Pelvic Floor Therapy for the Person With Spinal Cord Injury
Presented by Carina Siracusa
This course provides an essential guide for rehabilitation professionals managing the complex pelvic health needs of individuals following spinal cord injury. Practitioners often face significant gaps in training regarding the behavioral and clinical management of neurogenic bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction for this population. Through this evidence-based curriculum, learners will explore the neurological impact of spinal cord injuries on bowel and bladder function and how these deficits manifest in daily function. The instructor details comprehensive evaluation strategies, including subjective interviewing and physical assessment techniques tailored for patients with varying ASIA levels. Participants will gain practical knowledge on multidisciplinary treatment approaches, behavioral interventions, and the selection of adaptive equipment to promote independence and improve quality of life. By bridging the gap between general pelvic health and neurological rehabilitation, this course empowers therapists to deliver holistic, life-changing care.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the common bladder, bowel, and sexual function deficits experienced by a person with a spinal cord injury
- Create a behavioral plan for a patient with neurogenic bowel and bladder to improve function
- Develop a pelvic floor evaluation for a patient with a spinal cord injury
- Develop a comprehensive treatment program for a patient with a spinal cord injury and neurogenic bowel and bladder
- Create a patient education program for the spinal cord community on sexual dysfunction after spinal cord injury
- Identify adaptive equipment needed for bowel, bladder, and sexual function after spinal cord injury
Meet your instructor
Carina Siracusa
Dr. Carina Siracusa has been a practicing physical therapist since she graduated from Ohio University with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2005. She has practiced in the areas of pediatric, neurologic, oncologic, and pelvic floor physical therapy in her tenure as a physical therapist. She is an assistant professor at…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Introduction to Bowel, Bladder, and Sexual Function in People With Spinal Cord Injuries
This chapter reviews the neurological innervation of the pelvic organs and explains how spinal cord lesions impact autonomic and somatic control. Learners will examine the differences between hyperreflexic and areflexic bladder and bowel types to better anticipate clinical needs.
2. Evaluation of Bowel, Bladder, and Sexual Function
Practitioners will learn to conduct a thorough pelvic floor evaluation for the neurologic population, focusing on sensation, motor testing, and functional mobility screens. The content emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary coordination and wheelchair seating assessments in the evaluation process.
3. Treatment of Bowel, Bladder, and Sexual Function
This chapter details behavioral techniques, catheterization schedules, and bowel management programs designed to maximize patient independence. The instructor demonstrates various equipment options and therapeutic modalities, such as abdominal massage and TENS, to optimize outcomes for neurogenic dysfunction.
More courses in this series
Bowel and Bladder Treatment for Infants
Carina Siracusa
Bowel and Bladder Treatment for Older Children
Carina Siracusa
Pelvic Floor Therapy in the Patient With CVA or MS
Carina Siracusa
Pelvic Floor Therapy for the Person With Spinal Cord Injury
Carina Siracusa
Physical Therapy for Pelvic Pain
Carina Siracusa
Physical Therapy for Pelvic Surgeries
Carina Siracusa
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Medbridge courses.
Who creates Medbridge courses?
We work with industry-leaders, top researchers, and consultants to build content roadmaps that are then structured into courses, filmed, and edited by our production team before being launched to our site.
How often does Medbridge release new courses?
New courses are added monthly and are automatically included in your subscription as they launch.
How often does Medbridge update courses?
Medbridge reviews its courses annually for relevance and to assess if content is up to date. Based on these reviews it may be determined that a course is out of date resulting in the course being re-filmed or retired, if the content is no longer needed (e.g. a replacement course already exists, the concepts are no longer best practice, etc.).
How many courses does Medbridge offer?
We have over 3,000 accredited courses and we are continually updating our library with new courses. Check our course library for the most up-to-date count for your discipline.
Are there any additional fees for taking a Medbridge course?
There are no additional fees for taking a Medbridge course, obtaining a course certificate of completion, earning CEUs as a subscriber, or accessing any of the additional tools your subscription may include.
Is there a limit to the number of courses I can take?
There is no limit to the number of courses you can take as a subscriber! As a subscriber to Medbridge, you have unlimited access to over 3,000+ accredited CE courses.
If you are a Premium subscriber, you also have unlimited access to our Patient Engagement Tools such as the Home Exercise Program, Patient Education Library, Orthopedic Exam Tests, and Manual Therapy Techniques. We have over 7,000 exercises and over 650+ videos and handouts of patient education resources with more exercises and patient education added to the library based on subscriber feedback, volume of request and specialities.
What is your refund policy?
You are eligible for a refund provided your request is received within 30 days of your subscription purchase and your account has no activity.