2025 Spring Conference:Made in Montana: Physical Therapy CEs for the Modern PT
When: 4/26/2025
Where:
RiverStone Health LAC (Lil Anderson Center) Building
2626 1st Ave S, Billings, MT 59105
8 Hours (1 day)
Room Block, meeting site location, discounts, and member meeting luncheon information can be found by scrolling down below.
If you are registering a member, and you find the selection does not give you member pricing, please log in with the email we have on file for you. This will recognize you as a member. If that doesn't work, feel free to call or email and we will find the problem and fix.
Agenda
Saturday, April 26, 2025
8:00am - 10:00am No Specialist? No Problem! Fundamentals in Pelvic Health for Every PT Practice, Stephanie Weyrauch, PT, DPT, MSCI
10:10am - 12:10pm Imaging Referell for PTs - Foundations, Decisions, Documentation, presented by Audrey Elias, DPT, PhD
12:20- 1:50pm: APTA Montana Membership Meeting and Luncheon
2:00 - 4:00pm: Partnering with Employers for Workplace Solutions: Ergonomics and Injury Prevention, Tom Little, PT, DPT, CEAS
4:10 - 6:10: Less is More: Unlocking Common Protective Patterns with Pilates, Sam Schmidt, PT, MPT, NCPI
About the courses:
8-10am: No Specialist? No Problem! Fundamentals in Pelvic Health for Every PT Practice, Stephanie Weyrauch, PT, DPT, MSCI
Course Description:
This full-day course provides physical therapists across specialties with foundational knowledge in pelvic health, empowering them to confidently integrate pelvic considerations into their practice. Designed for PTs in outpatient, inpatient, orthopedic, and neurological settings, the course covers key topics such as pregnancy and postpartum care, prehab and rehab for cesarean delivery, and acute postpartum treatment. Participants will also explore the role of pelvic health in managing conditions like low back pain, hip dysfunction, constipation, and gastrointestinal issues. Through hands-on labs, case studies, and practical tools, attendees will leave with essential skills to screen for pelvic floor dysfunction, recognize when to refer to a pelvic health specialist, and deliver targeted interventions within their scope of practice.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Integrate Pelvic Health Concepts into Practice:
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Understand the relevance of pelvic health to common conditions such as low back pain, hip dysfunction, and bowel/bladder complaints and incorporate pelvic considerations into treatment plans for patients across settings.
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Recognize red flags requiring referrals to pelvic health specialists, gynecologists, or urologists.
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Pregnancy and Postpartum Care:
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Provide education and prehabilitation strategies for patients preparing for vaginal or cesarean delivery, including strengthening and pelvic floor relaxation techniques.
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Implement postpartum interventions for C-section and vaginal delivery recovery, addressing scar management, diastasis recti, pelvic pain, and incontinence.
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Acute and Inpatient Care Post-Birth
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Identify and treat common postpartum conditions such as urinary retention, constipation, and pelvic pain in the acute care setting.
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Learn safe mobilization techniques and basic exercises to initiate post-birth recovery.
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Screen and Manage Pelvic Health in Orthopedic and Neuro Patients:
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Perform screenings for pelvic floor dysfunction and related issues in patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints, especially chronic low back or hip pain.
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Understand how neurological conditions (e.g., spinal cord injuries, stroke) affect pelvic health and bladder/bowel function, and tailor interventions accordingly
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About the Speaker
Dr. Stephanie Weyrauch is a physical therapist at MovementX, delivering high-quality, concierge care directly to clients--whether at home, work, or the gym--on their schedule. With one-on-one, personalized attention, minimal wait times, and ongoing support between visits, MovementX offers a level of care beyond the rushed, frustrating experience often found in traditional healthcare.
Dr. Weyrauch earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation from Washington University in St. Louis. She specializes in pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapy, helping people of all ages--including moms and women navigating pregnancy or perimenopause--feel their best.
In addition to clinical work, Dr. Weyrauch serves as Chair of the American Physical Therapy Association Nominating Committee and has participated in multiple national task forces for the organization. She has conducted scientific research through grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation at institutions including Stanford University and Washington University in St. Louis. Her research on movement patterns and outcomes in individuals with and without low back pain has been featured in local, regional, and national presentations, and published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a leading journal in the field of rehabilitation.
Dr. Weyrauch's clinical expertise has been highlighted by prominent media outlets, including NPR, Kaiser Health News, NBC News, Glamour, and Self. She is also a sought-after speaker and consultant on topics such as burnout, workplace injury prevention, and generational issues. In addition, she co-hosts the popular Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, a top-rated show with over 10 million downloads, offering insights into healthcare, business, and personal growth.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband, Deland, and their two daughters, Zara and Vivienne . Together, they love exploring local coffee shops, trying new restaurants, and discovering new hiking trails around Billings.
Dr. Weyrauch earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation from Washington University in St. Louis. She specializes in pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapy, helping people of all ages--including moms and women navigating pregnancy or perimenopause--feel their best.
In addition to clinical work, Dr. Weyrauch serves as Chair of the American Physical Therapy Association Nominating Committee and has participated in multiple national task forces for the organization. She has conducted scientific research through grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation at institutions including Stanford University and Washington University in St. Louis. Her research on movement patterns and outcomes in individuals with and without low back pain has been featured in local, regional, and national presentations, and published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a leading journal in the field of rehabilitation.
Dr. Weyrauch's clinical expertise has been highlighted by prominent media outlets, including NPR, Kaiser Health News, NBC News, Glamour, and Self. She is also a sought-after speaker and consultant on topics such as burnout, workplace injury prevention, and generational issues. In addition, she co-hosts the popular Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, a top-rated show with over 10 million downloads, offering insights into healthcare, business, and personal growth.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband, Deland, and their two daughters, Zara and Vivienne . Together, they love exploring local coffee shops, trying new restaurants, and discovering new hiking trails around Billings.
10:15am - 12:15pm: Imaging Referell for PTs - Foundations, Decisions, Documentation, presented by Audrey Elias, DPT, PhD
Course Description:
This past year, the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners confirmed that referring for imaging is within the scope of practice for physical therapists in Montana. Along with the celebration and recognition of a job well-done, however, can come some level of anxiety - for a lot of us, it's been a long time since we learned about imaging, and as a profession we have become understandably skeptical of imaging. This course will start with a review of imaging foundations, then explore not just the decision-making process of when to refer for imaging, but also the nuts and bolts of how, and to whom, and what detail to include, all through real-life cases and discussion.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the benefits and drawbacks of the most common imaging modalities
- For a given case, assess the need for imaging as well as appropriate referral pathways
- For a given case and for the participant's own community, create an appropriate written referral for imaging
About the Speaker
Dr. Audrey Elias completed her DPT at the University of Montana School of Physical Therapy in 2009 and her orthopedic residency with Therapeutic Associates in 2011 before returning to UMPT in 2012 to begin her PhD program with Dr. Ryan Mizner. She completed her doctoral work in 2015, teaching in the program as an adjunct professor before joining the core faculty as a clinical physical therapy instructor in 2017. In her work with UMPT, Audrey was a lead instructor throughout the didactic program, including the introductory imaging content, as well as a clinical preceptor for the Integrated Clinical Experience and clinician in the UMPT Clinic. As of January of this year, Audrey is an assistant professor in the Tufts-Boston hybrid DPT program faculty.
2:00 - 4:00pm: Partnering with Employers for Workplace Solutions: Ergonomics and Injury Prevention, presented by Tom Little, PT, DPT, CEAS
Course Description:
This course is designed for professionals seeking to enhance understanding of various direct-to-employer services which improve workplace safety, optimize performance, and reduce injury-related costs through proactive solutions. Participants will explore key strategies for work-related injury prevention and management, including OSHA First Aid, ergonomic assessments, and functional job descriptions.
The course also introduces the process of becoming a certified Department of Transportation (DOT) examiner, offering an exciting new avenue for physical therapists to support workforce health and compliance in Montana. Through engaging discussions, practical tools, and real-world applications, attendees will leave equipped to partner effectively with employers in creating safer, healthier, and more productive work environments.
The course also introduces the process of becoming a certified Department of Transportation (DOT) examiner, offering an exciting new avenue for physical therapists to support workforce health and compliance in Montana. Through engaging discussions, practical tools, and real-world applications, attendees will leave equipped to partner effectively with employers in creating safer, healthier, and more productive work environments.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Injury Management: Learn how to leverage OSHA-compliant first aid practices to reduce workplace injuries.
- Ergonomics: Identify workplace hazards, conduct ergonomic assessments, and apply findings to modify work habits and workstations to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
- Functional Job Descriptions: Develop foundational understanding of functional job descriptions (purpose, design, uses) to enhance workplace safety.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Examinations: Understand the requirements and benefits of DOT certification
About the Speaker
Tom Little, PT, DPT, CEAS is a physical therapist specializing in orthopedic, repetitive stress, and work-related injuries. Based in Bozeman, MT, Tom provides care at APRS Physical Therapy and is the co-owner of Move First Ergonomics, LLC, where he partners with Montana's industrial employers to deliver innovative onsite injury prevention, management, and ergonomic solutions. With experience in creating direct-to-employer service models, Tom has expanded the role of physical therapists in workplace safety and injury prevention. Tom frequently collaborates with the Montana and national American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to advance the profession. Most recently, as Montana's Occupational Health Special Interest Group (OHSIG) State Resource Liaison, he spearheaded the successful initiative to recognize physical therapists as medical examiners authorized to perform Department of Transportation (DOT) Examinations in Montana. Tom continues to champion safer, healthier work environments while empowering organizations to thrive.
4:10 - 6:10pm: Less is More: Unlocking Common Protective Patterns with Pilates, Sam Schmidt, PT, MPT, NCPI
Course Description:
Get a sample of what Pilates based rehab can offer your practice and feel its benefits for your patients. This dynamic 2-hour workshop explores common protective patterns seen daily in the clr motor control, pain management, and protection. All levels of PTs are welcome, from new grads to seasoned professionals -- come ready to move, play and learn new tricks for Monday morning in the clinic!
Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify common protective movement patterns and their underlying causes.
- Learn effective cueing, prop usage, and exercise variations to address these patterns.
- Apply these techniques immediately in your practice to help patients move with greater ease and less effort
About the Speaker
Sam Schmidt, PT, MPT, NCPI, brings over 20 years of Pilates-based rehab expertise and a passion for playful movement to this course. As a nationally renowned Balanced Body Pilates Master Instructor, Sam's sport and spine-focused practice is built on a foundation of Pilates principles and equipment. Sam is co-owner of Alpine Physical Therapy in Missoula MT, is the current Vice President of APTA-MT, and when she is not treating patients or advocating for Physical Therapy she can be found around the fire, on the river, or in the mountains with her husband and two kids.
Provisions:
Provisions include coffee/tea in the morning and lunch at the business meeting. Snacks are not served at breaks.
Accommodations and Meeting Sites:
Please note the lodging and the meeting site are in two places:
- Room block:
- Main Hotel: Northern Hotel, $149+ (King) and $169+ (2 Queens). Number to call TBA. Block expires on March 24, 2025
- Montana Trailhead Inn, 406.248.7701, please request the APTA MT Room Block at a rate of $119+tax. This block expires on March 24, 2025.
- Meeting Site: River Stone Health, address, room and parking info TBA
Committees and Board Meeting
April 25, 2025:
6:00 - 8:00pm Board Meeting. Guests are welcome to attend, please contact the office to RSVP.
Member Business Meeting
Business meeting and elections will be held at noon on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the CE site. Lunch is included for those registered for the course. Please RSVP if you are not registered (you may register online for this without paying). Please send agenda items to the office or President Emily Herndon by April 5, 2025. Final agenda will be posted in the members only section at www.aptamt.com by April 16, 2025.
Cancellation Policy
APTA MT reserves the right to refuse/cancel an event registration. If ATPA MT refuses a registration, registrants will be offered a full refund.
Registration Cancellation by Participant:
Cancellations will be accepted in writing via email or mail. A $25.00 administration fee will be withheld when cancellation occurs up to ten days prior to the start of the event; 50% refund if cancelled 2-10 days prior; 25% refund if cancelled 0-1 day prior.
Discounts:
Group Discounts:
10% Discount for 3 or more APTA Member PTs/PTAs from one clinic. Fees for all persons must be made with one payment. No exceptions. Credit will not be provided at a later date. Combining discounts (ie Lifetime AND Group) is not applicable. If you need to take advantage of this, call us for a group code to pay online, or mail in your check with participant names.
Student Discounts:
Students may take this course at a rate discounted by 50% of the member and non-member rate, if there is space available prior to the start of the course. This course is a laboratory class with limited space, and therefore we must limit the spaces available at the student rate. If you are a student and would like to attend if we do have extra room for this course, please register for the student waitlist. APTA MT will notify you one week prior to start of the course to offer you a space in the course, if available.
Lifetime Member:
Lifetime members may take any non-limited seating, APTA MT sponsored CE at 50% discount. Combining discounts (ie Lifetime AND Group) is not applicable. If you need to take advantage of this, call us for a group code to pay online, or mail in your check with participant names.