Full Course Description

Therapeutic Connection of Yoga and Medicine: Integrative Systems-based Approach to Reduce Pain and Improve Overall Outcome

My yoga journey began as a personal one, to find balance in my own life. But after learning yogic traditions in India and completing my yoga teacher training in New Mexico, I was quickly able to see the connection of functional medicine and yoga. It is so much more than just stretching in a fitness club. It’s a versatile tool for addressing core weakness, fall risk, hip and pelvic instability, chronic low back pain, and shoulder dysfunction. And yet, yoga is not being utilized in most rehabilitation programs today.

We know from extensive evidence there are numerous health benefits and functional gains in all patient populations when including yoga with medicine. This training was designed specifically for medical professionals, and you will walk away with an in-depth understanding of the impact on each body system and step-by-step guidance to:

Quickly evaluate postural muscle imbalances and asymmetries
Integrate functional multi-planar movement patterns
Emphasize core activation and breathwork
Apply yoga for the care of specific disorders, diseases, and disabilities

With this modern combination of western medicine and eastern philosophy, you’ll learn highly effective techniques that can be used anytime/anyplace for numerous client populations. This new paradigm moves away from isolated movements and to integrated and functional approaches that reduce pain and improve overall outcomes.

Enable your patients to move from “I have to” exercise to “I want to” with these purposeful movements that are actually FUN. Bonus: we’ll also review today’s best billing/coding practices so that you can be reimbursed as you add this technique into your treatment plans.

Program Information

Objectives

Evaluate research on the benefits of yoga as a tool for healing.
Perform yoga breathing, postures, and exercises as well as relaxation and meditative techniques.
Evaluate the impact of yoga on various systems of the body.
Assess a client or yourself for proper ventilation.
Determine visual, tactile, and auditory treatment exercises that impact breath and body awareness.
Evaluate how the body connects for healthy living using a systems model approach.
Discover How you can get enough information on the body through watching someone walk.

Outline

Beyond the Pose: Physiology of Yoga

Science of Kundalini Yoga
How it can be used as a tool for healing
Gifts, power, and goals of Kundalini Yoga
Research behind using yoga to prevent multiple illnesses/disorders/COVID

Functional Western Anatomy: Impact of Yoga on Various Systems of the Body

Circulatory
Lymphatic
Respiratory
Digestive
Endocrine
Nervous
Musculoskeletal
Immune
Genitourinary

Yogic Anatomy

Ten energy bodies/chakras
The nature of sound
The science of sound
The crucial mind-brain behavior link
Practicing with tuning in mantra

Experiential Lab: Dynamics of Breathing

Breathing anatomy and awareness
Exploring the spine: biomechanics
How the diaphragm connects and supports posture and movement

Experiential Lab: Components of Kundalini Yoga

Learn to tune in/closing song
Warm up exercises
The concept of kriya
- Basic sitting postures
- Basic mudras
Body locks
Focusing—Where do we place our eyes while meditating (Third eye, nose)

Experiential Lab: Energy and the Importance of Prana/Breath

Review of conscious breathing
Long deep breathing
Breath of fire
Alternate nasal breathing
Yogic postures

Targeted Solutions for Many Common Diagnoses and Impairments

Low back pain
Chronic pain
Arthritis
Poor balance or flexibility
Postural misalignments
Strength deficits
Muscle imbalance
ROM limitations
Anxiety/depression
PTSD

Practical Application & Modification of Postures for Special Populations

Pediatrics - Autism
Geriatric clients
COVID long haulers
Neurological issues: Parkinson’s, peripheral neuropathy, TBI, stroke
Special needs clients
Women’s health/pelvic health?
Pre/post-natal?
Post-op

Home Exercise Program and Lifestyle

Yogic diet
How to change a habit
Maximize your reimbursement
Coding and billing updates for yoga rehabilitation
Justify therapy with the right progress measures

Target Audience

Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Athletic Trainers
Activity Professionals/Directors
Recreation Therapists
Osteopathic Doctors
Physicians
Nurse Practitioners
Exercise Physiologists
Personal Trainers
Yoga Instructors
Physical Education Professionals and Coaches
Long Term Care Administrators
Restorative Team members
Clinical Managers
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists
BCBA’s

Copyright : 09/23/2022

Breathing for Performance

Help your patients restore optimal breathing, stay injury free and ultimately perform better with these targeted interventions for LBP, tight hip flexors, neck tension and pelvic floor dysfunction. You’ll unlock new and innovative treatment techniques including manual therapy, cups, kinesiology tape, floss bands, foam rollers and vibration tools. And the best part? This recorded session is experiential – feel the difference as you’re guided through the key strategies that lock in changes long term!

Program Information

Objectives

Compose background knowledge to create confidence in assessing functional and dysfunctional breathing patterns.
Evaluate the psychological and physiological benefits of diaphragmatic breathing related to performance and injury prevention.
Utilize various strategies to facilitate diaphragmatic breathing in your clients.
Inspect breathing strategies commonly used and practiced.
Determine common MSK conditions that are associated with dysfunctional breathing and how to correct them.

Outline

Breathing Foundational Background
- Anatomy of respiratory muscles
- How to quickly assess breathing: diaphragmatic vs. apical
- Why and how breathing can become dysfunctional in healthy individuals
Importance of Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Psychological and physiological benefits of diaphragmatic breathing practices
- Role in athletic environments (psychological and physiological)
- Role in injury prevention
Key Strategies to Facilitate Diaphragmatic Breathing
- The concept of posture stacking
- How the body & brain communicate with each other (body maps)
- Hands-on strategies to facilitate diaphragmatic breathing (hands, pods, floss etc)
- How to lock in change: conscious becomes sub-conscious
Types of Breathing Techniques
- Box Breathing
- Wim Hof Breathing
Common MSK Dysfunctions Associated with Dysfunctional Breathing
- Lower back pain
- Hip flexor tension
- Neck tension / UFT tone
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (SUI vs Urgency)
FAQ and Case Studies

Target Audience

Athletic Trainers
Chiropractors
Massage Therapists
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants

Copyright : 05/12/2022

Harness the Power of Breathing: Combine Breathwork with Movement to Improve Functional Outcomes

Harness the Power of Breathing & Accelerate Therapeutic Gains

Breathing is the most basic and essential physiologic process… yet your standard examinations – focused on range of motion, posture, and balance – have completely overlooked this major player in overall health. With profound physiological effects on health and body mechanics, today’s evidence supports an integrative medicine approach that incorporates breathwork.

Watch Michelle Lindsey, DPT, PT, MBA, to learn all the tools you need to evaluate respiration and combine breathing with functional movement to improve outcomes in low back & neck pain, balance and coordination problems, poor endurance, pelvic floor issues, respiratory issues/long COVID and much more! Discover strategies you can use right away to:

Alleviate pain, reduce stress and tension
Improve posture, cognition, and performance
Increase body awareness & core activation

You’ll gain a clear understanding of the complex functional relationship between the muscles, joints, and fascial lines that enhances clinical decision making. The yogic breathing exercises taught in this course are applicable to a wide variety of patients, and adaptations for various stages of healing from injury and surgical procedures are covered in detail. Discover a systems model approach to treatment that produces lasting results, and learn hands-on, how to teach your clients anywhere, anytime exercises and body awareness skills that will keep them happy, healthy, and out of the clinic.

Program Information

Objectives

Assess client for proper ventilation and identify issues that affect this.
Demonstrate proper breathing techniques that facilitate optimal performance.
Describe how the breath is important for clients with back pain, scoliosis, tonal issues, temporal mandibular joint problems, pelvic floor issues, anxiety, and numerous circulatory and respiratory disorders.
Assess the impact of the core connections and diaphragm on the entire body.
Integrate breathing exercises in treatment of a variety of conditions.
Investigate visual, tactile, and auditory treatment exercises that impact breath and body awareness.

Outline

Importance of Breath in Posture and Overall Function

Who are the best breathers?
Missing links in our standard assessment/ evaluations: breath and vision
Diaphragm & its relationship to the core
The Core= Our Powerhouse
Local vs. global muscles
Considerations for the role of connective tissue
The organ of posture and breath
Systems model approach-medicine today
- Somatic psychology
- Fascial connections
- Acupuncture and acupressure
- Understanding how this model works in therapy today

Utilize an Anatomical Systems Perspective to Evaluate the Core

Circulatory system
Respiratory system
Lymphatic system
Digestive system
Endocrine system
Nervous system
Musculoskeletal system

Systems Model Theory: Yogic Perspective on the Core

The limbs of yogic philosophy
Chakras and meridians- medical vs. yogic model
The navel center (the core) and how to find it
How all of the yogic parts are tools to connect the entire body

Body Awareness – The Core and its Connections

Examining how body parts connect through awareness and knowledge
The Power of the core if activated correctly
Healthy sitting
Musculoskeletal connections
Activation of the core/breath using sensory cues (the brain-body analogy)

Proper Ventilation for Disease Prevention

Understanding the biomechanics of the ventilation system
Lung volumes/capacities-spirometry
Conscious vs. unconscious breathing
Long deep breathing
Breath and vocalization
Nasal breathing

Experiential Lab: Becoming Aware of the Breath

Explore various breathing techniques to help with disease
- Breath of fire
- Cannon breath
- Whistle breath
- Sitali pranayama
- Breath walk
- One minute breath
Teaching clients to breath correctly- ovarian breath, birthday candles
Exercising- stretches, strengthening using the breath correctly (yogic postures)
How to use the breath in a meditation practice

Simple Solutions for Common Dysfunction

Back and neck pain
Balance and coordination problems
Poor endurance
Pelvic floor issues
Long COVID
Hypertonicity
Arthritis
Headaches
Scoliosis
TMJ
Asthma
Hyperventilation

Considerations for Working with Special Populations

Geriatrics
Special needs
Pregnancy
PTSD
Case study - David’s story

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Speech Language Pathologists
Chiropractors
Speech Language Assistants
Athletic Trainers
Activity Professionals/Directors
Recreation Therapists
Osteopathic Doctors
Physicians
Nurse Practitioners
Rehab Nurses
Teachers/Parents
Physicians
Exercise Physiologists
Personal Trainers
Yoga Instructors
Physical Education Professionals and Coaches
Long Term Care Administrators
Restorative Team Members
Clinical Managers
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists
Wellness Coaches

Copyright : 06/16/2023

Targeted Respiratory Training for Pain and Movement Dysfunction

View Dr. Eric Cobb as he introduces respiratory training revealed as an incredibly powerful tool for pain relief, improved performance, lowering stress, improving sleep, and more.

Like all forms of exercise and therapy, personalization is the key that drives improved outcomes. The next question this brings us to is, “how do we develop a personalized, targeted respiratory training program that brings meaningful results?”

The answer lies in understanding the neurology of both voluntary and reflexive breathing. In this session, we will couple respiratory neuroanatomy and neurophysiology with assessments and exercises that provide a practical brain-based approach. A concise framework focused on the ability to quickly evaluate multiple breathing patterns and the ability to reduce pain and movement dysfunction utilizing targeted breathing exercises will be introduced with guaranteed results.

Program Information

Objectives

Investigate fundamental neuroanatomy of voluntary and reflexive breathing.
Appraise current views on the influence of the autonomic nervous system on pain perception.
Construct the 4 categories of respiratory training.
Assess 5 key respiratory exercises and their impact on pain and movement.
Investigate 2 critical respiratory training protocols for pain management.

Outline

Section 1: Neurological Foundations of Breathing
- Introduction
- Respiration Neurology
- 4 Categories of Respiratory Training
Section 2: Pain & Respiration
- The Autonomic Nervous System and Threat/Pain
- Key Concepts of the Threat Neuromatrix
- Practical Implications of Respiratory Training for Pain
Section 3: Breathing for Better Movement
- Biomechanical Considerations
- Respiratory “Cylinder” Training
- Sensory Testing
- Inhalation and Exhalation “Mapping”
Section 4: Respiratory Training for Targeted Brain Activation
- The Brainstem and Respiration
- Targeted Respiratory Exercises
- Constructing Client-Specific Integrated Breathing Exercises

Target Audience

Chiropractors
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Other Rehab Health Professionals

Copyright : 03/04/2022

Bridging the Gap between Yoga and Pelvic Health

You’ve utilized yoga in your personal life and have undoubtedly experienced the benefits...but when it comes to how you incorporate it into your clinical practice, you’ve hit a roadblock.

The benefits of yoga for the female population are unparalleled. Aimee M. Bailey, DPT, RYT-200, PCES is will provide the step-by-step guide to incorporating yoga into your clinical practice. You’ll learn her proven methods and strategies that will help you to:

Confidently address incontinence
Reduce pelvic pain
Strengthen the core
Decrease stress
Increase HEP compliance

On top of all that, these techniques are also a great fit for those patients who say they hate traditional exercise. This session will be experiential – leading you through each pose so that you can perfect the proper alignment and safely transition from one pose to another. This will help deepen your understanding of how each yoga technique engages the body and when to use them.

You'll walk away with the practical tools you need to help guide your clients into a lifestyle that is more active, less stressful and pain free.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate and implement simple yoga poses to improve strength and promote relaxation to improve function in the core and pelvic floor.
Evaluate basic anatomy and function of the pelvic floor in relation to yoga poses and breathwork in order to utilize appropriately in treatment sessions.
Utilize common precautions in yoga poses in order to avoid increasing pain in your patient.

Outline

The Impact of Yoga in Women’s Health

Anatomy of the diaphragm, core, and pelvic floor
Common diagnosis in which yoga is helpful
- Pelvic pain
- Incontinence
- Core weakness

Top 3 Pelvic Health Myths, Busted

It’s all about kegels
Leaking is normal after childbirth and with aging
There’s not much that can be done for pelvic pain

Pranayama – 3 Most Effective Breathing Techniques

Ujjayi breathing
Alternate nostril breathing
Box breathing

Asana – Body Posture to Release, Mobilize, and Strengthen

Poses to engage the pelvic floor muscles
Poses to relax the pelvic floor muscles
How to keep the core engaged
Precautions

Integration: Yoga and Clinical Practice

Implement yoga safely into your treatment sessions
Furthering your knowledge base of yoga

Target Audience

Athletic Trainers
Chiropractors
Exercise Physiologists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Personal Trainers
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Physicians
Physician Assistants
Strength and Conditioning Coaches

Copyright : 05/20/2021

Yoga & Mindfulness for Kids: Techniques to Rebalance the Brain & Nervous System after Covid-19

The onset of the Covid-19 virus has brought many changes to our society that affect children’s bodies, mind and spirit. Children’s physical bodies have become more sedentary and their mental health has been challenged with high stress and anxiety. Integrative Medicine focuses on healing the whole person, including all aspects of our lifestyle.

Children who are balanced in their body and brain do better in school, are more resilient, and feel calmer. Research shows yoga and mediation improves brain functioning, focus, balance, proprioception, the vestibular system, physical strengthening, and sensory desensitization.

In this session, you will learn the Science of Ayurveda which includes, diet, lifestyle, breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. These hands-on treatment modalities help our children manage their nervous system, and physical and emotional pain and bring balance back to mind and spirit.

Program Information

Objectives

Determine the mind body connection and the role of Covid-19 and our immune system for kids and families.
Employ breathwork, meditation and mindfulness techniques to enhance and change the nervous system specific to each child’s diagnosis – specifically stress and anxiety.
Perform restorative and active yoga poses and forms of meditation and breathwork for mind/body change.
Establish a daily lifestyle plan using 3 forms of breathwork, restorative and active yoga poses and meditation for the client and their family.

Outline

Define Integrative Medicine and its role in our healthcare system.

Nervous System of the home, child and parent
Brain and Body Science for stress and anxiety
Biopsychosocial Approach to Medicine

Ayurveda (Definition)

3 Body Constitutions: Vata Pitta, Kapha
Balance vs. Imbalance in body/ mind systems
Diet
Herbal treatments

Meditation (Definition)

Brain science and MRI’s showing brain change with meditation
Types of Meditation for kids and families
- Walking
- Drawing
- Apps and ways to incorporate into daily routine
- Preparing for Sleep

Mindfulness (Definition)

Establishing a routine for the family throughout the day
Changing the words we use and establishing brain techniques for focus, and calm
Working together to bring balance to mind, body and spirit for health and longevity

Yoga (Definition)

Importance of Breath and learn which breath is recommended and what is contraindicated, depending on the diagnosis

Perform all Breath Types and how to use for Self-Regulation; Energizing vs. Calming

“Take 5”
Diaphragmatic
Alternate Nostril
Bee Breath
“HA” Breath
Snake Breath
4 Square Breath

Define Restorative vs. Active Poses

Determine the best pose per diagnosis
Perform poses to increase the following:
- Focus
- Balance
- Eye Hand Coordination
- Strength
- Vestibular System
- Proprioception

Define Covid-19 and anxiety and how it affects kids and parent’s nervous systems

Understand how adrenal fatigue and stress affects the brain and nervous system
Define Trauma and its impact on the brain and the body
Explain why Modulation of the Nervous System is important
Establish the importance of an appropriate diet, daily routine for bowel, and bladder, exercise and sleep
Look at alternative methods like herbs and essential oils, adding to the toolkit

Review a case study of a child with stress and anxiety and sensory processing disorder. Explain the importance of yoga and meditation for treatment for the client and family.

Determine a treatment plan including:
- Bowel/Bladder
- Diet (Brain and Body Nutrients)
  - Gut/Brain Biome
- Breathwork
- Daily Routines for the family
- Active/Restorative Yoga Poses
- Mediation and Mindfulness
- Explain the importance of family commitment for change

Discuss burnout and how integrative techniques can help with selfcare therapists and parents burnout and wellbeing

Science of Burnout
Moral Injury vs. PTSD
Polyvagal theory
Therapist’s and the Parent’s nervous systems healing with the child

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Athletic Trainers
Chiropractors

Clinical Effectiveness of Mindfulness, Meditation and Mindful Movement Strategies for Chronic Pain

Experiencing physical pain is part of life. However, for some, this experience becomes extremely debilitating and persistent. When pain becomes severe enough to significantly impact physical function, mobility and quality of life, these individuals ultimately find their way into our clinics as patients and clients.

Patients arrive with the objective of “fix” and “eliminate” pain. Emphasizing direct treatment and elimination of chronic pain often opens a portal to exhaustion, frustration and even increased pain intensity. The paradigm shift exits in recognition we cannot necessarily control the pain which enters our life; however, we do have control over how we relate to pain. Embracing age old principles of mindfulness and meditation, we have the tools to shift our relationship with chronic, somatic pain. Additionally, mindful movement including Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Yoga further enhance active pain management. This experiential session combines proven methods with modern science to provide a multitude of health and wellness benefits. Allow both body and mind to explore the science of pain relief strategies with immediate clinical application for improved outcomes.

Program Information

Objectives

Gain an overview and understanding of mindfulness and meditation practice and recognize ways it can subjectively change how we relate to our life experiences.
Investigate the power of the mind-body connection and its relevance to how our bodies experience sensations of pain.
Analyze the latest scientific literature of the mechanisms by which mindfulness meditation can alter the ways our bodies perceive pain facilitating increased pain tolerance and quality of life.
Develop proficiency with the use of mindfulness meditation techniques to improve chronic pain management.
Construct the primary health and wellness benefits of mindful movement strategies with current supporting research.
Utilize simple Tai Chi, and Qi Gong mindful movements with immediate clinical application.

Outline

Overview of Mindfulness and Meditation
- Mindlessness vs Mindfulness
- Our Normal Default: Going through life on “auto pilot”
  - Focused on the past or the future rather than the present
- How we can easily comeback into the “present moment”
- Forming a definition of mindfulness
The Power of the Mind-Body Connection and its Influence on Our Subjective Pain Experience
- The Interconnected Nature of Mind and Body
- Distinguishing Between “Pain” and “Suffering”
- Ways in Which Humans Historically Respond to Physical Pain
- Experiential Activity: Body Scan Meditation
Understanding the Mechanisms by Which Mindfulness Meditation Can Alter the Ways Our Bodies Perceive Pain
- The History of Pain and Mindfulness Meditation
- Introducing Jon Kabat-Zinn and MBSR: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- MBSR Principles and Insights
- Overview of Literature Revealing How Meditation Changes the Ways Our Bodies Experience Pain:
  - Understanding Our “Default Mode Network”
  - Different Mechanisms of Action for Pain Attenuation Through Mindfulness
  - Diagnosis Specific Studies
    - Low Back Pain
    - Fibromyalgia
    - Neuropathic Pain
    - Post-Operative Joint Replacement Pain
  - Significance of Acceptance vs Attention in Achieving Pain Relief
Experiencing “Sitting with Our Pain” in Meditation and Then Gaining an Understanding of Why This Can Be So Beneficial
- Experiential Activity: Meditation on the Sensations of Pain
  - Guided Meditation to Work with Chronic Pain Patients
- Tying the Components of a Pain Mediation Together
- Take Home Lessons:
  - What to Know regarding Achieving Optimal Relief of Pain Using Mindfulness Techniques
Exploring Mindful Movement as Complementary Medicine
- Overview of Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong
- The Energy of Tai Chi and Qi Gong
- The 3 Common Characteristics Shared by All Complementary Alternative medicines
  - (CAMS) Interventions:
  - Review of the Current Literature
  - Impact of Specific Mindful Movement Interventions on Common Pain
  - Diagnoses:
    - Back Pain, PTSD, Mental Pain (Anxiety and Depression), Arthritis, Fibromyalgia
Experiencing Mindful Movement Firsthand
- Experiential: Sensing Our Own Life Force Energy
  - Experiencing the Graceful Flow of Tai Chi and Qi Gong Movements
- Reasons to Choose Mindful Movements as Treatment
- Final Thoughts on Interconnected Nature of Body and Mind and Importance of Maintaining a Harmonious Balance

Target Audience

Chiropractors
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Other Rehab Health Professionals

Strengthening the Immune System and Alleviating Pain with Ayurveda and Yoga: Self Care for the Practitioner and Patient

The global pandemic has brought about many changes to society that affect our body, mind, and spirit.

Many have become less physically active, living more sedentary lifestyles. At the same time, high levels of stress and anxiety are affecting mental wellbeing. An unhealthy combination with a multitude of negative physical, mental, and emotional consequences.

Integrative medicine — a lifestyle medicine for prevention and wellness — focuses on healing the whole person and includes all aspects of our lifestyle.

Betsy Shandalov is an Occupational Therapist, certified yoga therapist, Reiki practitioner, and Ayurvedic wellness coach. She will share her tried and true techniques using integrative medicine to treat trauma.

In this experiential session, you’ll learn the science of Ayurveda, including diet, lifestyle, breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga, and how these hands-on treatment modalities help patients manage physical pain and bring balance back to mind and spirit. With a focus on the latest research on the integrative medicine techniques for pain management and building the immune system, you will learn practical techniques to assist you and your patients with ways to maximize health, decrease pain, and increase longevity.

Program Information

Objectives

Describe how Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine can influence pain responses and build our immune system.
Create a daily lifestyle plan to benefit mind, body and spirit for self-care to prevent burnout and to balance the body during the pandemic.
Perform yoga and movement practice and determine 2 ways that it can assist your client with pain and strengthening the immune system.

Outline

Ayurveda as a Treatment Modality

Doshas/body constitutions
Approach to diet, herbs, lifestyle and philosophy
Incorporate yoga, breathwork and meditation
Integrative medicine and wellness/prevention

How the COVID-19 Virus Has Changed Our Body, Mind and Spirit

The impacts of pain on the body, mind and spirit
Resiliency and body mind techniques
Integrative medicine techniques to transform daily routine
Identify signs of burnout for therapists

Experiential Lab: Practice a Daily Routine to Reduce Pain and Build Immunity

Centering techniques for focus
Forms of meditation
Seated and restorative yoga poses
Standing poses for focus and concentration

Target Audience

Athletic Trainers
Chiropractors
Exercise Physiologists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Personal Trainers
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Strength and Conditioning Coaches

Covid Brain: Using Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine to Increase Brain Neuroplasticity for Treatment and Prevention for Adults and Pediatric Patients

COVID Brain… the unfortunate follow-up for many COVID-19 survivors.

Unfortunately, many who have contracted and recovered from COVID-19 are displaying lingering neurological complications, including confusion, headaches, changes in behavior, and even stroke.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to high levels of psychological distress in the general public. Presenting as anxiety, depression, even aggression, this level of stress has caused alterations in the immune system and the brain.

Betsy Shandalov is an Occupational Therapist, certified yoga therapist, Reiki practitioner, and Ayurvedic wellness coach who brings decades of experience using integrative medicine to heal trauma for staff and patients to the forefront to provide tools you can use immediately with your patients.

In this session, Ms. Shandalov will explain how integrative medicine treatments like Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and breathwork can not only encourage brain neuroplasticity for the general population, but also for clients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection. Ms. Shandalov will explain the latest research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its effect on the brain, and how to integrate these age-old traditions into your patients’ treatments.

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate how to help a client change their daily lifestyle and routine using Integrative Medicine with symptoms affecting their brain during and after the pandemic.
Create a customized treatment plan for a client with cognitive dysfunction using Integrative Medicine techniques.
Assess the role of trauma on brain neuroplasticity and formulate 2 examples of how what happens in the body can affect the brain.

Outline

Ayurveda as a Treatment Modality for Neuroplasticity

Doshas/body constitutions
Ayurveda approach to diet, herbs, lifestyle and philosophy
Yoga, breathwork and meditation for cognitive change
Integrative Medicine and its role with COVID-19

Societal Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Brains and Mental Health

Mental Health and its global impact on each person and society
Latest research on brain health
Practicing meditation, seated yoga and breathing for brain health
Ayurveda and its role in increasing brain neuroplasticity

The Role of Trauma and Neuroplasticity

Vagus nerve/polyvagal theory
Adrenal fatigue
Inflammation and stress
COVID-19 vs trauma

Case Study: Client with Anxiety and Depression During the Pandemic
Case Study: Client with Cognitive Dysfunction After COVID-19

How to treat online
Goals to improve neuroplasticity
How our brains change as we work with our clients
Integrative medicine and lifestyle healing for a lifetime

Target Audience

Chiropractors
Exercise Physiologists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Personal Trainers
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Strength and Conditioning Coaches