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Physical Therapy
Continuing Education Courses

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Systemic Manifestations, Treatment Approach, & Navigating the Complex Patient

17.5 Contact Hours

(1.75 CEUs for CA)

We are currently an approved CEU provider in AZ, FL , GA, LA, NC, OH, OR, PA and TX. We are applying to other states (e.g., CA, MN, WA). Please click below to inquire about CEU approval in your state.

Recommended Reading

Taming the Zebra is the ultimate guide to prepare for your upcoming in-person Physical Therpay continuing education (CEU) class. With its comprehensive coverage of HSD/EDS and practical and evidence-based treatment approaches, it's the best resource to help you get the most from the course.

Taming the Zebra book cover

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT = 6 WEEKS PRIOR

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

We understand plans change and illness and emergencies arise. Cancellations made 7 days or more in advance of the course date will receive a refund of the amount paid for the course less a $50 processing fee. Cancellations made within 3 - 6 days will incur a 20% fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the course will incur a 30% fee. Contact info@tamingthezebra.org with any questions. 

Course Agenda

DAY 1

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5:30 pm                     Registration

6:00-7:00 pm            Introduction to pathophysiology, etiology, epidemiology, & diagnostic criteria

7:00-7:20 pm            (Lab) Application of diagnostic criteria

7:20-7:30 pm            Break

7:30-8:30 pm            Dysautonomia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS),  pathophysiology & diagnostic criteria

8:30-8:40 pm            Q&A

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DAY 2

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7:40-8:00 am            Coffee/ tea & check in

8:00-9:15 am            Beyond Diagnosis: Physical therapy examination and evaluation of patients with HSD and EDS

9:15-9:45 am            (Lab) Application of PT examination techniques

9:45-10:00 am          Break

10:00-11:00 am        Mast cell activation disorder (MCAD), gut health and pelvic health issues 

11:00am-12:00 pm  Musculoskeletal interventions for HSD/hEDS and POTS through the life-span.

12:00-1:00 pm          Lunch (on your own)

1:00-1:30 pm            (Lab) Interventions for HSD and POTS, including both case studies of pediatric, adult and geriatric patients, small and large group discussion about treatment modifications

1:30-1:45 pm            Q&A

1:45-2:45 pm            Upper extremity examination and treatment.

2:45-3:00 pm            Break

3:00-3:30 pm            (Lab) Elbow and hand assessment and treatment of common subluxations

3:30-4:15 pm            Psychosocial components of care: sleep hygiene, stress management, coping skills

4:15-4:30 pm            Integrating with other providers: medical management, etc. 

4:30-5:00 pm            Medically complex case studies

DAY 3

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7:40-8:00 am            Coffee/ tea & check in

8:00-9:00 pm            Neurological Manifestations in EDS/HSD

9:00-9:30 am            Examination of the mid to lower cervical spine and upper cervical spine,        treatment approaches and activation of stabilizers.

9:30-10:00 am          (Lab) Practice palpating and treatment via long hold repositioning, activation of stabilizers, and self treatment approaches

10:00-10:15 am        Break

10:15-11:00 am        Pain generators and differential treatment approaches.

11:00am-12:00 pm  Thoracic spine and lumbar evaluation and techniques to aid alignment.

12:00-1:00 pm          Lunch (on your own)

1:00-1:30 pm            (Lab) Assessing and teaching self treatments of thoracic, rib and lumbar subluxations

1:30-2:30 pm            Hip vs Pelvis subluxations

2:30-3:00 pm            (Lab) Assessing spine vs pelvis vs hip subluxations

3:00-3:15 pm            Break

3:15-4:00 pm            Knee, tibiofibular and foot subluxations - evaluation and treatment ideas for common subluxations

4:00-4:30 pm            (Lab) Assessing knee vs tibiofibular vs foot subluxation

4:30-5:00 pm            Orthopedically complex case studies

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Learning Objectives

At the end of this course participants will be able to:

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  • Perform clinical examinations to screen for HSD/hEDS and will have access to online resources for screening other types of EDS

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  • Screen for common comorbidities such as Mast Cell Activation​​Syndrome, Autonomic Dysfunction, and Digestive Issues and will know when to refer out for specialty care

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  • Modify treatments to accommodate comorbidities

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  • Perform clinical testing for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome​ (POTS) and will be able to modify exercise approaches for treatment of POTS

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  • Recognize common subluxations in the major joints of the body and will demonstrate at least one treatment for correction of these subluxations

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  • Understand the treatment paradigm presented so they can apply it to treatment of patients with HSD/EDS

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  • Gain mastery over treatment progression in this patient population

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  • Identify red flags that require safety checks prior to continuing with treatment

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  • Identify common neurological manifestations in HSD/EDS

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  • Identify the multiple types and drivers of pain that patients with HSD/EDS may present with

Course Description

This in-person course will cover differential diagnosis and treatment of hypermobility, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS). It will shed light on the complex medical comorbidities that can arise in patients with these conditions and offer insight into what rehabilitation professionals can do to assist optimal recovery. It will explain when to refer out for specialty care and will cover screening for comorbidities and the interaction of multiple comorbidities so that the rehab professional can empower patients in lifestyle changes that support improved health. The course will cover examination and treatment of unusual subluxations and will present a paradigm of treatment approach that rehabilitation experts find effective in working with this population. Lastly, the course will incorporate lab time to practice skills learned and will include case presentations to aid in solidifying the material covered.

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Faculty Bios

Heather Purdin, PT, MS, CMPT has been practicing PT in an outpatient setting for 26 years with a special interest in orthopedics, manual therapy, chronic pain, connective tissue disorders, and complex medical issues. She is President of the Oregon Area Ehlers-Danlos Society and runs a monthly support group for those navigating HSD/EDS. She owns Good Health Physical Therapy & Wellness, a private practice specializing in connective tissue disorders and hypermobility in Portland, OR.

 

Ms. Purdin is a Certified Manual Physical Therapist through NAIOMT & is currently training to be an FAAOMPT. She uses a variety of manual therapy approaches and incorporates biomechanical concepts in her stabilization exercises and strengthening of patients. Her patient population is currently 95% patients who are hypermobile and/or have EDS.

 

Ms. Purdin has developed online courses and presented nationally for APTA (NEXT and CSM), and extensively in Oregon aiming to raise awareness of this condition in the medical and lay communities. She co-authored a book with Dr. Patricia Stott, DPT called Taming the Zebra - It's Much More than Hypermobility, which aims to educate rehabilitation professionals in managing HSD/EDS. Volume Two is in the works.

 

Jaime Green, MSPT has been practicing PT for 23+ years spending most of that time in the outpatient setting. She has focused on manual therapy, orthopedics, return to sport, kinesiotaping, joint replacements, and living rurally has seen patients with all types of diagnoses. Recognizing patients with connective tissue disorders peaked her interest and she focused her continuing education efforts to better understand and treat these patients that were coming into the clinic in higher numbers than expected.

 

She and Heather worked together for 8 years in Portland, OR prior to her moving back to her hometown in rural upper Michigan. She and Heather have kept in touch and Jaime has completed all of the EDS/HSD continuing education classes offered by Heather and Patricia Stott. She has found it very applicable to her patient care and is happy to be helping with the course in California*. 

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*For the course in CA, the student: faculty ratio will be 16:1 or less.

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Tina Esquivel, PT has been practicing PT primarily in an outpatient setting for 20+ years. Her expertise is in Integrative Manual Therapy to treat patients with chronic pain and complex medical issues in a gentle and comprehensive way. She has been working for Heather Purdin for over 12 years in Portland, OR, and greatly values her learning from Heather to better treat her population of patients with EDS and hypermobility. Tina will be a teaching assistant for the upcoming course in Portland, Oregon.

Contact us HERE if you are interested in hosting an in-person course in your area.

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