Contact Information:

Contact: Tasha Mulligan

Presenter: Tasha Mulligan MPT, ATC, CSCS
Address: 13304 Timberline Drive
Urbandale, IA 50323
Phone: 515-557-0722
Fax: 515-276-2283
Email: tasha@ptpartnersllc.com
Abstract is being submitted for: Oral presentation, 60 minutes in length
Title: "Incontinence and Prolapse: Muscular issues that can be resolved"
Description:
- Tasha Mulligan, a physical therapist and personal trainer, will present on specific ways that women can
ease or resolve pelvic floor related symptoms. She will present a brief overview of the affected and
interrelated muscles, and share how different aspects of a physical therapy regimen can help alleviate
symptoms.
Abstract:
It is estimated that 20 million women suffer from incontinence, prolapse, or pelvic floor pain.
Many of them suffer in silence as they experience symptoms from "every day" occurences, such as
laughing, sneezing, coughing, and jumping. If there's a "silver lining" to these issues, it's that in many
instances, the symptoms are a result of a muscular issue - a weakened pelvic floor. In the world of
Physical Therapy, muscular issues can often be improved or entirely addressed through postural
modifications and targeted exercise improving muscular endurance and strength.
This presentation will be an educational discussion of specific ways that women can ease or
resolve pelvic floor related symptoms through a physical therapy regimen. The target audience is the
practitioner involved in the care of women. It will include a brief overview of the affected and interrelated
muscles of the "abdominal basket". There will be a detailed description of the Kegel exercise as well as
pelvic floor elevation, which are the foundation for a successful pelvic floor rehabilitation, but are often
difficult to instruct properly. The discussion will further describe and demonstrate several exercises,
working the other muscles that make up the "abdominal basket". This will include specific exercises for
inner thighs, lower abdominals, lower back, and deep hip rotators. Appropriate postural positioning will
be discussed and video demonstration will illustrate the "neutral spine" position that gives us the best
opportunity for optimal pelvic floor function. All video clips of specific exercises working the different
components of the abdominal basket are from the Habit Pelvic Floor dvd. You can view clips and read
more about the team of professionals involved in its creation at www.habit.com.
The focus of this presentation will be detailed exercise instruction and postural education. It will
not include a pharmacy discussion. Objectives: 1.) To teach clear, concise cues for appropriate Kegel
contraction and pelvic floor elevation. 2.) To demonstrate several exercises working the other muscles
making up the "abdominal basket". 3.) To demonstrate appropriate postural positioning for optimal pelvic
floor function.
Bio - The speaker, Tasha Mulligan, is a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and certified strength and
conditioning specialist. She earned her B.S. degree in Exercise Science from the University of Iowa in
1997, achieving certification as an Athletic Trainer that same year. She continued on to earn her Masters
degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999. Her work experience includes working
at Athletico Physical Therapy in Chicago from Jan. 2000 to May 2005, with promotion to management
and partnership in 2001 and 2003 respectively. After a move to Iowa in 2005, Tasha began her own
physical therapy business. In 2008 she co-founded a new company, Ptpartnersllc and began work on the
Habit Pelvic Floor dvd.