This is a satellite offering of our course, Pelvic Floor Level 2A. A satellite means that participants will be gathering in a given location and watching the instructor present remotely on the same screen. During labs, participants will pair up and be guided by the local lab assistants at the satellite course location.

This continuing education course is comprised of prerecorded lectures followed by live, interactive remote learning and is an intermediate-level seminar designed as a next step in completing the clinicians’ ability to more comprehensively evaluate and treat the female and male pelvic floor. The participant will have the opportunity to learn about two common bowel dysfunctions, fecal incontinence and constipation, and how the pelvic rehabilitation provider can play a crucial role in overcoming these issues that affect the quality of life so dramatically. In the US, the estimate of adult fecal incontinence is over 8% and greater than 15% in people over age 70. (Whitehead, 2010) According to the National Institutes of Health, constipation affects up to 15% of people, and is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints that affects 42 million people. (Constipation, 2013) Pelvic rehabilitation providers are able to teach patients how to significantly improve quality of life through simple behavioral techniques and approaches that optimize abdominopelvic health.

Participants will learn how to evaluate the patient who presents with bowel dysfunction including fecal incontinence and constipation, and also with defecation disorders such as paroxysmal puborectalis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and fecal urgency. Knowledge of pelvic anatomy expands into the gastrointestinal system with detailed instruction about the rectum and anal canal, anal sphincters, and with instruction in important physiologic principles such as the gastrocolic reflex, sampling response, and intrinsic defecation reflex. There are other conditions that can cause pain or bleeding such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, and proctalgia fugax; the clinician will learn how to apply skills of external and internal pelvic muscle assessment (via the anorectal canal) for these conditions.

Many pelvic rehabilitation providers attend this course to learn clinical skills for coccyx pain and for pudendal neuralgia, two conditions that are included in this continuing education course. As either condition can contribute to chronic pelvic pain, this course provides significant lab time so that participants will have the opportunity to practice any new skills. The course also introduces the participant to pelvic rehabilitation of the male patient with an emphasis on topics of male pelvic anatomy, urinary incontinence, prostatectomy, and male pelvic pain. The content in this course prepares the therapist to work with male pelvic conditions by reinforcing what is common to the care of both men and women, as well as teaching that which is unique for the male patient. Current medical evaluation (with tests such as defecography, manometry), medical management (for anorectal pain and for colorectal conditions), and evidence-informed clinical interventions will be instructed.

Prerequisites:

Pelvic Floor Level 1, through Herman & Wallace or Pelvic PT 1 through the APTA is required. Exceptions to this policy may be granted on a case-by-case basis, to inquire about such exceptions please contact us.

All pre-recorded lectures in Teachable for this course must be watched before the Live Component of the course and in order to earn a certificate of completion for this course. See the Schedule tab for the current list of pre-recorded videos

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.

Special Considerations

As this continuing education course includes extensive lab work, all course attendees should come prepared to participate as both clinician and patient. Anorectal pelvic floor muscle examinations will be taught in labs. Labs will be conducted under the supervision of instructors and teaching assistants. There will be a ratio of at least one instructor/assistant for every ten participants. 

Participation in Labs

H&W strives to foster an environment that is inclusive and welcomes all professionals who are appropriately licensed at our courses. Having any particular anatomy is not a prerequisite for attending or participating fully in our courses. No one participant will be required to partner with any other participant during labs. Survivors of past trauma should be aware that performing or experiencing internal exams may be triggering, and that many, regardless of their histories, feel strong emotions when practicing these techniques. In order to foster an environment that is non-triggering and safe for all participants, we recommend all participants consider the emotional impact they may experience during the course, and consider consulting a trauma counselor or therapist prior to attending. Read more about What to Expect During Courses with Internal Lab Work. 

References

Constipation. (2013) National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 22, 2014 from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation
Whitehead, W. E., Borrud, L., Gode, P. S., Meikle, S., Mueller, E. R., Tuteja, A.,...Ye, W. (2009). Fecal incontinence in US adults: epidemiology and risk factors. Gastroenterology, (137)2, 512-517