IPTA

Every year, over 200 new research studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, literature reviews, and case reports are published in the scientific literature on myofascial pain and dry needling. For the clinician, these many papers make it nearly impossible to keep up with the literature. 

In this brief review, Jan Dommerholt will explore the most pertinent recent literature on myofascial pain and dry needling. The review will include studies on the mechanisms of myofascial pain, clinical applications, and new uses of dry needling, for example, for neurologic conditions (i.e., spasticity), performance enhancement, scar tissue and fascial adhesions, and tendinopathies. 

Dr. Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, President/CEO of Myopain Seminars presents a literature review on "What’s New in the Dry Needling Literature"

Objectives: 

• Describe five systematic reviews and meta-analyses of dry needling.

Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, President/CEO of Myopain Seminars

Dr. Jan Dommerholt is co-founder and president/CEO of Myopain Seminars. His early career mentors included Drs. Janet Travell, David Simons, Robert Gerwin, Richard S. Materson, Karel Lewit, and Peter Baldry, among others. Together with Robert Gerwin, Jan started teaching dry needling courses in 1996, first in Spain and from 1997 onwards also in the USA. Jan is a Dutch-trained physical therapist who holds a Master of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in both Biomechanical Trauma and Healthcare Administration from Lynn University, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Dommerholt has taught hundreds of courses and lectured at over 80 conferences throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East while maintaining an active clinical practice. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, Cuestiones de Fisioterapia, and the Journal of Invasive Therapies in Physical Therapy. Jan is an Honorary Member of the Iranian Physiotherapy Association and of the Polish Association of Invasive Physiotherapy. In 2016, he received the Janet G. Travell Excellence in Education Award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists. The American Physical Therapy Association recognized his achievements by awarding him the 2014 Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award.

Dr. Dommerholt has edited several books on myofascial pain, dry needling, and manual physical therapy, authored about 80 book chapters, and more than 140 articles on dry needling, myofascial pain, external-focus exercise, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and performing arts physical therapy. From 2004 through 2021, he prepared a quarterly literature review column on myofascial pain initially with Dr. David Simons for the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain followed by the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies with a variety of co-authors. He is president/CEO of Bethesda Physiocare® in Bethesda, MD (www.bethesdaphysiocare.com).

This program was originally recorded January 12, 2024.

You can even earn 1 hour of CE:  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $35. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

This #THIRDTHURSDAY course will start by describing and educating on rotator cuff anatomy. We will then progress to discussing the function of the rotator cuff and the potential pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears. Participants will learn some common physical exam findings associated with rotator cuff pathology. Finally, indications will be discussed, as well as treatment options and outcomes following rotator cuff surgery.

Dr. Jordan Goldstein, MD share his insights and expertise on "Rotator Cuff Tears: From the boring to the interesting."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basic anatomy of the shoulder and rotator cuff.

Jordan Goldstein, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon, Illinois Bone and Joint, Park Ridge, IL

Dr. Goldstein specializes in the treatment of shoulder, elbow, and knee conditions with advanced arthroscopic shoulder and knee ligament reconstructive techniques, shoulder replacement, and cartilage restoration. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. In addition to publishing several peer reviewed research articles and presenting theoretical lectures, he has taught as an associate master instructor for the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Additionally, Dr. Goldstein has presented advanced arthroscopic video techniques at national meetings.

This program was originally recorded January 18, 2024.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $45. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

Physical therapist practice is rooted in exercise prescription. The capacity to fully understand a patient's exercise response requires measurement and interpretation of vital sign responses with exertional challenges. This lecture will offer multiple examples of the difference that a therapist can make in their patient outcomes using equipment available in all practice settings. #VitalsAreVITAL

Jennifer M Ryan, PT, DPT, MS, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy shares her insight and expertise on "Vital Sign Measurement and Interpretation."

Objectives: 

• Apply the rationale for why we measure vital signs

Jennifer M Ryan, PT, DPT, MS, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy graduated from the Physical Therapy program at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1990 and went on to complete both a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. In July 2006 and 2016, she was awarded board certification as a Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialization. Throughout her physical therapy career, she has specialized in physical therapy care for critically ill patients and their families.

In her current position at Northwestern University, she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences. Dr Ryan was the recipient of the IPTA Physical Therapist of the Year award in 2008, the recipient of the Mary Sinnott Award for Excellence in Acute Care Physical Therapy in 2012 and she was the 2014 Acute Care Section Lecture Award recipient. Her teaching is in the area of cardiovascular and pulmonary and acute care physical therapy both in her primary position and in continuing education seminars.

This program was originally recorded August 28, 2023.

You can even earn 1.5 hour of CE:  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $25. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

An employment agreement is a formal contract that establishes the terms, conditions, and obligations of employment between an employer and an employee. This course will provide a brief overview for PT professionals, and other key personnel, of main issues to know and understand when receiving and discussing your employment agreement with potential future employers.

Chris DeGrande, Healthcare Attorney at Benesch shares his insight and expertise on "Legal Basics of Understanding Your Employee Agreement."

Objectives: 

• Understand the basics of the discussion and negotiation process of an employment agreement

Christopher DeGrande, Healthcare Attorney at Benesch

Chris’ practice focuses on healthcare law, particularly transactional, regulatory, and corporate matters, including state and federal licensing, Anti-Kickback and Stark issues, corporate practice of medicine prohibitions, transactional and contractual structuring and drafting, and transactional diligence review.

Chris has experience with transactional and regulatory issues involving health care entities in various fields including, but not limited to, physical therapy, hospital settings, dermatology, ambulatory surgery, orthopedics, home health, behavioral health, ophthalmology/optometry, dentistry, women’s health, telemedicine, and veterinary medicine. Previously, Chris has worked as an extern for the Presence Health General Counsel and also served as a judicial extern in the State of Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County. Before attending law school, Chris worked as a consultant at Cerner Corporation, a global supplier of health information technology solutions.

This program was originally recorded September 26, 2023.

You can even earn 1 hour of CE:  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $25. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world played by people of all ages, physical abilities, and skill levels.  Like any sport, regardless of skill level or how often you play, injuries will occur.  Therefore, it is important to know how to keep your golfers healthy and enjoying their time on the course. 

Golf is a true rotational sport.  The golf swing is performed through a full body rotation to build centripetal force, using the golf club as a whip to hit the ball.  One key to treating the golfing population is to understand what the ideal motion in the golf swing is, and how that relates to the patient in front of us. 

This THIRDTHURSDAY course will discuss the injury prevalence in golf, basic biomechanics of the golf swing, common dysfunctional swing characteristics, assessment principles, and basic rehab considerations.  

Dr. Matthew Ventimiglia, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, CMTPT shares his insights and expertise on "Golf Rehab – Keep Your Patients Up To Par!"

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss common injuries and prevalence in golf

Dr. Matthew Ventimiglia, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, CMTPT is a Physical Therapist and Clinic Manager in Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL. He obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Carroll University. Following graduate school, he moved to Chicago where he began his practice in the outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine setting. With a high interest in working with the golf population, he completed the Level I certification through the Titleist Performance Institute. He has worked with golfers of all skill levels including high school and collegiate golfers, geriatric, and beginners. He recently completed his Fellowship from the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy.

This program was originally recorded September 21, 2023.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $35. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

Illinois physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are required to participate in a one-hour course on the laws that affect the practice of physical therapy in Illinois in each license renewal cycle as part of meeting the ethics requirement. This course reviews various legal authorities which impact the practice of physical therapy in Illinois. 

This course fulfills the 1 hour jurisprudence requirement, for license renewal by the State of Illinois. 

Following completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the various sources of rules and law that govern physical therapy practice in Illinois.

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS/ CE SUBSCRIBERS - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $30. 

Note to nonmembers: In free CE opportunities alone, your APTA/IPTA membership can pay for itself! Do the math – we welcome you to explore the various benefits of IPTA membership by clicking here. You too can be a part of your professional association, click here to join!

Ann W. Jackson, PT, DPT, MPH is a physical therapist who received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University, a Masters of Public Health from the University of South Carolina and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University. Her clinical interests include: children and adults living with neuromuscular conditions, rehabilitation needs following a cancer diagnosis/care, integration of community resources into long term care plans. Her research interests include: efficacy of service delivery models and outcome measures.

Demetra John PT, PhD received her physical therapy training from Northwestern University and her PhD in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She is retired after working more than 30 years at UIC in multiple faculty and administrative roles. Demetra is a member of the IPTA Ethics Committee and the IPTF Pro Bono Committee. She has provided pro bono physical therapy services to the uninsured for over 25 years.

This program was originally recorded April 29, 2023.

Healthcare providers have a professional responsibility to their patients, profession, employers, and the public to provide ethical and high-quality care.  Physical Therapists face multiple pressures/factors that may cause ethical issues to arise in the workplace and their practice. 

IPTA's Ethics Committee will introduce basic ethical concepts, assist therapists in recognizing ethical concerns, complete ethical analyses, and provide mechanisms for reporting/managing ethical concerns that may arise in practice.  This course also examines various legal authorities which impact the practice of physical therapy in Illinois and fulfills the jurisprudence requirement that is part of the revised ethics continuing education requirement in Illinois.

This course fulfills the 3 hour Ethics requirement, including jurisprudence, for license renewal by the State of Illinois. 

Following completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand basic ethical and legal principles.

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS/ CE SUBSCRIBERS - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $75. 

Note to nonmembers: In free CE opportunities alone, your APTA/IPTA membership can pay for itself! Do the math – we welcome you to explore the various benefits of IPTA membership by clicking here. You too can be a part of your professional association, click here to join!

Ann W. Jackson, PT, DPT, MPH is a physical therapist who received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University, a Masters of Public Health from the University of South Carolina and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University. Her clinical interests include: children and adults living with neuromuscular conditions, rehabilitation needs following a cancer diagnosis/care, integration of community resources into long term care plans. Her research interests include: efficacy of service delivery models and outcome measures.

Demetra John PT, PhD received her physical therapy training from Northwestern University and her PhD in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She is retired after working more than 30 years at UIC in multiple faculty and administrative roles. Demetra is a member of the IPTA Ethics Committee and the IPTF Pro Bono Committee. She has provided pro bono physical therapy services to the uninsured for over 25 years.

This program was originally recorded April 29, 2023.

Breathing is an essential part of life and a major component in our health.  This #THIRDTHURSDAY lecture is designed to be an introduction to how breathing impacts our physiology and various diagnoses.  This course will teach you how to breathe properly, how breathing changes as you're in pain and how you can use breathing to improve outcomes with various diagnoses including headaches, tinnitus, cervical pain, lumbar pain and even long COVID.

Dr. Carl Wharam, PT, DPT shares his insight and expertise on "Breathing, Headaches and Back Pain, Oh My!"

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Review proper breathing mechanics and patterns.

Dr. Carl Wharam, PT, DPT is the Clinic Director at Doctors of Physical Therapy in Bartlett where he specializes in orthopedics and craniofacial diagnoses. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Michigan-Flint. Afterwards he was trained in the Buteyko Method, Tummo breathing and gained experience with Postural Restoration Institute. He has worked with the Hobson Institute. When not in the clinic, he enjoys playing pickleball, practicing the guitar and finding the best donuts in the area.

This program was originally recorded June 15, 2023.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $35. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

Arthrofibrosis, also known as joint contracture, is a pathological wound healing disease characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of connective tissue in and around a joint, resulting in severe pain, marked loss of joint mobility, and diminished functional independence in daily life. It is most prevalent in the hip, elbow, and knee following exposure to physical trauma such as surgery, prolonged period of immobilization, or infection. In the shoulder, it typically occurs idiopathically and is known as adhesive capsulitis. In some cases, the disease may become permanent and, in rare instances, can result in amputation of the affected limb. Physical therapists are often the first members of the healthcare team to encounter an individual struggling with arthrofibrosis. Thus, early identification of the disease and proper clinical management are integral in preventing and/or minimizing its potential deleterious effects on an individual’s daily function and overall quality of life.

This #THIRDTHURSDAY lecture will be a joint presentation, given by a physical therapist experienced in treating individuals with arthrofibrosis alongside a leading scientific researcher in the field. Arthrofibrosis and its clinical implications for the treating clinician will be discussed in detail and include a specific emphasis on arthrofibrosis of the knee following surgical intervention (e.g., s/p ACLR, TKA, meniscectomy). A current scientific understanding of arthrofibrosis and its pathological mechanisms will be presented first, followed by the presentation of common clinical markers for its early recognition in the clinic. Proposed best physical therapy practices when treating individuals struggling with arthrofibrosis will also be presented accompanied by relevant case studies. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A session amongst the presenters and lecture attendees.

Dr. Nathan Brimm, PT, DPT & Dr. Kayley Usher, PhD shares their insight and expertise on "Understanding Arthrofibrosis and Its Clinical Implications."

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the difference between arthrofibrosis and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Dr. Nathan Brimm, PT, DPT works as a physical therapist in the Outpatient Rehabilitation department at Weiss Memorial Hospital located in Chicago’s North Side. Nathan received his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University. Over the past several years, Nathan has come in contact with countless individuals struggling with arthrofibrosis, especially following orthopedic surgeries such as ACL reconstruction and revision total knee arthroplasty. It is from these experiences that Nathan has sought to learn more about arthrofibrosis and its harmful effects in order to best optimize long-term clinical outcome of individuals suffering from this unyielding disease.

Dr. Kayley Usher, PhD received her PhD from the University of Western Australia and is an Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Western Australia. Kayley has a research background in immunology and microbiology, and her journey with arthrofibrosis began after a total knee replacement. Her experience of the “black hole” in awareness and understanding of arthrofibrosis created a passion to inform and educate people. Drawing on her scientific understanding of fibrosis, Kayley wrote a review paper called "Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis", published in Nature Bone Research in 2019. Since this time, she founded the International Arthrofibrosis Association where she provides scientifically referenced information about the pathology of arthrofibrosis and treatment options and provides support.

This program was originally recorded May 18, 2023.

You can even earn 2 hours of CE (Self- Study):  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $35. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.

Today, more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, and 220,000 of these live in the state of Illinois. As the Silver Tsunami continues to roar towards our shores, the need for comprehensive and evidence-informed clinical management for our patients with dementia is more vital than ever. Increasingly, individuals with cognitive impairments caused by dementia are coming into contact with a variety of professionals across all healthcare settings.

Due to the underpreparedness of our healthcare system in managing the complex needs of this patient population, the state of Illinois is requiring mandated training for all licensed healthcare professionals who see patients aged 26 or older. One hour of CE on dementia training is required each licensure renewal period effective January 1, 2023. This presentation serves as an introduction for physical therapy professionals on pathology, effective communication strategies, basic clinical care planning on dementia and the scope of practice of the physical therapy professional.

This course meets the 1 hour Alzheimer and Dementias training required by the State of Illinois.

The Dementia Training Mandate for Illinois healthcare professionals was signed into Law in the summer of 2021. For license or registration renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2023, all licensed healthcare professionals (as defined in Public Act 102-0399) in Illinois, who have direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above will be required to complete at least a one-hour course in training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias per renewal period. A health care professional may count this one hour for completion of this course towards meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education.  

Objectives: 

• Appraise the prevalence of dementia in the population, including the most common types of dementia and underlying causes

Mitchelle Calderon, PT, DPT, CEEAA, GCS Born and raised in the Philippines, Mitchelle graduated from Silliman University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, and a Masters of Public Health in 2004. She migrated to the United States in 2005 and has practiced at Marshall Browning Hospital in Southern Illinois up to the present.  She mainly works in a hospital-based outpatient setting but has also worked in an inpatient and SNF setting.  She obtained her Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA) in 2009 and Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) in 2011 and renewed in 2021. She completed her t-DPT in 2016 from A.T. Still University. Mitchelle has been an APTA, IPTA, and Geriatric Section member since 2010.  She is presently the Secretary of the IPTA Geriatrics Special Interest Group.  She lives in Du Quoin, Il with her husband, 12 y/o daughter, and 8 y/o son. Her goal as part of the Geri SIG executive committee is to work with the team to provide information and network with PTs, PTAs, and students whose passion is working with the older adults.

Heidi Moyer, PT, DPT, CEEAA, GCS (they/them) is a physical therapist located in San Angelo, Texas. They are the current chair of the IPTA Geriatrics Special Interest Group, the chair of APTA Geriatrics Balance and Falls Special Interest Group, and serve as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Angelo State University. Heidi’s professional background includes teaching entry-level DPT as well as continuing education; clinical experience in the inpatient rehabilitation, home health, outpatient, long-term acute care, and skilled nursing facility settings; and serving as the Program Director for the Evidence In Motion Geriatric Certification Program.

Sally Fisher, PT, DPT, NCCDP, GCS, CEEAA (she/her) is a physical therapist based in Bloomington, Illinois. As a National Council Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) and a Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA), Sally has served as the Vice-Chair for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association Geriatric Special Interest Group (GeriSIG), since 2019. Sally has been an APTA member since 1996. With over 30 years experience including acute rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, long-term care, and skilled nursing facility settings, Sally currently works in home care.

This program was originally recorded June 20, 2023.

You can even earn 1 hour of CE:  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS / CE Subscribers - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $30. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.