Date and Location

April 5–6, 2025

Marquette University

Schroeder Complex, 560 N. 16th St., Milwaukee, WI

Instructors

Beth Bartelsen, PT, WCS
Chuck Schwiesow, DPT, CMTPT, ATC

Course Description

This two-day course is designed as an introduction to male pelvic health for rehabilitation professionals interested in learning to treat the male or those who are looking to gain a better understanding of this patient population. Participants will be provided with evidence-based content as it relates to anatomy, sexuality, continence, conditions of the prostate, and pain in the male pelvis. Therapeutic interventions to address male pelvic floor disorders will be provided including evaluation and treatment, a functional approach to exercise and strengthening, manual therapy, biofeedback, modalities, and dietary and lifestyle modifications. Though the course will cover both internal and external techniques, many of the interventions will be applicable to clinicians interested in applying a fully external based treatment approach. Pre- and post- prostate cancer treatment rehabilitation concepts will be covered.

Course is limited to licensed PT, OT, NP, or MD professionals. 

CEUs: 15 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to:

• Identify the musculoskeletal anatomy of the male pelvis
• Understand the urinary physiology of the male
• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system
• Understand conditions specific to the prostate
• Identify musculoskeletal &/or neurological conditions that may contribute to pelvic pain
• Understand the components of a comprehensive evaluation of the male pelvic floor
• Develop evidenced-based treatment plans for conditions specific to the male pelvic floor  

Course Content

• Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System
• Anatomy of the Urinary System
• Urinary Physiology and Pathology
• Treatment For General Urinary Disorders (Including Incontinence, Urinary Urgency and Frequency and Voiding Dysfunction)
• Anatomy of the Bowel and Defecation Physiology
• The Prostate
  • Anatomy
    • Common Benign Conditions of the Prostate: Enlarged Prostate, Prostatitis

• • Prostate Cancer
    • Active Surveillance of prostate cancer
    • Non-surgical treatments for prostate cancer (ADT, radiation therapy)
    • Surgical treatments for prostate cancer
    • Pre-and post-prostatectomy rehabilitation (including the role of biofeedback)
• Anatomy And Physiology of The Male Reproductive System
• Erectile dysfunction: general population and post-prostatectomy
• Premature Ejaculation
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)
  • Type 3 / Non-bacterial prostatitis
  • The Hypertonic Pelvic Floor
  • Coccydynia
  • Orchialgia / Spermatic Cord
  • Treatment Options for Chronic Pelvic Pain
• The Flow of a Pelvic Floor Therapy Visit

Lab Description

This continuing education course includes several lab components. We will be conducting examinations of the abdominal and pelvic floor anatomy, both externally and internally. We will be approaching all techniques within the lens of trauma-informed care: consent for lab activities will be specific and ongoing, and we ask that attendees come prepared to participate as much as they are able to do so as both an examiner and as a model. There is tremendous value in serving as both the patient and the therapist during lab sessions. The lab environment will include provisions for privacy, and we will make every effort to accommodate the specific needs and requests of course participants. If you are unable to participate in lab, contact Brenda Neumann to discuss before you register.

Lab will include:

• Palpation of the extrinsic muscles of the pelvic girdle and the superficial pelvic floor muscles externally
• Palpation and strength testing of the superficial and deep pelvic floor muscles (internal and external palpation)
• Palpation of the prostate, coccyx and spermatic cord (internal and external palpation)
• Manual therapy treatment techniques to address symptoms of pelvic pain
• Yoga poses and breathing techniques for facilitation of pelvic floor elongation, relaxation, and strengthening

Testimonials

“The course was packed full of current researched based information. All my questions were answered, and I left with the knowledge that I can use all the information on my next day at the clinic,” — Remi Durojaiye PT, DPT, BCB-PMD Taforehab Pelvic and Orthopedic Wellness Physiotherapy clinic, Lagos, Nigeria 

 

Course Faculty

Beth Bartelsen, PT, WCS has been specializing as a pelvic floor physical therapist since 2002, providing pelvic health rehabilitation for both men and women. She graduated from Marquette University in 1995 with a degree in Physical Therapy. Beth earned a Certificate of Achievement (CAPP) in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy from the APTA in 2009 and a Board Certification as a Women’s Health Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS in 2015. Beth has been active in teaching within Marquette’s Physical Therapy program since 2013 where she holds an adjunct faculty position. She annually teaches the pelvic floor content to DPT students as well as teaches an Advanced Elective in Women’s Health at Marquette University. In 2013 she authored and taught a men’s health course for professionals within a Pelvic Health Symposium hosted at Marquette University. She partnered with an additional author to expand Male Pelvic Health for Rehabilitation Providers to a two-day course in 2023 and it is currently being offered annually.  Beth currently practices on a multidisciplinary team at ProHealth Care in Oconomowoc, WI, providing outpatient physical therapy for men and women with pelvic floor disorders. She also has special interest and additional training within oncology, pregnancy and postpartum, orthopedic conditions of the lumbar spine and pelvic girdle.

Chuck Schwiesow, DPT CMTPT ATC is a physical therapist at QuadMed in Sussex, Wisconsin where he treats outpatient male pelvic health, orthopedics, and sports medicine. He has served as a teaching assistant for the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and has completed Pelvic Floor Yoga^TM  Teacher Training. He is a former NFL Athletic Training intern (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). His other clinical interests include trigger point dry needling for pelvic and chronic pain, spinal manipulation, trauma-informed care, and mentorship of underrepresented students of physical therapy. Chuck graduated with a B.S. in Athletic Training from UW-La Crosse in 2008 and completed his DPT at Marquette University in 2011.