Advancing Pelvic Health Physical Therapy: Bridging the Gap in South Korea

Introduction

My name is Joy Hyunjeong Jang, a member of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, and I am thrilled to share with you the incredible journey of hosting pelvic health physical therapy courses in South Korea. In collaboration with my esteemed colleague, Dr. Cheong Kim of MovEDU, we embarked on a mission to introduce and educate Korean physical therapists in this specialized field. Through the efforts of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, we were able to bring these courses to life, even in the midst of a global pandemic. In this blog post, I will take you through the journey of how this course came to be, the current state of pelvic and obstetric health physical therapy in South Korea, and the cultural differences we encountered along the way.

The Birth of a Vision

I graduated from the School of Physical Therapy in South Korea in 2003. Later, in 2014, I earned my PhD in Physical Therapy from the University of Daejeon, South Korea. Until then, I focused primarily on musculoskeletal physical therapy, working as a clinician, researcher, and educator.

The story of bringing pelvic health physical therapy courses to South Korea began with a serendipitous encounter at the World Physiotherapy Congress in Singapore in 2015. It was there that I met Dr. Rebecca Stephenson, the then President of the International Women’s Health Physical Therapy (IOPPWH), who introduced me to the fascinating world of women's health physical therapy. This moment sparked my passion for this specialized field, leading me to complete my Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Driven by a desire to share this knowledge with my fellow Koreans, I joined forces with Dr. Cheong Kim at MovEDU based in Seoul, South Korea to make it a reality.

The Role of Dr. Kim

Dr. Cheong Kim, with his impressive credentials and extensive background in physical therapy, played a pivotal role in hosting these courses. His expertise and dedication were instrumental in course planning and operation. Together, we worked tirelessly to inform and raise awareness among Korean physical therapists about the importance of pelvic health physical therapy and how the Academy courses could benefit them.

The State of Pelvic and Obstetric Health PT in South Korea

Currently, South Korea does not have a specialized field of pelvic/women’s health physical therapy. While some physical therapists provide prenatal and postpartum management services, it remains rare for them to prescribe and treat prenatal and postpartum physical therapy in clinical settings. Additionally, physical therapy for urinary incontinence or pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is virtually unfamiliar in Korea, with some traditional medical doctors providing treatments for pelvic floor dysfunctions through different methods.

Cultural Considerations

One might expect cultural differences to pose challenges when conducting internal pelvic floor internal evaluations and treatments in different countries. Surprisingly, we found that most Korean participants understood the rationale behind these practices through theoretical background education. While the practice of internal exams may initially seem unfamiliar, it is more related to the clinical practice being less common than a significant cultural difference. Therefore, it is crucial to change perceptions through education.

The Importance of Pelvic Health Education in South Korea

Why is this education essential in South Korea? The answer is simple: there are people in Korea who suffer from pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and postpartum periods. They deserve high-quality treatment options that go beyond medical interventions, such as medication and surgery. Pelvic health physical therapy provides a safe and conservative treatment approach, making it a vital choice for those in need. Our goal is to train and develop pelvic health professionals with specialized knowledge in this area, thus improving the quality of care for these individuals.

The Joy of Hosting These Courses

The most rewarding aspect of hosting these courses was witnessing the transformation that occurred during our in-person lab courses. It was truly a remarkable experience to see Korean clinicians, who were beginning to show interest in this field, and American advanced pelvic health clinicians, who had been practicing for a long time, coming together with a shared goal of helping women with pelvic health problems. It marked the beginning of a new era in physical therapy in Korea, and the joy of being a part of this historic moment was indescribable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of hosting pelvic health physical therapy courses in South Korea has been an incredible adventure. Dr. Kim and I, along with the support of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy have paved the way for a brighter future for pelvic health in our country. With education and awareness, we are confident that pelvic health physical therapy will become an essential part of healthcare in South Korea, benefiting countless individuals in need. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to the continued growth of this important field.