Did you know that HWConnect will feature several Breakout sessions where you can receive hands-on learning from HW faculty?

These Breakouts include:

• Rehabilitative Ultra Sound Imaging of the Bladder and Transverse Abdominis with Allison Ariail, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, PRPC
• Inclusive Care Roleplay Workshop with Ken McGee, PT, DPT
• Squat Analysis Lab with Brianna Durand, PT, DPT
• Acupressure: Self-Regulation Acupoints with Rachna Mehta, PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RTY 200
• The Pelvic Rehab Provider’s Role in Infant Care: Managing Reflux, Constipation, and Colicky Babies with Mora Pluchino, PT, DPT, PRPC

On top of this, our Vendor Hall is PACKED! Starting with our event sponsor, CMT. Their booth will include shockwave, and Stacey Roberts will be on hand to demo this modality and answer any questions.

Does this scenario sound familiar? You are treating a patient with chronic pelvic pain who isn’t responding to conventional treatments. Maybe you are working with a client who has a prolapse, but no matter what you do, nothing is helping. You’ve tried everything and the underlying cause has you stumped.

You’re not alone. Dr. Julie Baron discusses the diagnosis of what is now known as Pelvic Venous Disorders (PeVD) in this short interview and explains how it is missed every day. "We aren’t taught about it in school or in our continuing education. The concepts that are taught center around outdated research and misleading terms like “Pelvic Congestion Syndrome” that can negatively impact diagnostic imaging selection, treatment, and overall patient outcomes."

Up to 30% of people with chronic pelvic pain have PeVD, yet the average time to diagnosis can take years simply because providers just don’t know any better. One of the biggest risk factors for the development of PeVD is pregnancy. Who better to screen for and identify this often-overlooked condition than you — a pelvic PT/OT?

Continuing education is a crucial investment for medical professionals. Not only are CEUs required to maintain your practitioner's license, but staying updated with the latest knowledge and skills is essential for career growth. One effective way to manage the cost and convenience of ongoing learning is by purchasing pre-paid course credits. Here’s why investing in pre-paid course credits can be a strategic move for your professional development.

1. Cost Savings and Budgeting Benefits
One of the most compelling reasons to purchase pre-paid credits is the financial advantage. Herman & Wallace offers special pricing when you buy credits in bulk. Instead of paying per course at a potentially higher rate, you can secure your learning at a lower cost. This approach also helps in budgeting your professional development expenses for the year, ensuring that you allocate funds efficiently.

2. Encourages Consistent Learning
With pre-paid credits, you are more likely to commit to ongoing education. Having credits available removes the financial barrier that might otherwise cause hesitation when enrolling in a course. Instead of deliberating over each purchase, you can quickly register for courses and continue learning without interruption.

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), defined as pain persisting for more than three months, affects approximately 20% of adults worldwide, with a higher prevalence among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. The economic burden of CNCP is substantial, exceeding that of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in countries like the United States. Beyond the financial implications, CNCP significantly impacts individuals' quality of life, leading to absenteeism, loss of productivity, and increased healthcare utilization.

Traditionally, CNCP management has focused on pharmacological interventions and physical therapies. However, emerging evidence underscores the importance of a holistic, person-centered approach that addresses various lifestyle factors, including nutrition. Healthy eating patterns are associated with reduced systemic inflammation, as well as lower risk and severity of chronic non-cancer pain and associated comorbidities.

Persisting low-grade systemic inflammation is associated with CNCP and multiple comorbid chronic health conditions. Diet plays a complex role in modulating systemic inflammation. Knowledge is expanding rapidly in this area and multiple links between diet and inflammation have been identified. Metabolic mechanisms associated with postprandial hyperglycemia and frequent and prolonged rises in plasma insulin levels, influenced by dietary intake, can produce systemic inflammation.

Kathleen D. Gibson, MD, Rachna Mehta PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200, and Mora Pluchino, PT, DPT, PRPC are joining our esteemed lineup of speakers and session leaders for HWConnect 2025 scheduled for March 28-30, 2025. Their expertise and unique approaches to healthcare will provide invaluable insights for all attendees.

Kathleen D. Gibson, MD: Pelvic Venous Disease (PeVD) and Chronic Pelvic Pain
Dr. Gibson will be presenting "Pelvic Venous Disease (PeVD) and Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment." This topic is critical for understanding the complexities of pelvic venous disease, a common yet often underdiagnosed condition that can cause chronic pelvic pain. Dr. Gibson’s presentation will delve into the latest diagnostic methods and treatment options available for PeVD, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for optimal patient care. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or patient advocate, this session will provide practical insights that can make a real difference in your practice.

Rachna Mehta PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200: Acupressure Self-Regulation Acupoints
Dr. Mehta, a highly experienced physical therapist and integrative medicine practitioner, will lead a breakout session on Acupressure Self-Regulation Acupoints. This hands-on session will introduce participants to powerful acupressure techniques designed to promote healing, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Attendees will learn how to use acupressure for self-regulation, a simple and effective tool to manage pain, anxiety, and other health concerns. Dr. Mehta’s expertise in integrating physical therapy with traditional healing practices makes this a session you won’t want to miss.

A pessary is a device that is placed in the vaginal canal to support the pelvic organs. They can be worn only during an activity that typically provokes symptoms, such as running, or used almost continuously with periodic cleaning. People looking to avoid or delay pelvic organ prolapse surgery, such as those planning to give birth, may especially benefit from pessary use. Many transgender and nonbinary people with a front canal also find pessary use helpful for reducing POP symptoms.

Pessaries have additional benefits beyond improving prolapse symptoms. For example, some pessaries are designed to mitigate urinary incontinence by applying pressure to the urethra (1). A 2024 study even indicated that they may improve sexual wellness in people with pelvic organ prolapse (2). One case study series suggests that intersex people who have undergone vaginoplasty or neovaginoplasty may also benefit from pessary use for maintaining the patency of the canal (5).

Traditionally in the United States, pessaries have been placed by medical professionals rather than rehabilitation professionals (although some PTs at the Veterans Affairs were involved in fitting pessaries under the guidance of urogynecologists). In 2021, the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health convened a Pessary Task Force to look at the feasibility of physical therapists fitting and managing pessaries. In 2022, the Academy of Pelvic Health released its position statement to include pessary fitting and management in the scope of practice of pelvic health physical therapists in the United States and its five territories. By the end of 2022, the Academy of Pelvic Health hosted its first pessary fitting course. Several more courses have been offered since then. Physical therapists specialize in showing clients how to tend to and support their bodies. Active participation in pessary fitting and management is a way to help the nearly 40% of people with vaginal canals who are expected to develop pelvic organ prolapse. 

Did you know that Ramona Horton is going to be speaking at HWConnect in March? Her lecture is titled, “The Do Not Miss List: What many pelvic rehab therapists overlook." I don’t know about you, but we’re pretty excited to hear what she has to say and to learn from the best!

So, who is Ramona C. Horton MPT, DPT?
Ramona completed her graduate training in the US Army–Baylor University Program in Physical Therapy in San Antonio, TX. She exited the army at the rank of Captain and applied her experience with the military orthopedic population in the civilian sector as she developed a growing interest in the field of pelvic dysfunction and received her post-professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ. In 2020, Ramona received the prestigious Academy of Pelvic Health Elizabeth Noble Award for her contributions to the field of pelvic health.

Ramona is the lead therapist for her clinic's pelvic dysfunction program in Medford, OR where her practice focuses on the treatment of urological, gynecological, and colorectal issues. Ramona has completed advanced studies in manual therapy with an emphasis on spinal manipulation, and visceral and fascial mobilization.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to prioritize what truly matters. Join us March 28-30 at HWConnect in Seattle, WA to discover the power of networking, learning, and growth as we come together to celebrate the gift of connecting to one another. At Herman & Wallace, we believe that connection is the heart and soul of meaningful relationships, personal growth, and professional opportunities.

Networking opportunities throughout the event allow attendees to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and build lasting relationships. Through structured networking sessions, informal social gatherings, and interactive activities, attendees will be able to expand their professional network and form meaningful connections with others in their industry. These networking opportunities are a highlight of HWConnect and create a supportive and collaborative environment where new friendships are formed, and partnerships can be forged.

Keynote speakers and topics include Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, RCMT, BCB-PMD lecturing on the “Development of Continence Through The Lens of The Diaphragm, Ribcage, and Pelvic Floor;” Nancy Norton, RN discussing “The Power of Humor for Pelvic Healers,” and Leticia Nieto, PsyD, LMFT, TEP who will be delving into “Trauma Responsive Care for Those We Work With and for Us.”

Pessaries and Pelvic Rehab includes 6 hours of pre-course video lectures that cover relevant pelvic anatomy, types of prolapse, indications and contraindications for prolapse, and medical-legal considerations for pessary fitting. The in-person portion will include labs on advanced POP assessment and assessment of vaginal dimensions, as well as provide participants the opportunity to fit various pessary types under the supervision of an instructor.

This two-day in-person course is targeted to pelvic therapists who are interested in adding pessary fitting to their clinical practice and have completed Pelvic Function Level 1 and Level 2B.

Attendees will:

If you haven’t registered yet then consider this your personal invitation to join us at HWConnect 2025 in beautiful Seattle, Washington. Take advantage of this golden opportunity to network, learn, and expand your toolkit. The conference will be here before you realize it – and tickets are limited! PLUS, if you register now, you can reserve your room at a special discounted rate. 

FRIDAY  SPEAKER LINEUP
Ramona Horton, MPT, DPT - "The Do Not Miss List: What many pelvic rehab therapists overlook"
Ramona Horton, MPT, DPT developed and instructs the visceral and fascial mobilization courses for HW and frequently presents at local, national, and international venues – including International Pelvic Pain Society, CSM and HWConnect- on topics relating to women’s health, pelvic floor dysfunction, and manual therapy.