Dry Needling Lab for the Pelvic Floor

Instructors (will rotate or we will add multiple based on enrollment numbers): Tina Anderson, PT; Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, RCMT, BCB-PMD; Nel Gerig, MD

Contact Hours: 4 Hours - This course will immediately follow the Level 2 Dry Needling Course

Please Contact the course administrators if you have any questions regarding the below information.

Course Overview & Objectives:

Audience: The content of this class is intended for physical therapists, physicians and other medical health-care practitioners who have completed Kinetacore's Level 1 and Level 2 Dry Needling courses.  Participant may take the lab the same time as the Level 2 course they are participating in or at another time, but level 2 must be completed before taking the Pelvic Floor Lab

Course Overview: This is a 4-hour lab covering the application of dry needling to the pelvic floor and pelvic girdle regions which is designed to enhance the clinical practice of TDN to those suffering from pelvic pain and pelvic floor disorders. The course participant will learn the specific techniques of TDN and application for various patient populations such as those with; pudendal neuralgia, nerve entrapments, vulvar pain disorders, coccygeal pain, vaginismus, interstitial cystitis, prostatodynia incontinence, pelvic muscular dysfunction, including hypertonus or incoordination. Case studies will also be presented through the course.  A specific connection to the spinal segments associated with this dysfunction will be highlighted and discussed with a specific focus on the thoracic and lumbar spine and abdominal musculature.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this seminar the course participants shall be able to:

1. Review indications for TDN/IMT for pelvic disorders
2. Summarize pelvic pain pathophysiology and treatment options
3. Describe anatomical considerations and precautions when needling in the pelvic region
4. Identify specific bony landmarks of the pelvis and differentiate individual pelvic muscles for needling
5. Demonstrate TDN/IMT technique of the pelvic floor/pelvic girdle musculature
6. Discuss special considerations when needling nerve entrapment, ANS dysfunction, central sensitization Maigne syndrome and visceral pain.
7. Evaluate visceral and somatic muscle referred pain with TDN/IMT protocols
8. Differentiate between inhibitory versus excitatory TDN/IMT
9. Understand the impact of other dysfunctions on the pelvic floor, for example, thoracic somatic dysfunction.

Pre-Requisites:

• Completion of Level 1 (Introductory) and Level 2 (Advanced) TDN/IMT Courses through GEMt / Kinetacore
• Pelvic Physical Therapy Level 1 from the APTA Section of Women's Health or Pelvic Floor 1 from Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute
• Familiar with palpatory anatomy of the perineum both external and internal
  
• Potential participants without above experience will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Please submit your CV or educational experience and supportive information to determine your eligibility to participate in this course to education@kinetacore.com
  

Study Guide: Click here

Required Reading: Click here for article #1. Click here for article #2.

Suggested Reading/Review:

C. Chan Gunn’s book Treatment of Chronic Pain

Travell and Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Any anatomy book or CD for the pelvic floor/pelvic girdle musculature

Muscles to be covered in this Advanced Course will be:

• All pelvic and reproductive musculature
• Adductors reviewed from Level I and New muscles from Level II.
• Posterior hip review of Level I and New muscles from Level II.

http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/meded/grossanatomy/dissector/mml/

http://www.pelvicpainhelp.com/ - Headache in the pelvis

Please Note: As this course includes extensive lab work, all course attendees should come prepared to participate as both clinician and patient.  Pelvic floor muscle examinations and treatment will be taught in labs. 


Pregnant women may not participate in this course due to risks associated with the practical sessions.


*The course content is not intended for use outside the scope of the learner's license or scope of practice. 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.