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Mary Massery’s LINKED: Breathing & Postural Control A Pediatric and Adult Course Part 1
PT
OT
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:
Contact Hours: 8.0
Course Completion:
Course intended to be completed in full.
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
Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
At the conclusion of Part-1 (Day-1), participants 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.
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 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
Contact Information
M Health Fairview Rehab Services Continuing Education Department
Email: rehabce@fairview.org
Phone: 612-672-5607