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Menopause: A Rehabilitation Approach

Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute

Objectives

Upon completion of this continuing education seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the multiple hormonal and systemic changes of menopause
2. Design an appropriate bone health exercise program for the peri- to post-menopausal woman, at risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis
3. Understand the precautions that must be undertaken when prescribing exercise to an osteoporotic woman
4. Perform manual therapy techniques to enhance the mobility of connective tissue following hysterectomy
5. Identify the early signs and symptoms of peri-menopausal pelvic floor dysfunction; be able to advise the patient on prevention, self -management and when to seek specialised treatment
6. Identify the challenges to a woman’s sexual function and be able to offer treatment strategies for same
7. Recognize the challenges menopause can present to digestive health and weight management
8. Demonstrate simple, safe and effective yoga poses shown to be helpful in managing menopausal symptoms

Target Audience

This continuing education seminar is targeted to physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapist assistants, registered nurses, nurse midwives, and other rehabilitation professionals. Content is not intended for use outside the scope of the learner's license or regulation. Physical therapy continuing education courses should not be taken by individuals who are not licensed or otherwise regulated, except, as they are involved in a specific plan of care.

Confirmation Notes

Special Considerations:
Participants should come prepared to act as both clinician and model. Comfortable clothes suitable for exercise are recommended. Participants should bring a yoga mat.

Agenda

Day One:
7:30 Registration 8:00 Introduction, goals, objectives 8:15 Lecture: Menopause 101: the multiple roles of our hormones 9:30 Lecture: Bone and joint health peri and post menopausally: women and back pain 10:30 Break 10:45 Lecture: Bone and joint health peri and post menopausally : Osteoporosis and osteopenia 11:30 Lab: designing an osteoporosis and osteopenia intervention programm 12:30 Lunch 1:30 Lecture: Pelvic health for the Menopausal woman 2:45 Sexuality in menopause 3:15 Break 3:30 Lab: Pelvic assessment: internal and external. Pelvic floor awareness techniques 4:30 Discussion, Q and A 5:00 Adjourn

Day Two:
8:00 Review 8:15 Lecture: Digestive health and Weight management post menopause 9:15 Lecture: Integrative therapies for managing menopausal symptoms: using food as medicine 10:30 Lecture: Hysterectomy: implications for therapists 11:30 Lab: Manual therapy techniques & exercise prescription post- hysterectomy 12:30 Lunch 1:30 Lecture: Yoga for menopausal symptom relief 2:30 Yoga for menopause - program design: strength, flexibility, balance, relaxation 3:15 Break 3:30 Lecture: Integrative medicine: using CAM for menopausal symptom relief 4:30 Wrap up/ Q and A 5:00 Adjourn

Description

Many women experience symptoms during the menopause transition that may impact their quality of life. The majority of literature focuses on identification and medical management of symptoms that women experience during menopause (McGinnis et al 2008). Many of these symptoms can be addressed by skilled and integrative pelvic rehab, including vaginal atrophy, sexual health and pelvic organ prolapse, as well as the many musculo-skeletal health issues that may present during peri-menopause.

We will explore the research which supports the use of bespoke exercise prescription for preventing, managing and possibly even reversing some of the symptoms of bone density loss experienced during menopause (Sinaki 2010, Presinger 2009). We will also look at some menopausal health issues not traditionally in the remit of rehab, but where forward thinking therapists can provide an integrative, safe and effective/evidence based approach, such as menopausal weight loss, cardiovascular health promotion and mind body awareness.

Many women will turn to CAM (Complementary & Alternative Medicine) during menopause and may ask questions of their rehab providers - this course will discuss the evidence base and efficacy of the more common answers.

In this two day course, the therapist’s repertoire of clinical reasoning, manual therapies and exercise prescription will be developed, along with an exploration of integrative approaches, including CAM, yoga and nutrition pertaining to the management of menopausal symptoms. Participants will gain an understanding of the changing hormonal profiles of the menopausal woman, but will also appreciate the long term implications of these changes, especially pelvic floor & sexual health and function, musculo-skeletal and bone density issues.

'Identifying the relationship of physical and psychosocial factors impacting quality of life will permit health care professionals to gain a richer appreciation of how a woman's life is affected by the menopause transition.' (McGinnis et al 2008)

Date And Locations
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