Course Summaries
Introduction to Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment
Course Overview
Recent research has identified the pelvic floor muscles as an important contributor to the stability of the pelvic girdle as well as the maintenance of continence and sexual function. Alteration of length, strength and tone in the pelvic floor muscles can be the root cause for many pelvic pain dysfunctions of urogenital pain conditions,overactive bladder and incontinence. Pelvic floor muscle impairments can contribute to hip, lower leg and lower back dysfunctions.
The focus of the seminar is to become comfortable with simple external pelvic floor muscle evaluation and treatment techniques applicable to a wide variety of patient populations. It will expand the clinicians appreciation of the relationship of the pelvic floor muscles to the hip, pelvic girdle, sacroiliac, symphysis pubis, lumbosacral joints and the thoracic and lumbar spine. Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants identifying themselves as having primarily a manual therapy approach and/or orthopedic/sports, women’s health or geriatric patient population will find this course especially relevant.
This seminar begins with a through explanation of the anatomy of the pelvis and the layers of the pelvic floor muscles. Key points of medical history and chief complaints that would identify risk factors for pelvic floor impairment syndromes will be reviewed and evidence–based references will support the evaluation and treatment methods. The seminar will be didactic for teaching the anatomy, physiology and kinesiology of daily functions we take for granted but don’t quite understand. It also provides laboratory practicums for learning external evaluation and treatment techniques for the pelvic region. Participants will find it informative and clinically helpful to learn patient symptoms have an anatomic/physiologic connection to the pelvic floor and that there are simple techniques to help patients.
Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment (PF 1)
Introduction to Examination and Treatment of Female Pelvic Floor Conditions
Course Overview
This 3 day seminar is designed to provide a thorough introduction to female pelvic floor function, dysfunction and treatment interventions. It is geared to the physical therapist who wants to synthesize the information and apply it to individual treatment programs for urinary incontinence or the musculoskeletal components of urogynecologic pain syndromes, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), levator ani syndrome, vulvodynia, and interstitial cystitis (IC). The seminar teaches evaluation and treatment interventions by instructional assessment of the pelvic floor muscles with internal vaginal examination and SEMG biofeedback assessment. The information is immediately applicable to clinical practice.
Presentation of evidence-based evaluation and treatment techniques will be emphasized. Outcome measures and quality of life questionnaires will be presented for both urinary incontinence and pain syndromes. Daily lab time allows for supervised instruction of pelvic floor muscle evaluation with external palpation and internal vaginal examination of pelvic floor musculature. For each condition the therapist will learn to: recognize the key signs and symptoms that lead to impairment, functional limitations and disabilities; use an evaluation/outcome tool; and perform a suggested protocol of treatment interventions. Clinical treatment interventions will include therapeutic exercise, SEMG biofeedback, external manual therapy, patient related education/behavioral instructions and electrotherapeutic modalities.
Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment (PF 2A)
Colorectal and Coccyx Conditions, Male Pelvic Floor, Pudendal Nerve
Course Overview
This 3 day intermediate seminar is designed as a next step in completing the clinicians’ ability to comprehensively evaluate the female and male pelvic floor by learning colorectal examination and treatments. Current medical evaluation, management, evidence-based references and case studies will be presented.
This seminar focuses on physical therapy evaluation and treatment protocols for anal incontinence, constipation, pudendal nerve entrapment, coccydynia, prostatodynia (prostatitis Category IIIB) and post-prostatectomy incontinence. The relationship between pelvic floor muscle impairment and the diagnoses presented for physical therapy evaluation and treatment will be instructed.
Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment (PF 2B)
Urogynecologic Examination and Treatment Intervention
Course Overview
This 3 day intermediate seminar is designed to refine the clinicians’ ability to comprehensively evaluate the pelvic floor by learning more specific examination and treatment interventions for female urogynecologic conditions. Evidence-based references and case studies will be presented for thorough understanding of current medical evaluation and management of each condition.
Topics include evaluation and treatment protocols for overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, vaginismus, interstitial cystitis and pelvic organ prolapse. Topics also include post hysterectomy/oopherectomy pelvic floor considerations. Key to understanding these conditions are teaching the relationship of pelvic floor muscle impairment to the diagnosis presented for physical therapy evaluation and treatment. The examination labs will focus on the pelvic floor in relationship to the vagina, uterus, urethra, bladder, rectum and abdomen with external and internal vaginal palpation, testing and observation.
Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment (PF 3)
Advanced Pelvic Floor Function, and Dysfunction and Treatment
Course Overview
This 3 day advanced seminar is designed to refine the clinicians’ability to evaluate and treat pelvic floor dysfunctions by integrating ideas from many of the existing models of pelvic floor rehabilitation into comprehensive and cohesive programs. The participant will learn more specific examination and treatment interventions for female and male pelvic floor conditions. Current medical evaluation, management, evidence-based references and case studies will be presented.
Topics include in-depth information regarding hormones and their effect on the female body through the life cycle, specific pelvic floor concerns for the different phases of the female life cycle, female sexual dysfunction, specific surgical procedures for urinary and fecal incontinence, vestibulectomy, hymenectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, anal sphincter repair and TVT post-surgical protocol ideas. The labs are directed toward refining and adding new evaluation and treatment techniques for the pelvis and pelvic floor muscles. An integration of core stabilization, joint stabilization, treatment for short pelvic floor syndromes and treatments for high and low tone pelvic floor muscles.
Participants are encouraged to submit a case study on a complex patient with specific questions for the class to discuss and generate ideas collectively. PF 3 case studies partially meet the BCIA criteria for certification.
Pregnancy and Postpartum: Clinical Highlights
Course Overview
This 2 day course is designed to teach the participant the evaluation skills and treatment protocols for common prenatal and postpartum patient complaints. High risk, back pain, sacroiliac dysfunction, thoracic outlet, carpal tunnel, diastasis recti and foot dysfunctions are covered to facilitate direct clinical application.