Courses for PTs & OTs

  • Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist

    This is a 2 day hybrid course in which participants will learn about the vasculature and lymphatic anatomy of the abdomen and pelvis. Day 1 is the lecture portion of the course and is provided online for you to do at your own pace. Day 2 of the course is all of the hands-on labs. Basic hand skills will be taught in lab for lymphatic drainage of the deep abdomen and pelvis and viscera. Treatment techniques will also be covered for vascular releases of the large abdominal and pelvic vessels. Upon completion of the course, therapists will be able to recognize and treat lymphatic congestion and vascular tension within tissues in patients with pelvic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction.

    Skills covered will only go over the normal lymphatic anatomy and will NOT prepare a therapist for abnormal anatomy and lymphedema treatment.

    These are small classes with a maximum of 10:1 student: teacher/lab assistant ratio.

    Pre-Requisites: None

  • The Infertility Protocol

    This is a 2 day hybrid course in which participants will learn about infertility and treatments to optimize the reproductive environment for fertility. Day 1 is the lecture portion of the course and is provided online for you to do at your own pace. Day 2 of the course is all of the hands-on labs. Basic hand skills will be reviewed in lab for lymphatic drainage of the deep abdomen and pelvis, vascular techniques of the large abdominal vessels and pelvic organs, and visceral fascial techniques for the pelvis. Musculoskeletal techniques will be taught that also impact the reproductive environment. Upon completion of the course, therapists will be able to recognize and treat lymphatic congestion, vascular tension, fascial restriction, and musculoskeletal issues within tissues in patients with infertility.

    These are small classes with a maximum of 10:1 student: teacher/lab assistant ratio.

    Pre-requisites:

    1. Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist

    2. Mobilization of Visceral Fascia: Reproductive System (Ramona Horton- Herman & Wallace) OR Gail Wexler’s Visceral Pelvic Course

  • Lymphatic & Vascular Techniques for the Ortho Therapist

    This is a 2 day hybrid course in which participants will learn about the vasculature and lymphatic anatomy of the back and extremities. Day 1 is the lecture portion of the course and is provided online for you to do at your own pace. Day 2 of the course is all of the hands-on labs. Basic hand skills will be taught in lab for lymphatic drainage of the deep abdomen and extremities. Vascular techniques will cover the large abdominal vessels and main vessels of the extremities. Upon completion of the course, therapists will be able to recognize and treat lymphatic congestion and vascular tension within tissues in patients with various orthopedic issues. Skills covered will only go over the normal lymphatic anatomy and will NOT prepare a therapist for abnormal anatomy and lymphedema treatment.

    These are small classes with a maximum of 10:1 student: teacher/lab assistant ratio.

    Pre-Requisites: None

This comprehensive continuing education course is designed for physical and occupational therapists and assistants who wish to expand their clinical expertise in evaluating and treating breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics involved in breastfeeding, as well as practical strategies for addressing common issues that affect both the mother and infant which impact breastfeeding. This course is designed as a beginner to intermediate program that teaches advanced skills for direct application of manual therapy techniques to the breast as well as the infant to address breastfeeding barriers. It also includes updated information regarding current ABM (Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine) protocols, common breast, nipple, and infant oral diagnoses, and a thorough understanding of the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach.  There is also thorough explanation and demonstration of milk production as well as the infant’s role in feeding at the breast. Basic hand skills will be taught for evaluation and treatment of the fascia, lymphatics, and vasculature of the breast; as well as evaluation of the infant’s posture, trunk, neck, and oral structures as it impacts the suck. The course also includes important considerations for working with this specialized population such as normal developmental milestones and behaviors of the newborn and how to support new parents.


Completely online. Available at Pelvic Global Academy.

Breast, Baby & The Difficult Latch

Upcoming Course Dates

Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist

September 20, 2025: Washington, DC

The Infertility Protocol

September 21, 2025: Washington, DC

Lymph & Vascular Techniques for the Ortho Therapist

No courses currently scheduled

Course Testimonials

“I had a very powerful experience with 2 women specifically, One had a fibrotic rope under an old scar on her L groin into the medial pubic area. When I did vascular release on her she teared up and said she got so much relief from pain. The other patient had another transformative experience with sensation down her legs again. Long story short, she started running again, lost 40 lbs and has never been the same. I barely recognized her at our last lymph/lipedema support group! I can't thank you enough for the lessons you gave us.” -CS

“This course was a great combo of prep material and lab demos with a good pace of the in-person day where I did not feel overwhelmed. Mary Ellen did a wonderful job and made the material easy to understand and apply in lab.”

“I wanted to point out another aspect of your course that made it different from others I've taken. It was an amazing anatomy review. I feel like I can rattle off branches and attachments like I did in PT school anatomy.  I've never had another course emphasize and spend the time on the anatomy in a way that made is accessible and easy to remember. Maybe it's because of the lab focus rather than information overload. But, the way you teach is at the students level rather than on some astro projected plane that us mere mortals hope to aspire to. “ -DP

“I found the whole course (prelab and lab) very helpful and informative. I enjoyed the lab demonstrations and practice time especially helpful. Mary Ellen was a great speaker- very knowledgeable, down to earth and funny which made the course easy to follow and understand.”

Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release

for the Pelvic Therapist

Goals and Objectives:

  1. Describe the basic anatomy and function of the lymphatic system.

  2. Perform basic lymph drainage techniques in the epifascial lymphatic system.

  3. Perform drainage techniques on lymph nodes and deep lymphatic vessels.

  4. Describe anatomy of drainage pathways of the viscera of the abdomen and pelvis.

  5. Perform drainage of the abdominal and pelvic organs.

  6. Differentiate between congested and non-congested tissues and utilize techniques to open congested pathways.

  7. Determine when other techniques need to be used in lieu of manual lymph drainage

  8. Recognize when basic manual lymph drainage is sufficient and when referrals to other practitioners are needed

  9. Understand need for vascular releases

  10.  Describe large vessel vascular pathways within the abdomen and pelvis

  11.  Perform vascular releases within abdomen and pelvis

Agenda:

Lymphatic Drainage and Vascular Release for the Pelvic PT

Part 1: Online Lecture: (2hr 45 min): Will be emailed after registration and must be viewed prior to the course. 

Positional Release: scientific background: 29 minutes

Vascular system overview: 34 minutes

Lymphatic System overview: 1hr 42 min

Part 2: In person Lab Course

8:30-8:45          Introductions

8:45-9:30          Positional Release: Demo, Lab

9:30-10:00        Vascular Release: Aorta & External Iliacs: Demo, Lab

10:00-10:30     Vascular Techniques: Demo, Lab

10:30-10:45     Break

10:45-11:30      Vascular Release: Internal iliacs & Uterine Vessels: Demo, Lab

11:30-12:30     Vascular Release: Renal, Ovarian/Testicular, Small Bowel

12:30-1:30      Lunch

1:30-2:00          Demo/Lab: basic lymph drainage techniques, Depth of treatment,

Palpation & drainage of different levels of tissues, nodes, deep vessels

2:00-2:30          Drainage of the Liver: Demo, Lab

2:30-3:00           Drainage of the uterus, vulva & bladder, testicles, scrotum: Demo, Lab

3:00-3:15         Break

3:15-4:30         Internal Lab: Putting it all together

4:30-4:45           Congestion in the lymphatic system

4:45-5:00         Questions

Course Cost: $550

The Infertility Protocol

Goals and Objectives:

  1. Understand the available treatments for infertility for men and women

  2. Understand the role of pelvic therapists in the treatment of mechanical infertility.

  3. Understand the role of the lymphatic system in mechanical fertility treatment

  4. Understand the role of the vascular system in mechanical fertility treatment

  5. Understand the role of the visceral fascial system in mechanical fertility treatment

  6. Understand the role of the musculoskeletal system in mechanical infertility.

  7. Evaluate the infertile patient and determine which tissues require treatment.

  8. Perform musculoskeletal, fascial, vascular, and lymphatic treatments to optimize the reproductive system.

 

Pre-requisites:

 1. Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist

2. Mobilization of Visceral Fascia: Reproductive System (Ramona Horton- Herman & Wallace)

 OR Gail Wexler’s Visceral Pelvic Course

The Infertility Protocol Agenda:

Part 1: Online lecture

Please complete this section prior to the lab course.  This lecture can be viewed at any time.

Part 2: In person Lab Course

8:30-8:45          Introductions

8:45-9:30          Positional Release & Other Vascular Techniques Review: Demo, Lab

9:30-10:00        Vascular Review: Aorta & External & Internal iliacs, Uterine Vessels:                                               Demo, Lab

10:00-10:30     Vascular Techniques: Renal, Ovarian/Testicular, Small Bowel

10:30-10:45      Drainage of the Liver: Demo, Lab

10:45- 11:00     Drainage of the uterus & bladder: Demo, Lab

11:00-12:30      Visceral Fascia Review: Uterus, Tubes, Bladder, Peritoneum: Demo & Lab

12:30-1:30      Lunch

1:30-2:00          Muscle Energy Techniques for the Pelvis: Demo & Lab

2:00-2:30          Sacral Floating

2:30-3:00           The Cervix: Demo & Lab

3:00-3:30           Putting the Protocol Together: Live Demos

3:30-4:45         Protocol Lab

4:45-5:00         Questions

Course Cost: $695

Lymph & Vascular Techniques

for the Ortho Therapist

Goals and Objectives:

  1. Describe the basic anatomy and function of the lymphatic system.

  2. Perform basic lymph drainage techniques in the epifascial lymphatic system.

  3. Perform drainage techniques on lymph nodes and deep lymphatic vessels.

  4. Describe anatomy of drainage pathways of the extremities.

  5. Perform lymphatic drainage of the deep abdomen.

  6. Differentiate between congested and non-congested tissues and utilize techniques to open congested pathways.

  7. Determine when other techniques need to be used in lieu of manual lymph drainage

  8. Recognize when basic manual lymph drainage is sufficient and when referrals to other practitioners are needed

  9. Understand need for vascular releases

  10. Describe large vessel vascular pathways within the abdomen and pelvis

  11. Perform vascular releases within abdomen and extremities.

 Agenda

Part 1: Online Lecture: Will be emailed after registration and must be viewed prior to the course. 

Part 2: In person Lab Course

8:30-8:45          Introductions

8:45-9:30          Positional Release: Demo, Lab

9:30-10:00        Vascular Release: Aorta & External Iliacs: Demo, Lab

10:00-10:30     Vascular Techniques: Demo, Lab

10:30-10:45   Break

10:45-11:30     Vascular Release: Femoral Vessels: Demo, Lab

11:30-12:00     Vascular Release: Popliteal, Tibial vessels: Demo, Lab

12:00-12:30     Vascular Release: Spinals Vessels: Demo, Lab

12:30-1:30      Lunch

1:30-2:00          Vascular Release: Neck vessels: Demo, Lab

2:00-2:30          Vascular Release: Subclavian: Demo, Lab

2:30-3:00          Vascular Release: UE: Demo, Lab      

3:00-3:15                    Break

3:15-4:30        Demo/Lab: basic lymph drainage techniques, Depth of treatment,

Palpation & drainage of different levels of tissues, nodes, deep vessels

4:30-4:45          Drainage of the Liver: Demo, Lab

4:45-5:00       Questions

Course Cost: $550