November 7 & 8, 2019
Wilderness Resort, WI Dells

Breathing, Talking & Postural Control: Why is this relationship so important for school-based therapists to understand? 

Breathing mechanics and postural control are linked!  Using Mary Massery’s novel research and the “Soda-Pop Can” postural control model, the instructor will push this connection further, demonstrating the link between glottal control, breathing and upright postural stability.  Her focus will be on applying these concepts from walking to talking in the school-based therapy environment for PTs and OTs. 

Dr. Massery received her BS in PT 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 900 professional presentations in all 50 US states and in 17 countries worldwide, including more than 100 presentations for the American Physical Therapy Association. 

Mary has received national APTA awards, including its highest clinical award, The Florence Kendall Practice Award for "outstanding and enduring contributions to the practice of physical therapy.” She has also been honored as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by each of her 3 universities and received Northwestern University’s Alumnae Research Achievement Award. Mary continues to maintain a private practice in Chicago, specializing in breathing and postural dysfunction.