Pelvic Health Demystified: Essential Knowledge for Every PT/PTA

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common yet often overlooked contributor to pain, movement impairments, and functional limitations. This practical, evidence-based course equips PTs and PTAs with the foundational knowledge and screening skills needed to recognize pelvic health concerns across genders and throughout the lifespan. Participants will explore pelvic floor anatomy and function, identify key signs and symptoms, apply effective screening strategies, and strengthen clinical decision-making regarding treatment and referral. Gain the confidence to integrate pelvic health principles into everyday practice and provide more comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Location: In person
OrthoRI
300 Crossings Blvd, Warwick, RI 02886
PT Gym

Eligible for Contact Hours

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe the relevant anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor, lumbopelvic region, and associated movement system structures.
• Explain the role of the pelvic floor in bowel, bladder, sexual health, and pain modulation across functional activities.
• Identify common signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with pelvic floor dysfunction during the subjective interview.
• Demonstrate the use of a practical screening and assessment tool to evaluate potential pelvic floor involvement in clinical practice.
• Differentiate clinical presentations of pelvic floor dysfunction across patient populations of different genders and across the lifespan, from pediatrics through geriatrics.
• Apply pelvic health screening principles and clinical reasoning to determine when pelvic floor dysfunction may be contributing to a patient’s primary complaint.
• Integrate pelvic health concepts into treatment planning, referral decision-making, and interdisciplinary care within general physical therapy practice.

Presenters: Danielle Moreau PT, DPT, PWCS, PRPC and Lisa Charron, PT, DPT

 Danielle Moreau, PT, DPT, PWCS, PRPC is a pelvic health physical therapist, educator, and owner of Cultivate Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy in Rhode Island. She specializes in evidence-based pelvic rehabilitation and for adolescents and adults of all genders, and has clinical experience working in outpatient private practice and outpatient hospital-based settings. In addition to her clinical practice, Danielle serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Rhode Island DPT Program, and holds faculty and lead teaching assistant positions at The Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She is passionate about advancing pelvic health knowledge across the physical therapy profession and empowering clinicians with practical, inclusive tools for everyday practice.

Lisa Charron, PT, DPT, is a pelvic health physical therapist with 10 years of experience who specializes in the treatment of pelvic health concerns such as urinary, bowel, and sexual health dysfunction, pelvic pain, and perinatal care. She has a Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy in Obstetric Health (CAPP-OB) through the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy as well as a Pelvic Health Sexuality Counseling (PHSC) Certification from Pelvic Global. She treats patients at the Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital in East Greenwich, RI