Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - The Missing Link in Persistent LBP?
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - The Missing Link in Persistent LBP?
This course includes
The instructors
Overview
Explore how pelvic floor dysfunction may play a key role in persistent low back pain — a connection often overlooked in clinical practice. In this evidence-based online course, expert educator Carolyn Vandyken reframes how clinicians assess and manage chronic low back pain using a biopsychosocial lens, highlighting why addressing the pelvic floor matters for better outcomes.
This lecture was filmed at the San Diego Pain Summit, and blends pain science with practical clinical insights. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the neurophysiological connection between the pelvic floor and the lumbar spine and discover strategies to integrate this knowledge into your practice.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
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Rethink the “bio” in the biopsychosocial model when it comes to persistent low back pain.
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Understand key research linking pelvic floor function to low back pain symptoms.
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Recognize clinical signs like pelvic floor tenderness and interpret movement tests such as a forced FABER.
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Identify ways to broaden your assessment and treatment approach to include pelvic floor considerations.
Who Should Take This Course
This course is ideal for rehabilitation professionals and movement specialists who want to deepen their understanding of low back pain and pelvic floor interactions, including:
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Physiotherapists and assistants
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Occupational therapists
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Chiropractors
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Athletic therapists
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Massage and exercise therapists
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Midwives, nurses, and medical doctors
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Yoga therapists and movement educators
Whether you’re new to pelvic health or expanding your clinical toolbox, this course provides valuable insights for more holistic patient care.
Included Materials
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Video lessons broken down into bite-sized segments for easy learning
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Case-based discussion and key clinical takeaways
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Review quiz to reinforce learning
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Certificate of completion to support your professional development
Why This Matters
Many clinicians tend to treat low back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in isolation. This course inspires a shift to a broader, more connected clinical perspective — helping you make more informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.
The instructors
BHSc (PT)
Carolyn is the co-owner of Reframe Rehab, a teaching company engaged in breaking down the barriers internationally between pelvic health, orthopaedics and pain science. Carolyn has practiced in orthopaedics and pelvic health for the past 37 years. She is a McKenzie Credentialled physiotherapist (1999), certified in acupuncture (2002), and obtained a certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in 2017.
Carolyn received the YWCA Women of Distinction award (2004) and the distinguished Education Award from the OPA (2015). Carolyn was recently awarded the Medal of Distinction from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2021 for her work in pelvic health and pain science.
Carolyn has been heavily involved in post-graduate pelvic health education, research in lumbopelvic pain, speaking at numerous international conferences and writing books and chapters for the past twenty years in pelvic health, orthopaedics and pain science.
Material included in this course
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Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - The Missing Link in Persistent LBP?
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LBP Study
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Pelvic Floor Tenderness
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Changes To Our Practice
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Questions
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Quiz
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Feedback
Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion (including learning hours and course information) will be generated. You can download this certificate at any time. To learn more about course certificates on Embodia please visit this guide.
This can be used for continuing education credits, depending on your professional college or association. If this course has been approved for CEUs in specific jurisdictions, it will be noted on the course page and CEU information may be added to your course certificate. Please read this guide for more information.
Why is this course only available to Embodia Members?
This course is included as part of an Embodia Membership, which gives you access to a growing library of evidence-informed courses, tools, and clinical resources — all in one place.
Rather than purchasing this course individually, Embodia Members can watch it (and many others) as part of their membership, making it easier and more affordable to continue learning, stay current, and support their clinical practice.
If you’re not yet a member, you can explore membership options and unlock this course — plus hundreds of hours of additional education — by joining Embodia.