Physical Therapy – For Physical Therapists

To maintain mobility, flexibility and quality of life, it is crucial that physical therapy routines occur regularly

Physical therapy can make all the difference in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Physical therapy for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is unique and requires specific knowledge of the disorder to provide appropriate treatment.  Treating a patient with Duchenne or Becker without the proper understanding of the disease puts the patient at risk of further muscle damage and function loss.   When applied correctly, physical therapy treatment has the potential to improve the lives and slow the progression of some of the disease impairments.  CureDuchenne welcomes you to use our programs and resources to stay up to date with standard treatment.

CureDuchenne Physical Therapy Program

CureDuchenne offers a high level program of educational opportunities and resources for physical therapists and allied healthcare professionals who treat those with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.  Our goal is to help improve the lives of those living with Duchenne and Becker by advancing the knowledge of those who are treating them.

CureDuchenne offers many physical therapy related resources to help therapists help their patients and families.  Please refer to these printable handouts (some available in Spanish) and informative videos for useful information from stretching to school accommodations and equipment selection.  

CureDuchenne offers two distinct opportunities for physical therapists and other allied healthcare providers to receive up to date continuing education. Live courses are in person and held throughout the United States each year by sponsor organizations. The online version of this course holds all of the valuable information and can be taken at your own pace in any location.

If you have specific questions about treating patients with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, please contact our Physical Therapy team.

PT Jennifer Wallace Valdez

Jennifer Wallace, PT, draws from experience in pediatrics since 2002 with an emphasis in the muscular dystrophy population. She has been invited to present at Duchenne conferences and the Academy of Pediatric PT Annual conference, and has taught continuing education to healthcare professionals since 2009. She is the owner of Duchenne Therapy Network. She continues to practice and provide evaluation, treatment and consultations for those with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Contact: jennifer@cureduchenne.org

PT Doug Levine

Doug Levine, PT, is the owner of Growing Places Therapy Services, PLLC. A physical therapist since 1997, he has primarily focused on pediatrics and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since 2006, Growing Places has served over 500 children and their families, providing pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapies in the home, school and daycare settings.

Contact: doug@cureduchenne.org

CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapists™ will receive training on the most current standards of care. Skills will be maintained through ongoing interaction with the CureDuchenne Physical Therapy Team and annual recertification requirements.  The network of CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapists™ will have the resources they need to provide the best standard of care to their patients.  The Duchenne community will have access to quality care with designated CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapists™ in their area.    

CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapistswill:   

  • Receive ongoing training from the CureDuchenne Physical Therapy team   
  • Receive patient referrals from CureDuchenne   
  • Be designated as Certified on www.CureDuchenne.org which families regularly access  
  • Be recognized by patients and health care professionals as a uniquely qualified provider   
  • Display the CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapist™ seal for their site, email signature, and materials to demonstrate certification   
  • Be part of a large network of therapists – for collaboration and consultation   
  • Be introduced to new families and other local Cure Duchenne Certified Physical Therapists™   
  • Receive notifications of upcoming conferences and courses of interest  

CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapist Certification Process and Requirements  

Pre-requisite Course, Certification Track and Exam

  1. Complete the full course, “Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy:  Current understanding and treatment” onsite or online
  2. Choose the PT or OT Certification Track online and pay the $50 fee for the appropriate Certification course.  https://neuromusculared.org/courses/
  3. Complete the Certification reading list in Step 2
  4. Upload the required professional documents in Step 3 ; resume and/or CV with a statement of Duchenne experience, proof of state licensure in good standing and photo.
  5. Pass the Certification exam with 80% accuracy or better 

    Annual Recertification Requirements  

    The following list constitutes the minimum standard to maintain the designation of CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapist annually.  

    1. Records:  Each Certified PT and OT will be expected to notify CureDuchenne of any changes to contact information and if their license is no longer valid or in good standing.
    2. Webinars:  Each Certified PT and OT will be required to attend 2 of the 4 webinars from the current year.  “Attendance” is considered attending at least the first 30 minutes of the webinar.  If you are unable to attend at the time that they are being presented live, we also offer the option of viewing the recording of the webinar instead in the Professional Webinar Series on www.NeuroMuscularEd.org.
    3. Research articles:  Each Certified PT and OT will be required to read 2 of the 4 articles that are sent and submit answers to the quiz questions each year after the year of original Certification by the deadline on 12/31 of that year.
    4. All webinars are recorded and available on the education website at: https://neuromusculared.org/courses/cureduchenne-professional-webinar-series  Articles and quizzes for the current year are available as well
    5. Fees:  There are no additional fees for re-certification at this time.

    To view a current list of CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapists™ CLICK HERE 

    For more information contact Education@CureDuchenne.org   

    Become a CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapist and have a direct and personal impact on the lives of people living with Duchenne and Becker

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