If you are travelling to attend this course/practical from outside of the province/country where you are registered to practice, please make sure you inquire with the College of the province where you are traveling to as to whether you require a temporary/courtesy licence.
Two-part format course:
The lecture component of the course will take place live-online June 21, 2025, from 10:00am to 6:30pm ET (Toronto). By attending live, you’ll be able to harness the benefits of live discussions, timely feedback, and a collaborative environment.
In-Person Labs - to be completed in-person on June 22, 2025, at various set locations: Vaughan, ON (more locations to be announced!). Attendance of both sessions (lecture and practical) is mandatory.
Please email info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca to inquire about other practical locations if not able to attend one currently listed).
Course Description:
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. 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.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, 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 a physical therapy 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 psychomotor 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.
Audience: This course is open to physiotherapists, naturopathic doctors, nurses and medical doctors (and other professionals that have internal palpation within their scope of practice).
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/behavioural contributions.
Prerequisites: Level 1 (or equivalent) and experience performing internal/external anorectal examinations. (Please email info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca for approval of equivalent).
Registration Form
Schedule
Date/time:
Live-online lecture - June 21, 2025, from 10:00am - 6:30pm ET (Toronto).
In-Person Labs - June 22, 2025, from 9:00am-3:00pm at various set locations: Vaughan, ON (more locations to be announced!). Attendance of both sessions (lecture and practical) is mandatory.
Please email info@pelvichealthsolutions.ca to inquire about other practical locations if not able to attend one currently listed).
Instructor
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.