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.
Level: Intermediate
Contact hours: 22.5 (CEUs vary by state)
Price: $695 (Early registrant price of $675 for registrations received one month before course start date.)
Prerequisites: It is required that the participants have a working experience with evaluating patients via vaginal examination. Pelvic Floor 1, through Herman & Wallace or Pelvic PT 1 through the APTA is strongly recommended.
Required Readings

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This continuing education course is a three-day intermediate-level seminar 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. The key to understanding those conditions is to teach 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.

Special Considerations:

As this continuing education course includes extensive lab work, all course attendees should come prepared to participate as both clinician and patient. Vaginal pelvic floor muscle examinations will be taught in labs. Male course attendees may participate fully in the entire course if they bring their own lab model for examination. Pregnant women course attendees may participate fully in the entire course if they bring their own lab model for examination. If the attendee insists on lab participation, then a clearance letter from their physician allowing them to participate in the labs is required. We strongly recommend that pregnant attendees bring a model as vaginal examination and internal myofascial manual therapy prior to 32 weeks gestation is not the common standard of medical practice.

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Upon completion of this continuing education seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify anatomy/pathophysiology of the female reproductive and urologic systems with reference to vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, pelvic organ prolapse and interstitial cystitis.
2. Identify specific pelvic floor muscle locations with external and internal vaginal examinations.
3. Perform internal vaginal myofascial and soft-tissue treatment techniques to the pelvic floor muscles.
4. Describe and teach three neuromuscular relaxation training techniques for the pelvic floor.
5. Perform a SEMG pelvic floor muscle assessment and interpretation for appropriate treatment intervention.
6. Perform external perineal examinations appropriate for vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, pelvic organ prolapse and interstitial cystitis.
7.Perform patient related education/behavioral instructions affecting urogynecologic conditions.
8. Demonstrate muscle assessment tests for pelvic floor to identify anterior and posterior vaginal wall relaxation (pelvic organ prolapse).
9. Develop treatment plans for pelvic pain syndromes.

Have a question about this course? Contact Us.

As this continuing education course includes extensive lab work, all course attendees should come prepared to participate as both clinician and patient. Vaginal pelvic floor muscle examinations will be taught in labs. Male course attendees may participate fully in the entire course if they bring their own lab model for examination. Pregnant women course attendees may participate fully in the entire course if they bring their own lab model for examination. If the attendee insists on lab participation, then a clearance letter from their physician allowing them to participate in the labs is required. We strongly recommend that pregnant attendees bring a model as vaginal examination and internal myofascial manual therapy prior to 32 weeks gestation is not the common standard of medical practice.

Have a question about this course? Contact Us.

Have a question about this course? Contact Us.