Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment (PF 2B)

Urogynecologic Examination and Treatment Intervention

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisite
PF 1 or prior seminar instruction in PF vaginal muscle examinations and reading assignments.PF 2A and PF 2B do not need to be taken in sequence; however, both PF 2A and PF 2B are prerequisites for PF 3.

Course Overview
This 3 day intermediate seminar is 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. Key to understanding these conditions are teaching 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.

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

• Identify anatomy/pathophysiology of the female reproductive and urologic systems with reference to vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, pelvic organ prolapse and interstitial cystitis.
• Identify specific pelvic floor muscle locations with external and internal vaginal examinations.
• Perform internal vaginal myofascial and soft-tissue treatment techniques to the pelvic floor muscles.
• Describe and teach three neuromuscular relaxation training techniques for the pelvic floor.
• Perform a SEMG pelvic floor muscle assessment and interpretation for appropriate treatment intervention
• Perform external perineal examinations appropriate for to vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, pelvic organ prolapse and interstitial cystitis.
• Perform patient related education/behavioral instructions affecting urogynecologic conditions.
• Demonstrate muscle assessment tests for pelvic floor to identify anterior and posterior vaginal wall relaxation (pelvic organ prolapse).
• Describe and demonstrate abdominal wall evaluation and treatment interventions of manual therapy, and specific therapeutic exercise for transervsus abdominus.
• Develop treatment plans for pelvic syndromes pelvic pain syndromes.
  

Special Considerations
As this 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, or 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.

Audience
Seminar content is targeted to physical therapists. Content is not intended for use outside the scope of the learner's license or regulation. Clinical continuing education should not be taken by individuals who are not licensed or otherwise regulated, except, as they are involved in a specific plan of care.

Hours
Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Certificates
All participants completing the seminar will receive a certificate of attendance with continuing education contacthours and checklists of skills learned for examination and treatment inthe seminar labs. Participants electing to take a post-test multiple choice examination (70% passing required) will also receive a didacticlearning certificate.

Certification in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction BCIA - PMDB

The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA) offers a certification in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback (PMDB) for bowel, bladder, and pelvic pain. For information on completecertification requirements and an application for certification please go to http://www.bcia.org and see certification information. The Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment curriculum seminars (levels PF 1, PF 2A and PF 2B) provide over 60 hours of pelvic floor continuing education. The topics covered in level PF 2A partially meet the BCIAdidactic criteria (24 hours education and 4 hours of practicum) for BCIA-PMDB Certification. BCIA approval and accreditation for this series is pending at time of brochure printing. Certification is not required for clinical practice.