|
Unlocking the Potential: Optimizing Physical Therapy and the Movement System in Autoimmune Diseases Wednesday, November 5, 2025 6:00-8:00pm Course Description: Approximately one in ten Americans is affected by autoimmune disease, a number rising nationally. These complex conditions affect multiple body systems and significantly impact movement and quality of life. While medications are vital, exercise and lifestyle medicine play an important role, as evidence shows regular activity reduces inflammation and improves patient function. Despite this, many physical therapists still focus primarily on basic mobility exercises, underusing strengthening and aerobic training. This session will review common autoimmune conditions, their effects on the body and movement, and evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation. It will also address the role of pharmacology and its implications for exercise safety. Through case studies and discussion, participants will learn to design safe, effective exercise and lifestyle interventions, aligning clinical practice with current guidelines. By applying these strategies, physical therapists can optimize patient outcomes, expand clinical expertise, and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary care teams. Course Objectives: Following this webinar, the participant will be able to: - Describe symptom patterns for common inflammatory autoimmune diseases and how autoimmunity can affect the body’s systems ability to produce movement.
- Design interventions, including the application of lifestyle medicine, to improve the quality of life of patients with autoimmune diseases.
- Apply considerations for and modifications to rehabilitation concepts to incorporate autoimmunity and pharmacological treatment and craft an appropriately designed and dosed exercise program.
- Learn to consider common related multimorbidities, such as fatigue, chronic pain, post-COVID-19, depression, and cardiopulmonary impairments, into the patient’s rehabilitation plan of care.
Schedule: November 5th 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Presentation and Q&A Speakers: Robin Lee Schroeder, PT Dr. Robin Schroeder currently works as a full-time clinician in the Outpatient Orthopedics and Sports Department at Stanford Healthcare, California. She earned her MPT from the University of Southern California and her transitional DPT from Arcadia University. She has dual clinical specialist board certifications from the APTA in Geriatrics and Orthopedics. She serves as faculty on the Orthopedic Residency Committee at Stanford since 2016, and on the Residency Committee since 2019. Clinically, Robin has worked in Outpatient Orthopedics and Geriatrics, Acute Care, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Cardiac Rehab, Outpatient Organ Transplant, Aquatic Therapy, Lymphedema and Cancer Care. Specializing in the care of the complex older adult patient, Robin is on the faculty of the Certified Expert in Exercise for the Aging Adult, (CEEAA), through the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, and assisted in the development of the Advanced Credentialed Expert in Exercise for the Aging Adult Course. She is the new Hybrid-CEEAA course administrator and is on faculty. Christina M. Wisdom, PT, DPT, EdD Dr. Christina Wisdom is a Visiting Associate Professor at Tufts University - Seattle. She has been a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedics since 2009, and she also has specializations in lymphedema and leadership. Dr. Wisdom's teaching has focused on musculoskeletal conditions, medical conditions, therapeutic interventions, and professionalism and leadership. Clinically, Dr. Wisdom practices at a private outpatient orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapy clinic in Kansas City. Her research has investigated professional and leadership development in physical therapy, relational coordination, and health & wellness. Dr. Wisdom is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Emily Tomlinson, PT, DPT Dr. Emily Tomlinson is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist and adjunct instructor in the Rockhurst DPT program since 2013. She received her Master of Physical Therapy in 2006 and Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2010. She has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics since 2015. Dr. Tomlinson has taught a variety of courses over the years, most recently in the areas of orthopedics and medical conditions. Dr. Tomlinson is a member of the APTA, including the Orthopedics Section and the Kansas Physical Therapy Association. Recommended Reading: None. CEUs: 2.0 contact hours or 0.2 CEUs Instruction Level: Intermediate Format: Live online presentation with Q&A. To Be Recorded: Yes Target Audience: PT, PTA, and Students. Open to all Allied Health Professionals Cost: Registration received by November 5, 2025
$80 Non-Members Cancellation: All cancellation requests must be received in writing – no exceptions. A full refund, less 20% service fee, if cancellation is received before November 3. No refunds on or after November 3, 2025.
|
Print Page
