Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment of Breathing Dysfunction with Dr. Rosalba Courtney ND, DO, PhD

Aeroparc Gilze-Rijen Koffie/thee, lunch & syllabus English

An Integrative Breathing Therapy Approach

Learning Goals (Outcomes)

Understand the parameters and characteristics of functional and dysfunctional breathing
- Understand the role of dysfunctional breathing in common conditions seen in a manual therapy practice
- Understand potential applications of integrative breathing therapy as adjunctive therapy in manual therapy practice
- Understand fundamental concepts of respiratory physiology
- Understand clinically relevant aspects of the functional anatomy of breathing.
- Apply clinical reasoning to assessment of breathing functionality in patients with disordered breathing.
- Utilize a range of musculoskeletal, postural and breathing assessment tools to support treatment precision in breathing retraining
- Understand and apply a range of breathing retraining techniques to optimize breathing, musculoskeletal function and health in patients with diverse conditions.

Topics

Day 1

Theoretical Foundations

Introduction and Overview
- Principles of Integrative Breathing Therapy
- Review the functions, dimensions and bi-directional relationships of breathing
- Relevance of breathing dysfunction and utility of breathing therapy in clinical practice.
- Foundational concepts for healing the breath and healing with the breath
Physiology of the respiratory system
- Overview structure and function of the lungs
- Ventilation
- DiffusionCirculation and ventilation/perfusion
- Control of oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Neural control of breathing
Functional anatomy and mechanics of respiration
- Structure and function of the chest wall
- Primary and secondary muscles of respiration
- Mechanics of the breathing cycle
- Effects of pathologies on mechanics of respiration

Day 2

Clinical Concepts and Assessment

Understand normal and dysfunctional breathing patterns
- Normal breathing pattern characteristics and parameters
- EAARS concept in assessing breathing pattern
- Thoracic, extra-thoracic and laryngeal breathing dysfunctions
Understand symptoms in patients with disordered breathing
- Nijmegen questionnaires and Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire to assess patients with dysfunctional breathing
- Questionnaires for laryngeal breathing disorders
Musculoskeletal consequences of breathing pattern disorders,
- posture,
- motor control and spinal stability
- spinal pain
- pelvic floor dysfunctions
Fluid dynamics and breathing pattern disorders
- Lymphatics
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Cardiovascular- homeostatic cardiorespiratory reflexes
Postural evaluation and muscle testing techniques for upper and lower airway dysfunction
Breathing pattern evaluation
- Hi Lo
- Breathing Pattern Assessment Tool
- Manual Assessment of Respiratory Motion (MARM)

Day 3

Treatment Approaches and Techniques

Retraining breathing –
- Motor pattern training
- Respiratory neuroplasticity training,
- Respiratory muscles strengthening strategies utilizing inspiratory and expiratory resistance.
Breathing techniques to support homeostatic rhythms and oscillations
- Resonance frequency breathing
- Bottom up techniques to increase venous return and vagal afferents
- Using top down cognitive strategies to regulate the central autonomic network
Breathing techniques to support lymphatics and cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

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Biography

Dr. Rosalba Courtney is an accomplished osteopath, naturopath, and breathing practitioner with over 40 years of clinical experience. She earned her PhD from RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia), focusing on the measurement and treatment of dysfunctional breathing. Dr. Courtney has extensively published in scientific journals and contributed chapters to several books, showcasing her deep interest in the intersection of ancient breathing practices and modern scientific research.

Dr. Courtney is renowned for synthesizing complex scientific literature into practical, clinically relevant insights for clinicians. Her ongoing research and dedication to education continue to influence and shape the field of breathing therapy and osteopathy.

Research and Contributions

Dr. Courtney’s research explores the psychological, physiological, and biochemical aspects of breathing. She developed a multidimensional model of breathing functionality and a range of assessment tools and clinical protocols for breathing therapies.

Professional Involvement

She is an active member of numerous professional organizations:

Osteopathic Research Alliance (ORA)
Osteopathy Australia (OA)
Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
International Society for the Advancement of Respiratory Psychophysiology (ISARP)

Professional Achievements

Publications: Authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters on breathing and airway function.
Conferences and Presentations: Frequent speaker at national and international conferences.
Mentorship: Actively involved in the research and mentoring of osteopathic students.
Training Programs: Conducts training programs for practitioners in Integrative Breathing Therapy worldwide.

Selected Journal Publications

Novel Respiratory Therapy for the Improvement of Post COVID Condition Symptoms: A Case Series (2023) – Journal of Voice.
Alleviating Sleep Apnea Employing Neuroplastic Breath Training: A Review of the Science (2023) – Clinical and Experimental Psychology.
Functional Nasal Breathing Rehabilitation: Effectiveness and Feasibility of an Online Integrative Breathing Therapy Protocol (2022) – International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy.
Breathing training for dysfunctional breathing in asthma: taking a multidimensional approach (2017) European Respiratory Journal

The importance of correct breathing for raising healthy good looking children (2013).Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.

Evaluation of Breathing Pattern: Comparison of a manual assessment of respiratory motion (MARM) and respiratory induction plethysmography (2008).” Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
Functions and dysfunctions of breathing and their relationship to breathing therapy. 2009 International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

Preliminary Investigation of a measure of dysfunctional breathing symptoms: the Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ).(2009)” International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

Books and Book Chapters

Management of Respiratory Dysfunction, in Textbook of Osteopathic Medicine (2018).
Buteyko Breathing Method, in Recognizing and Treating Breathing Disorders (2014).