Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is rarely the result of pelvic floor impairment alone. Modern rehabilitation emphasizes a whole-system perspective—integrating the thorax, diaphragm, abdominal wall, hip complex, and movement patterns influencing intra-abdominal pressure.
This 0.5-hour (30 minute) CEU course synthesizes current peer-reviewed evidence, including insights drawn from a 2025 JOSPT case study, to help clinicians identify multisystem contributors to SUI and apply a practical, stepwise clinical reasoning framework. Through explanatory modules, an original case scenario, an engaging summary podcast, and a structured intervention model, learners gain immediately applicable strategies for improving continence, functional movement, and patient outcomes.
📘 Course Overview
This .5 CEU (30 Minutes) CEU course for healthcare providers is built upon the findings of a rigorous systematic review and network meta-analysis that assessed fall prevention interventions for community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. The evidence reveals that the most reliable benefits, sustained over 1–2 years, come from supervised, long-duration balance/resistance training and group Tai Chi.
Crucially, the review highlights that patients consider admission to long-term care as the outcome with the highest negative impact (disutility), making fractures and LTC admission highly patient-important outcomes that interventions should target. Therefore, optimal clinical decision-making must integrate this strong empirical evidence with individual patient preferences, noting that individual balance/resistance programs are often clearly preferred over group settings for patient acceptability
Perfect for busy professionals, this microlearning course offers clear guidance, actionable interventions, and research-supported insights on fall prevention strategies that you can apply immediately in patient care.
⭐ Course Outline (0.5 CEU | 30 Minutes)
Module 1 — Understanding Stress Urinary Incontinence Through a Multisystem Lens
- Overview of stress urinary incontinence as a movement-system problem
- The roles of the thorax, diaphragm, hips, and abdominal wall
- How posture, breathing, and pressure management influence continence
- Evidence context and research basis for the multisystem model
Module 2 — Case-Based Clinical Reasoning
- Introduction to an original patient scenario
- Identifying primary system drivers (thorax, hip complex, pelvic floor, IAP)
- Clinical reasoning algorithm for sequencing evaluation and intervention
- Key decision points and common clinical patterns
Module 3 — Integrated Rehabilitation Framework
- Restoring thoracic and rib mobility to optimize diaphragm–pelvic floor synergy
- Mobility and alignment strategies to improve pressure distribution
- Endurance-based strengthening for the hips, core, and pelvic floor
- Functional progressions aligned with patient-specific symptom triggers
- Putting the system together in real-world clinical application
Assessment
- 5-question knowledge check aligned with course objectives
Supplementary Learning
- 10–15 minute podcast episode summarizing evidence insights and clinical applications
Following completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the multisystem contributors to stress urinary incontinence within a movement-system framework.
- Identify key musculoskeletal, breathing, and postural impairments that influence intra-abdominal pressure and continence.
- Recognize when hip, thoracic, and core impairments may be primary drivers of functional SUI even when pelvic floor strength appears adequate.
- Apply a stepwise clinical reasoning algorithm to guide evaluation and treatment sequencing.
- Select appropriate strengthening, mobility, and breathing interventions based on functional pelvic floor presentation and movement demands.
- Discuss the clinical role of endurance-focused loading approaches (such as low-load, high-repetition strengthening) in improving pressure management and symptom control.
This course meets the continuing education requirements for CEU credit set forth by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy.
Learners who complete all course requirements will earn .50 (30 min) CEU credit.
A CEU certificate of completion will be immediately available in your Dashboard.
Dr. T-Michael Dougherty, PTA, MPA, Ed.D.
Dr. Dougherty is a licensed PTA, founding PTA program director, and experienced healthcare educator with extensive clinical, administrative, and policy leadership experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management), a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Instructional Technology. Dr. Dougherty is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MasteryPathways.org, a continuing education and professional development platform dedicated to elevating healthcare learning through the integration of contemporary learning science, evidence-based learning strategies, and innovative instructional technologies.
With a clinical background in manual therapy of the spine, vestibular rehabilitation, and rehabilitation department leadership, Dr. Dougherty brings more than two decades of applied patient-care experience across outpatient, acute, and long-term care settings. He has contributed to state-level healthcare policy development, currently serving as Chair of the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy, a former member of the Alabama Physical Therapy Association Board of Directors, and an advocate for professional legislation including Direct Access, the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, and long-term care regulatory improvements.
Who is this course designed for?
This course is intended for licensed rehabilitation professionals—including physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and other clinicians—who want a concise, evidence-based update on contemporary strategies for evaluating and managing stress urinary incontinence using a multisystem approach.
Do I need prior pelvic health specialization or certification to take this course?
No. This course is designed to be immediately accessible to clinicians with general orthopedic, neurological, or outpatient backgrounds. All concepts are explained clearly using functional musculoskeletal language. Pelvic health specialists will also find value in the broader multisystem integration framework.
Is this course based on research?
Yes. This course synthesizes current evidence from peer-reviewed literature, including insights from a 2025 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Cases publication on multimodal rehabilitation for stress urinary incontinence, along with other contemporary research on movement systems, breathing mechanics, and pelvic floor function.
Does this course require any special software or materials?
No. The entire course is completed online through your Mastery Pathways learner dashboard. All modules, podcast content, and learning assessments are accessible on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Are refunds available if I accidentally purchase the wrong course?
Refunds follow the Mastery Pathways refund policy, which states that due to the nature of online digital course offerings, refunds for courses that have been initiated or have resulted in a certificate are not provided. However, if the course has not been started, a refund or course exchange may be available. Please contact support for assistance.
