Advanced Postpartum Massage for Lactation Support
Manual Therapy Techniques for the Breastfeeding body
This 8-hour course is intended for OT, PT, LMT, and RN/IBCLC.
Gain a strong foundation for the application of numerous tools and modalities to support breast health.
Ready to get started?
Learning Objectives for Breast Massage CE course:
- Examine differences between normal and abnormal anatomy typically seen in birthing bodies
- Identify benefits and contraindications of hands-on modalities for birthing bodies based on the available literature
- Identify basic and advanced massage strokes applicable to clients based on findings of assessment
- List 5 hands-on modalities to address musculoskeletal symptoms resulting from breastfeeding/chestfeeding posture and positioning
- Identify aspects of clear, concise treatment documentation that follows legal and ethical requirements
- Summarize trauma-informed techniques used for clients who may have experienced birth trauma
HERE'S WHAT'S INSIDE
RECORDED VIDEO Lessons
PDF Downloads
Recources
Let's Look Inside the Course
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this bodywork course so you can make an informed decision and expand your bodywork skillset. Take your time — you have access to this self-paced course for 6 months. You’ll learn a variety of techniques under the umbrella of “bodywork” and can incorporate them into your sessions as you see fit.
Module One: 25 minutes
Course Introduction
- Introduction
- Disclosures
Module two: 1 hour 40 minutes
Foundational Knowledge: Anatomy Review
- Head and neck
- Back and chest
- Breast
Module three: 1 hour 58 minutes
Overview of Interventions
- Manual Therapy
- Literature Review
- Contraindications
Module four: 2 hours 7 minutes
Techniques
- Basic hands-on techniques
- Advanced techniques
- Breast massage
Module five: 53 minutes
Special Topics
- Thermal techniques
- Kinesiotape
- Ultrasound
- Dry needling
- Myofascial decompression (dry cupping)
- TENS
Module six: 56 minutes
Course Summary
- Wrap-up
- Documentation
If you’ve been wanting to add more manual therapy techniques to support mothers, this course is for you.
Course Instructor
Emily Knell Spaeth
PT, DPT, CNT, LMT, TIP, NTMTC, CBS, IBCLC, RPYT
Dr. Emily Spaeth grew up in Oakland, California where she started her career in the world of babies working in a nursery at the age of 12. Emily studied sociology and music in undergrad at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Her thesis examined yoga as a ‘third place’ and it seemed only natural to pursue a career as a yoga teacher (RPYT). After training with Prajna Yoga in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she returned to the pacific northwest to attend East West College of the Healing Arts for massage therapy school. Ever-inspired, she had to learn more.
After opening her first business in 2012, which blended yoga and bodywork, she started the journey of taking prerequisites for a doctoral program in physical therapy. Emily graduated from Samuel Merritt University in her hometown with a degree as a doctor of physical therapy (DPT), and specialized as a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT) in a level IV NICU, where she has created training for healthcare professionals in the hospital system in providing age-appropriate, trauma-informed neuro-developmental care. She brings years of experience as a licensed massage therapist (LMT) to her physical therapy practice and is a certified neonatal touch and massage therapist (NTMTC), and Advanced Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT II). She has continued her studies in pelvic floor physical therapy studying Holistic Pelvic Care™ and Pelvic Floor Yoga™.
She finally found her calling when she started blending lactation support with physical therapy, yoga, and bodywork, in her business Be Well Baby PDX and is now an IBCLC. Her business helps to support families pre-conception through postpartum.
She loves to empower caregivers, and as a Certified Trauma Informed Professional (TIP), she weaves her passion for trauma informed care throughout all interactions with her small patients and their families, especially in the context of breastfeeding or chestfeeding. Finally, Emily enjoys hiking, baking, and snuggling with her own kids.
Instructor Disclosures
AOTA Approved Provider & IBLCE Long-Term Provider
Enroll NowFrequently Asked Questions
Who is this parent bodywork course intended for?
- Occupational therapy practitioners (OT and COTA)
- Physical therapy practitioners (PT and PTA)
- IBCLC with RN or other full-body scope of practice
- SLP with prior bodywork coursework
- Other providers that may benefit from this material would be those with a full-body scope of practice such as LMT, MD/DO, NP/PA, or DC
Are there prerequisites for this course?
Beyond the professional licensure, there are no required prerequisites. If you have questions, send an email to [email protected].
Can I count this course towards my 90 hours of lactation-specific education?
Absolutely! This course is approved for 8.0 L-CERPs.
To receive credit for completion, the course must be completed with 100% watch time and each participant will need to complete a post-assessment with a passing score of at least 80% to ensure all learning objectives are met.
Information about AOTA CEUs
This course is approved for 0.8 AOTA CEUs for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Participants will be required to:
- Complete the course in its entirety (100% of the course watched)
- Complete a multiple-choice post-assessment with a passing score of at least 80% (untimed test)
Information about CEUs for Physical Therapists
You will need to check with your individual state for online course requirements. To best prepare you can save the following:
- The certificate of completion that will be provided
- List of references
- A copy of the assessment questions
Information about ASHA CEUs
This course will not have CEUs directly submitted to ASHA. You will receive a certificate of completion and can use the CEUs towards the 30 PDHs required for each 3-year certification.
How long will I have access to this course?
6 months from the purchase date.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Refunds must be requested within 14 days of purchase by emailing [email protected]. A full refund is available if no modules have been started. A partial refund is available once ANY portion of the course has been viewed. The amount refunded is at the sole discretion of The Lactation OT LLC. There is no refund available after 14 days of purchase OR if the one module limit has been met. Recipients will receive acknowledgment of refund requests within 3 business days. If the request is valid per the terms listed above, the refund will be processed within 7 business days. If for any reason the course is canceled by The Lactation OT before the course is started, a full refund will be provided.
How do I request special accommodation?
Please send us an email at [email protected] at least 14 days before starting the course with further details of your request.
Maternal Health Bundle (17.25 hours)
- Maternal Health Foundations: Supporting Birth, Breastfeeding, and Postpartum Recovery
- A Holistic Approach to Supporting Sleep for Breastfeeding Dyads
- Advanced Postpartum Massage for Lactation Support
Ready to get started?
No generic sequences of strokes or cookie-cutter techniques — you’ll be able to provide client-centered, responsive treatments and improved clinical reasoning.
