This two-day, remote continuing education course covers methods for performing assessment and treatment by both telehealth/online consultation and in-person visits for our pregnant clients. Knowing how to safely examine and treat the patient who is pregnant is the goal of this beginner-to-intermediate course.
Prior to the live, online portion of the course, participants will be able to view pre-recorded lectures at their own pace. In these videos, these pregnancy-related topics will be covered: terminology, fertilization, trimesters, medical testing/interventions, imaging, and medications. Differentiating between false labor, progressive labor, and other musculoskeletal pain will be covered. Understanding typical hormonal and systemic changes during pregnancy will be provided, included pregnancy effects on the endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, neurologic/sensory, integumentary, gastrointestinal, urinary/renal, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems. Additionally, during this self-paced viewing, examination, evaluation, and treatment of common pregnancy-related lumbopelvic conditions will be provided. An introduction to diastasis rectus abdominis, pelvic floor dysfunction, breathing, and deep core assessment/treatment will be provided.
Resource documents will also be provided for preview that will cover history taking with pregnant clients; obstetric red flags and medical screening; and positioning considerations with the pregnant client.
During online live interactive portions of this course, we will open with general examination considerations and modifications specific to pregnancy, including discussion of modalities and manual therapy techniques considered safe or precautioned during pregnancy. Further discussion of pelvic girdle examination, diagnosis, and treatment strategies will be provided, followed by “lab” time with assessment and treatment techniques for the lumbopelvic region. Review of key concepts related to core muscle and diastasis rectus abdominis will lead to “lab” time with assessment and treatment techniques. Progression of stabilization exercises during pregnancy will be practiced. Break out cases will allow time for both small and large group discussion for diagnosis and treatment progression for pregnant clients with lumbopelvic dysfunction or with diastasis rectus abdominis. Finally, to prepare the pregnant client for labor and birth, instruction in perineal stretching, hip and trunk flexibility activities, and TENS for labor will be discussed. “Lab” practice will include labor and birthing positions, with a focus on consideration for positional strategies for women with pre-existing musculoskeletal problems.
Prerequisites
None. This is a beginner-level course.
Pre-Course Learning Requirements
10-14 days before the course, participants will receive an invite to join Teachable, an online learning platform. In Teachable, registrants will find video lectures, other pre-course learning materials, course manual files, mandatory liability waiver, and URLs for any Zoom meetings. We require registrants to complete teachable components in sequential order. Videos lectures are required and must be completed in-full before proceeding to the next Teachable section. At the conclusion of the course, registrants can access their post-test and course evaluation form to provide our curriculum team feedback on their experience, as well as download their certificate of completion - all via Teachable.
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.
References
1. Boissonnault, J. S., & Blaschak, M. J. (1988). Incidence of diastasis recti abdominis during the childbearing year. Physical Therapy, 68(7), 1082-1086.
2. Clapp, J. F. I. (2002). Exercising through your pregnancy. Omaha, Nebraska: Addicus Books, Inc.
3. Krum, L., & Smith, S. (2005) Educating physical therapists in women's health: recommendations for professional (entry-level) and post-professional curricula. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 19(2), 31-41.
4. Spitznagle, T., Leong, F., & Van Dillen, L. (2007). Prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis in a urogynecological patient population. International Urogynecology Journal & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, 18(3), 321-328.
