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Digital Seminar

Feet First: How to Assess Fall Risk from the Ground Up


Speakers:
Courtney Conley, DC |  Jen Perez, DC
Duration:
2 Hours 01 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Dec 12, 2025
Product Code:
POS065653
Media Type:
Digital Seminar


Description

If you’re not evaluating the foot in your fall risk assessments, you’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle. 

The foot is the body’s foundation for standing, balance, and movement—yet foot mechanics are rarely the focus of fall prevention. Many patients present with no foot pain, but subtle impairments in strength, alignment, or proprioception can lead to instability, altered gait, and increased risk of falling. 

In this high-impact training, Dr. Courtney Conley and Dr. Jen Perez, founders of Gait Happens, will walk you through simple, evidence-based foot and ankle assessments that reveal hidden contributors to fall risk—even in patients who don’t fit the typical profile. 

You’ll learn how to connect anatomy to function and apply clinical reasoning to assess diagnoses commonly linked to falls, including bunions, forefoot instability, and posterior tibial dysfunction. They will also share a real-world case study of a 71-year-old patient with no pain but a history of falls—and how targeted foot assessments uncovered the root cause. 

Here’s What You’ll Walk Away With: 

  • Simple foot & ankle tests to screen for fall risk—even in patients without pain 
  • A clear clinical reasoning model: anatomy → assessment → intervention 
  • Clarity on which foot & ankle diagnoses increase fall risk (and how to spot them) 
  • A real case breakdown: exact assessments used and how to apply them tomorrow 
  • Greater confidence in treating the “invisible contributors” to poor balance 

Whether you’re working with athletes, weekend warriors, or aging populations, understanding foot function is non-negotiable. If you’re not looking at the foundation, your treatment plans are incomplete

Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your assessments and deliver results that actually last. 

Credit

Planning Committee Disclosure - Relevant relationships

Mitch Hauschildt receives a speaking honorarium from RockTape USA, Trigger Point, and TRX. He is a content contributor for Titan Nutrition. All relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company have been mitigated.
 
All other members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the remaining committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


* Credit Note - **

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after passing the online post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, and others.

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Program content is reviewed periodically per accrediting board rules for currency and appropriateness for credit. Credit approvals are subject to change. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. 
For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before purchase.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For Planning Committee disclosures, please see the statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


* Credit Note - ---

Earn up to 2.0 CE hours. Please see below, for more details, as credit amounts vary by state and profession. 


Occupational Therapists - Florida Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy. Provider Number #50-399. This course qualifies for 2.0 self-study continuing education credits.

CE Broker


Occupational Therapists - Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

This course contains 2.0 hours of Distance Learning - Independent continuing education. It was not offered for AOTA CEUs. Please retain your certificate of completion. For state licensure or other credential renewal, contact those agencies for information about your reporting responsibilities and requirements.


Physical Therapists - Alaska Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 2.0 continuing education credit hours for Alaska Physical Therapists. The Board Rule 12 AAC 54.420 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers.


Physical Therapists - Arizona Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. The Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes continuing competence activities that have been approved by any state PT association or national medical/health care association (e.g., AOTA, ASHA). This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of instruction applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - California Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers. This self-study lecture qualifies for 2.0 continuing competency hours.


Physical Therapists - Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 2.0 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists. CE requirements for physical therapists vary by state/jurisdiction. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Physical Therapists - Illinois Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270. This self-study course qualifies for 2.0 CE credit hours.


Physical Therapists - Kentucky Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 2.0 continuing education credit hours. For Kentucky licensees, according to 201 KAR 22:045, this self-study educational offering may be applied toward Category 2 continued competency requirements.  Please review the regulation to determine eligibility. 


Physical Therapists - New York Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department, State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant continuing education. This self-study course qualifies for 2.4 contact hours.


Physical Therapists - North Carolina Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation, Provider Number: 216.000270. This intermediate course is approved by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners by virtue of PESI Inc. approved provider status with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. This course qualifies for 2.0 continuing education hours.


Physical Therapists - Oklahoma Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This asynchronous activity consists of 2.0 continuing education credit hours for Oklahoma Physical Therapists. Oklahoma Administrative Code 435:20-9-3.1 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs offered by providers approved by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Pennsylvania Physical Therapists and Assistants

The Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes approval by all other state boards. This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - Utah Physical Therapists And Physical Therapist Assistants

This course is designed to meet the Utah DOPL Rule R156-24b-303b.2.c.iv - A commercial continuing education provider providing a course related to the practice of physical therapy. Please retain a copy of the advertising brochure and your certificate of completion to provide to your board should this be requested of you. This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Physical Therapists - Vermont Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This course consists of 2.0 continuing education credit hours for Vermont Physical Therapists. The Board confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Virginia Physical Therapists & Physical Therapy Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 2.0 hours of type 2 continued competency credit for Virginia Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants. Regulation 18VAC112-20-131, Section B, (2) states that up to ten type 2 continued competency credits can be earned by completing independent study activities related to the clinical practice of physical therapy. 


Chiropractors - Chiropractors

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PESI is recognized by the PACE program of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. This online course consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Approval #065653/12122025.

For a list of boards that accept PACE courses, please visit this website: https://pacex.fclb.org/pages/BoardRequirements.php

**Please note that Chiropractors and/or Chiropractor Assistants must complete the post-test and evaluation and answer yes to the PACE Chiropractor question if they would like their participation submitted to PACE.


Athletic Trainers - Athletic Trainers

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers. This self-study program has been approved for a maximum of 2.0 hours of Category A continuing education.


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 2.0 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Courtney Conley, DC's Profile

Courtney Conley, DC Related seminars and products


Dr. Courtney Conley is the founder and creator of Gait Happens where she has the opportunity to truly realize her dream of helping as many people as possible reclaim their foot function.

She’s a renowned foot and gait specialist who teaches both nationally and internationally. Dr. Conley is a chiropractic physician who specializes in foot and gait mechanics. She holds a BA in Kinesiology, a BA in Human Biology, and a doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine.

She is the owner and operator of Total Health Solutions clinic and Total Health Performance gym in Lakewood, CO, where she heads patient care with a focus on restoring gait mechanics and helping people resolve foot problems to move more easily and with less pain.

Dr. Conley is a founding member of the Healthy Foot Alliance, an international team of practitioners whose collective goal is to bring light to the benefits of national footwear and prevent unnecessary surgical procedures by improving foot foundation and creating a stable platform from the ground up.


Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Courtney Conley is the co-owner of Force Couple, LLC., the owner of GaitHappens, and the owner and medical director of Total Health Solutions. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Dr. Courtney Conley has no relevant non-financial relationships.


Jen Perez, DC's Profile

Jen Perez, DC Related seminars and products


Dr. Jen Perez is co-founder and vice president of Gait Happens and co-owner of Kinetic Chiropractic in Lafayette, CO. As both an educator and a clinician, her mission to empower as many people as possible to take charge of their lower body health so they can get back to doing what they love. Dr. Perez holds a BS in Kinesiology-Sports Medicine and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. She’s taught courses to healthcare practitioners both nationally and internationally and she works with clients virtually across the globe. 


Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Jenifer Perez is the owner of Kinetic Chiropractic and co-owner of Gait Happens, LLC. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Dr. Jenifer Perez has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Objectives

  1. Determine how impairments in foot and ankle anatomy—including forefoot instability, first ray stiffness, and posterior tibial weakness—can disrupt balance and increase fall risk during daily activities.
  2. Choose foot and ankle assessments that help identify fall risk factors in patients with or without pain, to support safer gait, transfers, and functional mobility.
  3. Utilize a clinical reasoning framework that connects foot structure and movement to fall prevention strategies, improving patient outcomes in standing tolerance, walking stability, and overall independence.

Outline

Why Feet Matter in Fall Prevention 

  • The foot’s role in balance, posture, ADLs, and proprioception 
  • How common foot dysfunctions contribute to fall risk—even without pain 
  • What your assessments may be missing 

Key Anatomical Connections to Fall Risk 

  • Intrinsic vs. extrinsic foot muscle function in postural stability 
  • First ray mobility, forefoot stability, and the base of support 
  • Visual cues and movement patterns that indicate increased fall risk 

Simple, Targeted Foot & Ankle Assessments You Can Use Tomorrow 

  • Forefoot instability testing 
  • Posterior tibial loading & collapse tests 
  • Balance reactions and barefoot standing mechanics 
  • Integrating these tests into your current fall risk screen 

Diagnoses that Commonly Contribute to Falls 

  • Bunions & hallux valgus: what’s functional vs. structural 
  • Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD): the silent collapse 
  • Forefoot instability and its role in late-phase gait disruption 

Real Case Application 

  • Case Study: 71-year-old patient with no pain, but frequent falls 
  • Step-by-step walkthrough of the foot & ankle assessments used 
  • How findings shaped the treatment plan 
  • What you can apply to your next patient 

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapy Assistants
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Chiropractors
  • Athletic Trainers
  • Strength and conditioning coaches
  • Exercise physiologists

Reviews

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