Functional Pelvic Floor Training for Weakness, Pain, and Dysfunction in Men, Women, and Older Adults

Pelvic floor dysfunction is an under reported and under diagnosed issue that will affect most people over the course of their lifetime. The prevalence of Urinary Incontinence (UI), for example, increases with age and is estimated to affect 50 -85% of elderly living in long-term care facilities. UI significantly decreases quality of life, and is a risk factor forfalls, but unfortunately many people are too embarrassed to tell anyone, and many healthcare professionals are not prepared to address the issue if their patients do reveal pelvic floor symptoms. People who experience pelvic pain wait years, on average, to get an accurate diagnosis and referralto a pelvic floor specialist. The good news is that you don't need to be a specialist to make a meaningful difference. This one-day course will prepare you to provide education and intervention that will help prevent and treat pelvic floor dysfunction.

The muscles of the pelvic floor are like muscles anywhereelse in the body, but they have unique function in that theysupport the urinary, reproductive, and gastrointestinal systems in addition to providing tensile force that supports lumbo- pelvic stability. This course prepares rehabilitation and fitnessprofessionals to apply their muscular expertise to improve the strength and mobility of the pelvic floor, effectively improving the function of multiple systems. You will learn exercises that have been demonstrated by research to improve function and self-care that can be easily reimbursed by Medicare and insurance companies. Interactive labs allow for practice of non-invasive techniques that you can use to immediatelyimprove your client's outcomes and quality of life.

Highlights

• Effectively screen and treat clients dealing with constipation, incontinence, pelvic pain, poor neuromotor control and weak proprioceptive awareness
• Functional, task-specific exercises to train the pelvic floor for strength, endurance, coordination and relaxation in men and women
• Incorporate pelvic floor muscle activation into the exercises that you frequently teach for improved outcomes, patient satisfaction and quality of life
• Learn exercises from Yoga and Pilates to engage the core and pelvic floor muscles collectively
• Valuable pre and post-natal techniques to help new mothers regain core strength and pelvic control
• Reduce risk of falls by improving control of the pelvic floor and core muscles in older adults
• Practical, non-invasive screening techniques to determine pelvic floor muscle strength and functional

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers