This one-day, remote, continuing education course is designed to help the therapist identify, assess, and treat clients with pelvic venous disorders (PeVD), a diagnosis that has confused clinicians across specialties for decades.

This class will emphasize the comprehensive treatment of PeVD, including how to provide high quality patient education, assess and treat the entire body system through a holistic lens, utilize appropriate diagnostic imaging, and collaborate with vascular providers. You will learn to perform special tests and techniques to identify and treat compensatory patterns found in the thorax and pelvis that negatively impact a person’s ability to achieve maximal venous return and optimal diaphragmatic excursion. You will gain confidence in understanding how to progress a client from lower-level techniques to more advanced exercise progressions to help them achieve their goals and reduce symptoms of PeVD.

Prior to the live, online portion of the course, participants will be able to view pre-recorded lectures at their own pace. These lectures will review the history of PeVD, barriers to care, and the importance of using evidence-based language in the diagnosis process. Emphasis will be placed on understanding both the hallmark presentation of the disease process and the four clinical presentations that can present in clients across age and gender.

During the online, live interactive portions of this course, we will discuss the influence of venous compensations on symptom presentation and learn which medical interventions are most applicable in conjunction with physical/occupational therapy. We will review how to perform a comprehensive movement screen, evaluate proper breathing mechanics, and cluster subjective and objective findings to guide our treatment plan. We will examine the role of thoracic mobility, diaphragmatic excursion, the zone of apposition, the pelvic diaphragm, and pelvic mobility on a person’s ability to maximize their venous return and manage symptoms. These techniques will be addressed in the first lab section of the class.

Techniques for the initial stages of treatment will emphasize lymphatic and venous return with manual techniques, compression products, and exercise. Advanced techniques to optimize venous return, achieve alternating and reciprocal movement patterns, and enhance the coordination of pelvic and respiratory diaphragms will be addressed in the second lab section. Additional discussion will analyze the role of minimally invasive procedures in the treatment of PeVD, pre-and post-op considerations, and contraindications for care. Break out cases will allow time for both small and large group discussion for diagnosis and treatment progressions for clients with varying presentations of PeVD.

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, 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.