PART I (Lecture) + PART II (Lab) COMBINED (this entire course is in-person) offers the physical therapy professional to both learn and apply basic skills necessary to treat patients with pelvic health dysfunction with primary emphasis on underactive pelvic floor muscle conditions. Attendees focus on the basic skills necessary to treat patients with pelvic health dysfunction with primary emphasis on underactive pelvic floor muscle conditions. Attendees will work in groups of two-to-three as both 'clinicians' and 'patients'.

Topics Covered:

• Anatomy of the pelvic girdle
• Physiology of micturition
• Dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract
• Dysfunctions of the pelvic muscles
• Patient history examination
• Testing and treatment interventions for the patient with underactive pelvic floor muscle conditions.
• Urogynecologic surgeries
• Medication
• Prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction
• Documentation

Prerequisites: None.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Examination/Evaluation:

1. Identify and examine the anatomy of the pelvic girdle
2. Describe the function of the lower urinary tract and female pelvic organs.
3. Demonstrate proper infection control techniques involved in pelvic floor muscle examination.
4. Perform an external evaluation of the female genitalia verbally identifying bones, ligaments,muscles and other structures.
5. Perform an internal pelvic examination identifying muscles, ligaments, bony prominences with identification of pelvic floor muscle origins and insertions.
6. Demonstrate proper technique in testing muscle strength of the levator ani muscles.
7. Demonstrate proper technique in testing for pelvic organ prolapse.
8. Demonstrate proper use of handheld EMG biofeedback to assess pelvic floor musculature.

Diagnosis/Prognosis:

1. Differentiate between under active pelvic floor muscles and overactive pelvic floor muscles.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of bladder tests and measurements (bladder diary, urodynamic testing, pad testing, etc.) that are used in the process of differential diagnosis.
3. Demonstrate the ability to compose a plan of care including functional goals, prognosis and length of care for the patient with under active pelvic floor conditions.
4. Explain red flags related to treatment of the pelvic floor and understand when to refer to another healthcare provider.
5. Understand urogynecologic surgeries and their effect on prognosis and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
6. Demonstrate understanding of various medications and their effects on the bowel and bladder and identify how that may affect prognosis for a patient with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.

Intervention:

1. Explain the effects of pelvic floor under activity and proper technique of pelvic muscle exercises for rehabilitative purposes.
2. Explain the relationship between the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor muscles as they relate to activities of daily living.
3. Describe the various interventions available to strengthen the muscles of the patient with an under active pelvic floor and clinically reason when and why the various interventions might be used.
4. Demonstrate proper use of a handheld pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation unit and explain its appropriate uses for a patient with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
5. Describe techniques that can be used to train (retrain) the bladder and when each intervention might be used.

Erica Holland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist, has had the pleasure of serving men and women with pelvic floor issues for 15 years and finds it to be the most rewarding area of physical therapy practice. She is passionate about helping people learn how their body works best and to advocate for their own wellness. Dr. Erica has a Master's and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and is Board-Certified in Women's Health. Dr. Erica spent the first seven years of her career at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, working with a wide range of pelvic and abdominal diagnoses. From there, she moved with her family to Nashville, Tennessee. While continuing in clinical practice, she became involved with the American Physical Therapy Association via lab assisting, instructing, and various committees. Dr. Erica is a brand-new transplant to Georgia. She, her husband, and their four children are currently enjoying exploring their new hometown via golf cart, as well as the area at large. Erica likes to read, hates to cook, and loves to laugh.

Lori Mize, PT, DPT, Board Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist Education,

graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2004 from the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Mize worked as a full-time clinician devoted to women's health and pelvic rehabilitation for 11 years and has worked primarily in academia as a faculty member for the last 5 years. Dr. Mize has joined the faculty at the University of Central Arkansas Department of Physical Therapy as an Instructor in January, 2019. Dr. Mize has been a faculty member for the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) Academy of Pelvic Health (APHPT), teaching in the area of pelvic health for many years and has served on the Board of Directors as Vice-President and as the Director of Education for the APHPT. She has previously served on the APHPT's Pelvic Health Committee as the Assistant Chair where she authored and reviewed course materials for the pelvic health series, currently serving on the CAPP-Pelvic Education Committee and the International Education Committee. Dr. Mize has administrated a yearly service-learning trip to St. Lucia Special Education Schools and has created study abroad coursework on “The Art of Anatomical Dissection” to bridge the humanities and health sciences in DPT curricula. She has presented in multiple national and international conferences for pelvic health topics including APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), APTA NEXT Conference, American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), World Physiotherapy Congress, International Continence Society (ICS), and the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA).

In addition to a passion for clinical practice, Lori has 4 children and is married to her high school sweetheart, Joseph. Her hobbies include farm work, hiking and other outdoor activities, cooking, and decorating (when she is not chasing her children).

• Day 1: 7:30 am–5:45 pm
• Day 2: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
• Day 3: 7:30 am–3:00 pm

There will be two 15-minute breaks and a lunch break each day. Times may change.