Persistent Pelvic Pain in Athletes: A Biopsychosocial Approach

Persistent Pelvic Pain in Athletes: A Biopsychosocial Approach

Julie Wiebe, PT

Course Tools

Course Description:

Persistent pelvic pain (internal) in athletes is not well understood. This 1.25-hour discussion will explore the interconnected anatomical, neuromuscular, physiologic, and psychosocial systems that can contribute to the development of pelvic pain in athletes. Specific consideration of the added complexity and amplification of symptoms created by the athletic mindset, post-injury loss of sport and community, sleep deficits, kinesiophobia, and high-level return to performance demands for competitive athletes will be explored. Research updates will further participant understanding of the role of pelvic floor overactivity in athletic pelvic health needs. Finally, a case study describing the clinical course of a professional iron distance triathlete with persistent hip and pelvic pain will provide a framework for the discussion of biopsychosocial strategies to support symptom resolution and return to sport. (See a brief introduction HERE)

(Recorded live in March 2024 at a CEU'ed Virtual Event Co-hosted by the APTA-Michigan Pain Special Interest Group and APTA-Michigan Eastern District. This online version of the course is eligible for 1 CEU credit for Michigan Licensed PTs only- and fulfills the Pain Science relicensure requirement).

Schedule:

  • Understanding Pelvic Pain: Terminology, biopsychosocial contributors (10 min)
  • Pelvic floor functional, physiologic, and anatomical inter-relationships (10 min)
  • Biopsychosocial Athletic considerations (10 min)
  • Case Study: Meet Kate- Professional Iron-Distance Triathlete (20 min)
  • Q and A- (10 min)


Course Objectives

  1. Describe the anatomical, physiologic, and functional inter-relationships between the hip complex, postural control, and pelvic health systems as a therapeutic bridge between musculoskeletal, performance, and pelvic health considerations.
  2. Articulate the added biopsychosocial complexities of the athletic mindset on persistent pelvic pain, particularly in the context of high-performance demands, post-injury challenges, and the loss of sport and community.
  3. Discuss the role of pelvic floor overactivity in persistent pelvic pain in athletic individuals.
  4. Value abdominopelvic health and access to fitness of choice as components of whole person care.

Course Audience

This course is designed for health and fitness professionals. All participants should apply the information within their State/jurisdictional scope of practice.

I need a Certificate of Completion

Once you complete the course you will receive a certificate of completion through Teachable. This course has been pre-approved by the state of Michigan through CEU Locker for 1 contact hour.

Is the course eligible for CEU's?

This course has been pre-approved by the state of Michigan through CEU Locker for 1 contact hour.

Computer Compatibility Needs

This course is hosted on the teachable.com online streaming service designed to handle any system setup. So if you have a computer and an internet connection you should have access without issue. If you have issues with a slower bandwidth connection then you can change the video settings to a lower quality to help improve any loading issues.

Course Curriculum


  Persistent Pelvic Pain in Athletes: A Biopsychosocial Approach
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Your Instructor


Julie Wiebe, PT, DPT
Julie Wiebe, PT, DPT

Julie Wiebe, PT, DPT has over twenty-five years of clinical experience in Sports Medicine and Pelvic Health, specializing in abdominopelvic, pregnancy and postpartum health for fit and athletic populations. Her passion is to return active patients to fitness and sport after injury and pregnancy and equip professionals to do the same. She has pioneered an integrative approach to promote pelvic health in and through movement and fitness. These strategies have been successful incorporated by medical providers, rehab practitioners, and fitness professionals into a variety of populations (orthopedics, sports medicine, pelvic health, neurology, and pediatrics). Dr. Wiebe is a sought-after speaker delivering evidenced-based continuing education coursework, lectures, and curriculum at academic institutions, clinics, conferences, and professional organizations internationally. A published author, her research interests focus on the interplay of athleticism and pelvic health to inform screening tools and multifactorial intervention strategies. Julie provides direct cash-based care to fit and athletic populations through telehealth and her clinical practice.


Frequently Asked Questions


How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
Can I share the course with a friend or colleague? How does the group discount work?
Each course purchase is for a single viewer only, and may not be shared. If you are interested in group/staff viewing, please contact admin at [email protected] to arrange a group discount code specifically for your group. The larger the group, the larger the discount. Each individual must purchase separately with the discount code, and agree to the terms and conditions (legal). This provides each participant with their own copy to review at their pace, in addition to the opportunity to interact with colleagues as you all work collectively through the material. Real time group online mentoring for Q and A is available with Julie to support your distance learning as you work through each module or after completing the course. Contact admin at [email protected] to set up a group discount and group mentoring.

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