What Do You Do When You Ask Someone To Visualize Their Pelvic Floor and They Can't?

What We Know:

Explicit motor skill learning principles are recommended to teach patients pelvic floor exercises. Motor Imagery is often used during the initial phase of motor skill learning.

Motor Imagery deficits are known to exist in a variety of people. This includes people with Atypical Handedness (regardless of education level), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and some people with long term motor control deficits in a region. An atypical birth history and early life experience are risk factors.

The vestibular system plays a role in the central processes required for body awareness and motor imagery. Note: The role of the vestibular system is much more profound than you are likely aware (vast projections, significant role in body image!).

Stimulating the vestibular system through the vestibular driven primitive reflexes used during the neurodevelopmental process is effective in improving motor imagery.

Motor imagery is a useful surrogate short term outcome measure

Do you know how to: assess motor imagery? Assess handedness? Rehabilitate motor imagery?

Want to Learn?

Ottawa, Canada: March 6-8, 2020: Primitive Reflex & Motor Skill Learning

Barcelona, Spain: March 20-22, 2020: Primitive Reflex & Motor Skill Learning

Toronto, Canada: May 2-3: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Primitive Reflexes for Pelvic Health 

Warsaw, Poland: May 8-10: Primitive Reflexes

Warsaw, Poland: May 11-13: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Advanced Primitive Reflexes

Harrogate, UK: May 16-17: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Advanced Primitive Reflexes

Montreal, Canada: June 5-7: Body Image, Motor Skill Learning & Advanced Primitive Reflexes for Pelvic Health 

Milan, Italy: June 19-21: Advanced Concussion & Body Image

Email for a course brochure: stabilityphysio@gmail.com

Interested in hosting a course? Contact us: stabilityphysio@gmail.com

Testimonials

“I can't recommend Sean Gibbons and Smarterehab courses enough. I have found the sub-classification system to be easy to use and revolutionary in removing a lot of the guesswork in my patient management. The courses have been transformative in my practice in that it has wide applicability across a spectrum of conditions that would normally constitute ‘difficult’ patients. I can't recommend these courses highly enough! Chris Barber MCSP BSc (Hons) Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapist, Director: Advanced Physiotherapy Centres Ltd.

As a clinic owner and have seen a trend in Canadian physiotherapy towards spinal manipulation and needling techniques. While these techniques are valuable, the transformative learning that takes place in a SmarteRehab course is the direction I am dedicated to bringing our profession. As Physiotherapists, if we wish to distinguish ourselves from chiropractors, massage therapists, athletic therapists, osteopaths etc., we need to move away from technique based therapy. Sean is masterful at explaining the complex relationship between Central Sensitization, Central Pain, Sensori-Motor Function and how it relates to Motor Control dysfunction and pain. No other approach I have seen, heard of, or even read about does such a complete job of integrating neurological rehabilitation techniques and treatment. I now have junior therapists who are able to reason their way through the most complex of chronic pain cases and can formulate treatment plans that are effective and get results. Most importantly they can explain to these patients the nature of their problem in a way that they can understand. It is so rewarding to see patients, empowered with this knowledge, resolve problems that have sometimes existed for decades. Equally as rewarding is watching a junior Physio quickly solve by identifying the underlying movement dysfunction and easily explaining it’s cause. Thank you for what you have done and continue to do for our Profession. Dave Holmes Owner and Physiotherapist at Tower Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine 

If you find yourself stuck and frustrated with chronic, generalized, weird pain patients who don't respond to usual treatments, this is what this course is all about. Sean's courses are truly unique and bring practical, guidelines that are untouched by other institutions. Places are limited. Jean-Michel Cormier, Physiotherapist Max Health Institute, Shediac, NB, Canada

The courses that I have taken with Sean have completely changed my pelvic floor practice and the way I practice as a physical therapist! Sean's courses are a must in order to help a variety of clientele and especially those who do not respond to conventional treatments! He has researched and developed new techniques that are essential for pelvic floor therapists. Erica Lafontant, pht, B. Sc, M.Sc.A Rééducation périnéale et . Action Physio. Ville Mont-Royal, QC,

Sean Gibbons graduated from Manchester University in 1995. He has been rehabilitating movement patterns for over 20 years. He is an international expert in specific motor control exercise and has researched and developed numerous advances the cognitive control of movement to make the rehab process better. These include predicting who can learn, understanding who can learn but will not respond, and integrating which postural and primitive reflexes influence movement and key aspects neurodevelopment. was on the development of a prescriptive clinical prediction rule for specific motor control exercises in low back pain. Key new sub-classifications were identified: Neurological Factors, which are related to poor movement and the ability to learn; Midline as a sensory system which is critical to Body Image Pain; and Neuro-Immune dysregulation, which is critical for Central Sensitization and Psychosocial Factors. His current work involves further researching the sub-classification model. His dissection and research into psoas major, gluteus maximus and other muscles led to the development of new rehabilitation options. He has presented his research at national and international conferences and has several journal publications and book chapters. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster's Advanced Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal / Manipulative Physiotherapy specialization and lectures at Manchester Metropolitan University's Masters in Advanced Physiotherapy program.