The pelvic floor muscles contribute functionally to pelvic girdle stability, bladder and bowel function, sexual appreciation, and breathing. Altered pelvic muscle length, strength, endurance, awareness and coordination can cause or perpetuate pelvic dysfunctions if unrecognized. Orhtopedic therapists can benefit from increased knowledge of the pelvic muscles as impairments can also contribute to low back, hip, sacroiliac, and lower extremity dysfunctions.

The focus of this 2-day continuing education seminar is to introduce basic, external pelvic floor muscle evaluation and treatment techniques that are applicable to a wide variety of patient populations. The information within the class will expand the clinician's appreciation of the relationship of the pelvic floor muscles to the hip, pelvic girdle, sacroiliac, symphysis pubis, lumbosacral joints as well as the thoracic and lumbar spine. Physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and other rehabilitation professionals identifying themselves as having primarily a manual therapy approach and/or orthopedic/sports, women’s health or geriatric patient population will find this course to be highly relevant.

This continuing education course begins with a thorough 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 instructed 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 may take for granted. Laboratory practicums are offered throughout the course for external evaluation and treatment techniques for the pelvic region. This course will introduce participants to the anatomic and physiologic pelvic floor connections and furthermore, offer strategies that patients can quickly integrate into their self-care.

Participants will learn to complete a scanning examination of the pelvic floor muscles, palpation of the coccyx (externally), sacroiliac joint, and obturator internus muscle. Evaluation of the abdominal wall, tests of load transfer such as the active straight leg raise, and surface EMG biofeedback will be covered in this introductory course.

Audience:

This continuing education seminar is targeted to physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapist assistants, registered nurses, nurse midwives, and other rehabilitation professionals. Content is not intended for use outside the scope of the learner's license or regulation. Physical therapy continuing education courses should not be taken by individuals who are not licensed or otherwise regulated, except, as they are involved in a specific plan of care.

Required Readings

1. Review the anatomy of the pelvis and perineum.
2. Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Load Transfer by Diane Lee and Linda-Joy Lee