The GI Extravaganza in Pelvic Health with
Dr. Susan Clinton
This hybrid learning experience headlines a 2-day in person workshop and lab with Dr. Susan Clinton that will provide you with a comprehensive approach for managing the multifactorial nature of Gastrointestinal Disorders in your complex pelvic health patients.
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Course Description
This intimate course (maximum of 20 participants) will provide clinicians with a comprehensive approach to gastrointestinal disorders including bowel and digestion dysfunction.
This approach allows for the consideration of management of multiple factors including nutritional, psychosocial, medical-surgical decisions, and physical therapy examination/intervention advanced intervention for the complex patient.
Physiological systems contributions to the GI system require a varied intervention approach to optimize function.
The use of external biofeedback, balloon expulsion therapy, and rectal dilator work will be covered both in discussions and the lab component of the course.
A comprehensive understanding of the physiology and symptom manifestation can improve the ability to develop a comprehensive intervention strategy tailored to each patient's needs throughout the episode of care.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:
- Understand and define functional bowel disorders and bowel disease.
- Describe the latest evidence on the HPA axis and the Gut-Brain axis system to multisystem physiology in the human.
- Application of the multidisciplinary role in assessment of the patient with gastrointestinal disorders including the latest evidence on specialized testing.
- Integrate an examination algorithm for differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal impairments and functional movement dysfunctions of individual with gastrointestinal disorders including the lower GI tract and nocioplastic pain.
- Identify potential medical “red flags” that warrant referral to the appropriate physician.
- Apply the appropriate psychosocial questionnaires for the assessment of psychosocial and behavioral component as well as the expanded role of physical therapy intervention.
- Develop an updated model of intervention techniques for patients with gastrointestinal disorders based on the evidence of the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability, nutritional optimization, and exercise balance.
- Apply the updated models of examination and intervention of clients with complex gastrointestinal disorders in a case study format.
Meet the Facilitator
Dr. Susan C. Clinton PT, DScPT, OCS, WCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, WHC, NBC-HWC
Susan is an award-winning physical therapist in professional achievement and the owner of LTI Physio in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Susan is board certified in orthopedic and women’s health physical therapy, a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, and a board certified health and wellness coach.
She is an international instructor/mentor of post-professional education in women’s health (including GI issues in women), orthopedic manual therapy, health/wellness coaching and business psychology.
She is on faculty at Andrews University in the Doctor of Science in PT program, a Master Coach for the Integrative Women’s Health Institute, and a clinical faculty instructor for the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy and ASPIRE.
She is also an active author in research and blog posts, and is an active professional/clinical mentor.
Susan is the co-founder and board member for the foundation: Global Women’s Health Initiative. She is also the co-host of the 5 five-star podcast, “Tough to Treat,” the guide to treating complex patients, and “The Genius Project,” reframing the treatment of persistent musculoskeletal pain.
Susan enjoys walking / hiking, country line dance and ballroom, and is an avid supporter of music, the arts, and international objectives for women’s health.
Assessment & Certification
Participant learning will be assessed via interaction with the instructor throughout the workshop, question & answer, checking-in regarding consolidation of new learning and application to case studies during the live workshop.
Target Audience
This course is open to regulated healthcare providers who have internal palpation of the pelvic floor tissues within their scope of practice.
Internal palpation is required and participants should have a basic understanding of the anorectal exam in order to participate in the hands on labs.
Participants who do not have internal palpation within their scope of practice but who are still interested in participating are welcome to attend and participate as observers or volunteers to receive assessment/treatment during the lab portion of this course.
Practitioners that have completed this course are able to perform an evaluation of the musculoskeletal aspect of the GI system (including a focus on the lower GI region and abdomen), establish and create a treatment plan and it’s progression for GI dysfunction and movement impairments of the abdomen and pelvic region.
The interventions will include manual therapy, movement/exercise, respiration, endocrine, cardiovascular - heart rate variability and balloon catheter techniques to reduce dysfunction.
They also have a systematic approach for optimization of the GI system including digestive disorders, basic nutritional contributions, abdominal and pelvic floor dysfunction, and psychosocial/behavioral contributions.
Workshop Schedule
6 hours pre-course viewing & reading
Two Day Workshop
Day 1: Specialized Topics in GI Dysfunction - "the missing pieces"8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST
- Updates on Functional Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders – Chronic constipation, Fecal Incontinence, IBS and Bloating/Distention.
- Modern Models of Abdominal GI Anatomy and Physiology and neurophysiology (including the abdomen and the pelvic regions)HPA and the Gut-Brain Axis.
- GI microbiome.
- Immune function.
- Nocioplastic pain.
- Updated MSK examination and interventions
- Adjunct considerations for optimizing GI Health: HRV, Sleep, how to eat, exercise balance.
- Questions/Discussions: Abdominal and Pelvic Assessment and Treatment: Case Studies and Case Study Presentations (comprehensive case studies – includes differential diagnosis, multifaceted treatment strategies and referral). Review and Discussion of the hyper vs. hypo sensitive patient.
Day 2: Lab Day- Pelvic (internal/external) exam and Interventions: Dyssynergia, rectal pain and coccydynia – soft tissue techniques, neural mobilization, and motor control.
- Anorectal internal exam required before Balloon catheter.
- Balloon Catheter (extensive exam and intervention) – hyper and hyposensitive client.
- Balloon expulsion neuromuscular control for dyssynergia and capacity/weakness.
- Abdominal and Thoracic examination and interventions: Visceral mobilization including retroperitoneal and rib mobilization directed at the GI organ fascia and abdoiminal wall; Abdominal wall mobilization and neural tension mobilization; Intervention and progression for abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia with bloating and distention.
2 Follow-up Virtual Coaching Sessions– Dates: TBD
Cancellation Policy