Menopause: An Integrative Approach to MSK and Pelvic Health
Menopause affects multiple body systems and often shows up as pain, mobility issues, or other challenges that bring clients through our doors. This course helps rehabilitation providers understand how hormonal and systemic changes impact recovery and movement, offering practical strategies to assess, treat, and support clients through a menopause-informed lens.
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Course Description
Menopause is a pivotal transition in life, occurring naturally or induced medically through surgery, pharmaceuticals, or disease.
While it may not be the primary reason a client seeks rehabilitation, its widespread impact on multiple body systems often contributes to musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, mobility challenges, and functional limitations.
Understanding the systemic effects of menopause is crucial for rehabilitation providers to optimize client outcomes. This course offers an evidence-based framework for recognizing and addressing menopause-related changes that affect recovery, movement, and overall rehabilitation potential.
Participants will explore how hormonal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and urinary system changes—along with environmental and lifestyle factors—can contribute to common issues seen in rehabilitation practice.
Through a biopsychosocial lens, providers will gain practical strategies for assessment, education, and intervention to support clients experiencing menopause-related challenges.
Clinical Case Studies & Practical Application
This course integrates real-world case studies to help therapists apply their knowledge to diverse patient scenarios, including:
- A 55-year-old active female with chronic low back pain, balance deficits, and pelvic floor dysfunction exacerbated by menopause.
- A 48-year-old peri-menopausal runner experiencing tendon pain and stress fractures linked to hormonal fluctuations and bone health changes.
- A 60-year-old post-menopausal woman recovering from rotator cuff repair, with concerns about sarcopenia, fatigue, and joint stiffness affecting rehabilitation.
- A 52-year-old breast cancer survivor with medically induced menopause, struggling with joint pain, cognitive fog, and functional decline.
Each case study will focus on clinical reasoning, assessment modifications, movement retraining, and treatment strategies to enhance functional outcomes.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, rehabilitation providers will be able to:
- Explain the neuroendocrine, musculoskeletal, and physiological changes associated with the peri-menopausal transition and their impact on movement and function.
- Differentiate between natural and medically induced menopause and analyze their effects on neuromuscular function, joint integrity, tissue healing, and pain perception.
- Evaluate the evidence for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other medical treatments in the context of rehabilitation.
- Identify key environmental and lifestyle factors (nutrition, stress, sleep, activity levels) that contribute to movement impairments and recovery delays.
- Recognize how menopause interacts with common musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., osteoporosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, tendinopathies, osteoarthritis, postural changes) and impacts therapy outcomes.
- Utilize specialized intake forms, movement-based assessments, and clinical reasoning tools to tailor treatment approaches for menopausal clients.
- Implement an integrative, biopsychosocial intervention strategy that includes manual therapy, exercise prescription, neuromuscular retraining, and behavioral modifications to improve quality of life and rehabilitation success.
- Apply clinical case study analysis to develop individualized treatment strategies for menopausal clients with diverse movement and musculoskeletal challenges.
Why Take This Course?
Gain evidence-based, whole-person strategies to improve rehab outcomes for menopausal clients.
Learn practical assessment tools and hands-on techniques tailored for this population.
Strengthen clinical reasoning skills through real-world case studies and problem-solving exercises.
Enhance your ability to educate and empower menopausal clients in their rehab journey.
This course equips rehabilitation providers with actionable tools to deliver comprehensive, movement-based interventions that promote resilience, function, and long-term health in menopausal clients.
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 all rehabilitation providers interested in incorporating a menopause-informed lens to their assessment and treatment approach.
Cancellation Policy