vestibulodynia. This course also covers medical management options, specialists’ theories, research-based theories for cause of vestibule pain and research covering treatment for vestibule pain. This course discusses how to assist in creating an appropriate medical team for the woman with vestibulodynia.
Human Lactation Perspectives for the Physical Therapist
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, 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.
Target Audience:
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, other medical professionals who work with women during their birthing years.
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, 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.
Target Audience:
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, other medical professionals who work with women during their birthing years.
How to Treat a Man in Pain: Part 1
This course is intended to teach physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and students how to properly identify, assess, and treat men with chronic pelvic pain. This includes male patients with bladder, bowel, sexual and pelvic pain dysfunctions. It covers how to diagnose or identify these conditions, perform thorough examinations, perform assessments and how to properly formulate a treatment plan. The course goes into advanced skills utilizing pelvic floor related manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise to treat men with pelvic pain. In addition, medical management options, marketing education and a FaceTime Q & A session with a physician are included in the course. This course includes male models.
This course is intended to teach physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and students how to properly identify, assess, and treat men with chronic pelvic pain. This includes male patients with bladder, bowel, sexual and pelvic pain dysfunctions. It covers how to diagnose or identify these conditions, perform thorough examinations, perform assessments and how to properly formulate a treatment plan. The course goes into advanced skills utilizing pelvic floor related manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise to treat men with pelvic pain. In addition, medical management options, marketing education and a FaceTime Q & A session with a physician are included in the course. This course includes male models.
Diving into the Pelvic Floor: Lab Component
A Comprehensive Introductory Course for Novice Practitioners
This introductory lab component will provide you with a strong foundation to be able to treat common pelvic floor diagnoses starting on Monday. This lab will cover both vaginal and rectal assessments and treatments. We will review hands on skills including connective tissue manipulation and trigger point releases. There will also be more case study discussion that will expand your clinical reasoning to treat the pelvic health population.
This course is flexible in that you can attend live: in person or digitally. If you attend digitally, you must have a partner to practice the internal skills on. If your partner could be a class participant, even better!
