The bigger picture in assessing pelvic floor problems with physiotherapist Dr. Judith Thompson

Dr. Judith Thompson, PhD FACP, is a Specialist Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist in Perth, Western Australia. She joins me in this episode to discuss

how she came to study and treat the pelvic floor within a system rather than independently.

She gives us insight on how she uses real time ultrasound to assess pelvic floor problems and the relationship of pelvic floor muscles to IAP. We discussed her background in research on IAP and advice on whether women should do sit-ups. Her other passion in this field revolves around pelvic pain, in which she works alongside Professor Peter O'Sullivan (whom was on this podcast two episodes previously).

She also fills us in how what is involved with post graduate courses and a Master's degree in this field through Curtin University.

Here is more of Dr. Thompson's bio (including her publications at the bottom of this page - of which you should read all of them :)):

Judith qualified as Physiotherapist at Guy’s Hospital London 1980

Practising in the area of Continence and Women’s Health since 1992
Completed post-graduate diploma in continence and women’s health at Curtin University 1994
Completed PhD at Curtin University in 2006 investigating the use of real time ultrasound as a method of assessment for women with pelvic floor dysfunction
Current co-ordinator and lecturer on the post graduate masters program in clinical physiotherapy- continence and women’s health major at Curtin University
Currently practising as a specialist continence and women’s health physiotherapist in private practise at Body Logic Physiotherapy, Shenton Park, Perth WA.
Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists in the area of Continence and Women’s Health in Nov 2008

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode and leave a review in iTunes (via searching for the podcast in the search section on the Podcast app on iTunes...they don't make it easy :)). You giving a review helps this podcast to reach out to more people!

The episdoes will be available in iTunes, Stitcher and Soundcloud.

This episode was brought to you by:

Publications

Thompson J, O'Sullivan P. Levator plate movement during voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction in subjects with incontinence and prolapse: A cross sectional study and review. Int Urogynecol Jnl, 2003 12(4) 84-88.

Thompson J, O'Sullivan P, Briffa K, Court S. A comparison between transperineal and transabdominal ultrasound in the assessment of women performing pelvic floor exercises Australian and New Zealand Continence Jnl, 2003 9(4) 92-93.

Thompson J, O’Sullivan P, Briffa K, Court S. Assessment of pelvic floor movement using transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound. Int Urogynecol Jnl, 2005 16(4) 285-292.

Thompson J, O'Sullivan P, Briffa K, Neumann P. Differences in muscle activation patterns during pelvic floor muscle contraction and Valsalva manoeuvre. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 2006 25(2) 148-155.

Thompson J, O'Sullivan P, Briffa K, Neumann P. Altered muscle activation patterns in symptomatic women during pelvic floor muscle contraction and Valsalva manoeuvre. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 2006 25 (3) 268-76.

Thompson J, O'Sullivan P, Briffa K, Neumann P. Assessment of voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction in continent and incontinent women using transperineal ultrasound, manual muscle testing and vaginal pressure measurements. Int Urogynecol Jnl, 2006, 17(6), 624-630.

Thompson J, O'Sullivan P, Briffa K, Neumann P. Comparison of transperineal and transabdominal ultrasound in the assessment of voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions and functional manouevres in continent and incontinent women. Int Urogynecol Jnl 2007, 18(7):779-786.

Kelly M, Tan BK, Thompson J, Carroll S, Follington M, Arndt A, Seet M. Displacement and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles in healthy males and females: a comparison between standing and crook-lying. Aust J Physiother 2007, 53(3):187-191.

Whittaker J, Thompson J, Teyhen D, Hodges P, Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: and the Pelvic Floor Muscles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2007, 37(8):487-498.

Thompson J, Sherburn M, 2D Realtime ultrasound for pelvic floor muscle assessment. Aust J Physiothe 2011, 57(1) 59

Neumann P, Scammell A, Burnett A, Thompson J, Briffa NK, Training of Australia health care providers in pessary management for women with pelvic organ prolapse: outcomes of a novel program. Aust NZ continence Jnl, 2015, 21(1)

Beales D ,LutzA, Thompson J, Wand B, O’sullivan P, Disturbed body perception, reduced sleep, and kinesiophobia in subjects with pregnancy-related persistent lumbopelvic pain and moderate levels of disability: An exploratory study. Man Therapy, 2016, Feb: 21,69-75. Epub 2015 May 1.

Barton A, Serrao C, Thompson J Briffa NK, Transabdominal ultrasound to assess pelvic floor muscle performance during abdominal curl in exercising women. Int Urogynecol Jnl, Jul 28 2015, Dec;26(12):1789-95. Epub 2015 Jul 28

McKenzie S, Watson T, Thompson J Briffa NK . Stress urinary incontinence is highly prevalent in recreationally active women attending gyms or exercise classes. Int Urogynecol Jnl, Aug 2016, Vol 27, Issue 8, pp1175-1184. Epub 2016 Feb 10

Simpson S, Debble M, Thompson J, Andrews A, Briffa NK. Should women with incontinence and Prolapse do abdominal curls? Int Urogynecol Jnl, Oct 2016, Vol 27, Issue 10, pp 1507-1512. Epub 2016 April 1

Goetze E, McLean K, Thompson J, Jacques A, Briffa K. A scoping study of paediatric continence service provision in the Great Southerern Region of Western Australia. Aus and NZ Continence Jnl, Winter 2016, Vol 22 No2, pp 32-38.

Conlan L, Thompson J, Fary R. An exploration of the efficacy of telehealth in the assessment and management of stress urinary incontinence among women in rural locations. Aus and NZ Continence Jnl, Spring 2016, Vol 22 No3, pp 58-64.