The Role of the Physical Therapist in Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

1 Contact Hour

Do You Know the Difference between IBS and IBD? The difference between IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is vast. IBS is a functional bowel syndrome. IBD is an autoimmune disease that is diagnosed via biopsy and impacts bowel function, along with many other systems. Yet confusion surrounding their differences persists. At the completion of this course, therapists will understand the medical complexities of IBD and will be prepared to screen, treat or refer out for them.

This course will identify the diseases that are included under the umbrella of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and explain the distinction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, compared to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It will outline medical treatments for IBD, including the ladder of medications from “top down” and “bottom up” approaches. It will discuss common side effects of these medications, particularly as they potentially pertain to successful physical therapy outcomes. Subtopics will include sarcopenia, fatigue, pelvic floor dysfunction, low bone density and extraintestinal arthritis.

Learner Objectives:

• Course participants will be able to identify at least four characteristics of IBD that should result in a physical therapy referral
• Course participants will be able to classify the three categories of medications that are commonly used to treat IBD
• Course participants will explain potential disease effects and/or medication side effects that can negatively impact a patient’s ability to progress in a linear fashion with physical therapy
• Course participants will identify red flags that warrant referral to either the managing gastroenterologist or a different medical provider

Nancy Cullinane, PT, DPT, MHS, Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist

Nancy is a board-certified pelvic health specialist at Overlake Hospital; Clinics in Bellevue, WA. She earned her PT Certificate from Mayo School of Health Sciences, a Master’s in Orthopedic PT from UIndy and a tDPT from the University of Montana. In addition to clinical practice, she works on a Quality Improvement project measuring OB PT outcomes within the Overlake Hospital system and co-coordinates a Low-Bone Density program. Nancy has served as a teaching assistant for APTA's Academy of Pelvic Health and for the Visceral Mobilization courses within Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She has also served as a volunteer instructor at Kenya Medical Training College in Nairobi through the Jackson Clinics Foundation.

She has spent one term as an item writer for the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) within ABSPT and is a current member of APTA’s Health Systems Council. Along with a small group of interested PTs, and Christy is working with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation to bring education regarding PT into both their Patient and Provider education programs.

Christine Morgan, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist

Christy Morgan is a board-certified specialist in sports physical therapy. She is an assistant professor for Florida Southern College School of Physical Therapy in Lakeland, FL. She teaches on the topics of pelvic health and sports in the DPT curriculum. She actively practices evaluating and treating college athletes and at a pro bono clinic. She completed a sports residency at the University of Florida and Shands after graduating from physical therapy school at Florida Gulf Coast University. Christy previously worked in Gainesville, FL, where she oversaw a running medicine clinic and was clinical faculty for the UF Health Sports Residency. Christy was on the swim team in college and has a passion for working with endurance athletes, and has regularly spoken at conferences on female athlete triad and RED-S, as well as working with the athlete who is pregnant or postpartum. She has also lectured to physical therapists and patient support groups on how exercise and physical therapy can help manage inflammatory bowel disease, as well as recording with Nancy on the “AboutIBD” podcast. Along with a small group of interested physical therapists, Nancy and Christy are working with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America to bring education regarding physical therapy treatment of IBD into both the patient and provider education programs.

Disclaimer: This conference session originally aired during the APTA Combined Sections Meeting. This is a recording of a past session followed by a short quiz.