Who is best suited to undertake this course? Are there any prerequisites? 

Any physiotherapist who treats either paediatric or pelvic floor patients can undertake this course; it will be appropriate for both populations. 

What is the aim of the course? 

The aim of this course is to help physiotherapists understand the bowel and bladder issues that often occur in children with neurodevelopmental issues. 

The course will discuss difficulties for caregivers, including toilet training and medical testing, and delve into common treatments and behavioural interventions that physios can provide for these issues. 

What is a ‘neurologically involved’ client? 

Within this course, ‘neurologically involved’ refers to adults with neurological issues such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. 

What makes this course key for physiotherapists to undertake? 

This is not material that is covered in most pelvic physio courses. 

It provides practical advice for those who treat pelvic floor or neurological conditions. 

It takes a developmental approach to treating these issues and participants will take home exercises and approaches that they can immediately apply in the clinic. 

What tangible skills will participants walk away with? 

On completing this course, participants will have practical, applicable skills across several key areas. 

They will be equipped with screening questions for bowel and bladder assessment as well as knowledge of effective skills for improving bowel, bladder and sexual function in patients who have sustained a neurological issue. 

Participants will also gain the ability to make informed equipment and exercise recommendations and will develop the skills to implement behavioural interventions for bowel and bladder issues. 

‘Bowel and bladder care for the neurologically involved client’ will run:

10–11 June in Kent Town, South Australia

13–14 June in Eight Mile Plains, Queensland

19–20 June in North Ryde, New South Wales

>>>Dr Carina Siracusa is a physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience treating special populations within pelvic floor physiotherapy. She has taught courses all over the world on neurological and paediatric pelvic floor issues. She is board-certified in pelvic floor and oncological physiotherapy. Carina holds a doctorate in physiotherapy and education.