The Alignment Connection: Starting at the Surface
Pediatric physical therapist Sheri Ireland-Berk shows how the feet, pelvis, spine, rib cage, breathing, and core work together. A two-part webinar series for pediatric therapists.
Children don’t move in isolated body parts. The Alignment Connection explores how the feet, pelvis, spine, rib cage, breathing, and core work together, through a pediatric lens, and helps therapists look beyond an isolated impairment to consider the child’s whole movement system.
Using Half Rounds, the Air Bolster Mini, the Air Barrel, and the Tumbl Trak, Sheri demonstrates how clinicians can manipulate the movement environment to explore these connections. Part 1 focuses on alignment, breathing, and core; Part 2 on balance, gait, and motor planning.
The goal is not a “perfect” posture or alignment. The goal is to help children develop more movement options, better postural control, and the ability to adapt their bodies to the demands of the activity.
Who this is for
Pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other clinicians who work with children on posture, alignment, and gross motor skills.
Sessions
Part 1: Alignment, Breathing, and Core
Foot and lower-extremity alignment, pelvic and spinal organization, rib-cage mobility, breathing and postural control, and core and pressure management.
Part 2: Balance, Gait, and Motor Planning
Balance and proprioception, gait and transitional movement, jumping and landing, motor planning, movement variability, and functional play.
About Sheri Ireland-Berk, PT
Sheri earned her physical therapy degree from Ithaca College and has been a pediatric physical therapist for more than 35 years. She has certifications and extensive training and experience with dynamic serial casting, NDT, intensive therapy, pelvic health and pelvic floor therapy, gait analysis and training, orthotic management, aquatic therapy, brachial plexus and CMT, and infant massage and bodywork. Sheri is extremely passionate about empowering children of all ages and abilities.
