Pediatric Pelvic Health: Clinical Considerations for Physical Therapists

Virtual course.  Continuing Competencies Awarded

This is an introductory online educational session designed for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students interested in expanding their knowledge of pediatric pelvic health. The presentation will provide an overview of common pediatric pelvic floor conditions, including bowel and bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain and toileting challenges, while highlighting the role of the physical therapist in evaluation, treatment, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This live virtual presentation will combine evidence-based instruction with clinical case examples and opportunities for participant discussion and questions. Learners can expect to gain a foundational understanding of pediatric pelvic health, recognize common clinical presentations and red flags, identify appropriate assessment and treatment strategies, and better understand when referral to specialized providers is indicated.
As awareness of pediatric pelvic health continues to grow, physical therapists are increasingly encountering children with pelvic floor dysfunction across a variety of practice settings. Expanding clinicians’ knowledge in this area supports earlier recognition, timely intervention, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved quality of life for pediatric patients and their families.

Objectives:

● Identify evidence-based first-line physical therapy interventions for pediatric bowel and bladder dysfunction.
● Differentiate pediatric patients who can be managed by a pediatric physical therapist from those who would benefit from referral to a pediatric pelvic health physical or occupational therapist.
● Recognize clinical signs and symptoms and red flags that warrant referral to specialists, including pediatric gastroenterology and urology.
● Identify psychosocial factors and clinical presentations that indicate the need for referral to a mental health professional as part of an interdisciplinary care team.

Presented by

Anna Benedix, PT, DPT, PWCS, CLT (She/Her)

Anna Benedix is a pelvic health and lymphedema physical therapist with 14 years experience treating patients of all genders across the lifespan. Anna currently practices at Emerson Health in Westford.

Anna has experience treating pelvic health across the lifespan for all genders. Anna began treating pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2012, collaborating with Dr. Belkind-Gerson and Dr. Zar-Kessler to publish Benefit of pelvic floor physical therapy in pediatric patients with dyssynergic defecation constipation in 2019. At Emerson Health, Anna serves as a clinical mentor in pelvic health and lymphedema. Anna additionally engages in community outreach and is a guest lecturer at UML.

Noam Eitan, PT DPT PWCS (She/Her)

Noam Eitan, PT, DPT, PWCS, is a board-certified Pelvic and Women’s Health Clinical Specialist with 16 of clinical experience in orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapy. She is the owner of Innherself Pelvic Health, a solo pelvic health practice in Brookline, MA, and also practices as a pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist at Rehab Health 360 in Acton, MA.
Noam has extensive experience treating pelvic health conditions across the lifespan for all genders. In addition to her clinical work, Noam serves as a clinical instructor and guest lecturer, mentors clinicians entering pelvic health practice, provides professional and community education on a wide range of pelvic health topics, and actively participates in pelvic health advocacy efforts aimed at improving access to care and advancing the profession.