Video
Functional abdominal pain, reflux, constipation, and posterior pelvic floor dysfunction are common gastrointestinal presentations. They can be difficult for patients to live with and frustrating for clinicians to manage, particularly when symptoms persist despite a “normal” colonoscopy.
This session explores how physiotherapy approaches to core muscle function (including the pelvic floor and diaphragm), dietary expertise to challenge common food myths, and practical strategies from gastroenterology and general practice can significantly improve outcomes. When these approaches are individualised and delivered with the patient at the centre, the difference can be substantial.
Using real, challenging cases, we will distil key practical tips and demonstrate how a team-based, multidisciplinary approach can help clinicians manage common GI conundrums more effectively.
As always, we will answer as many questions as possible.
Presenter
Nathan Atkinson
MB ChB 2003 Auckland; FRACP 2013 - Internal medicine
Nathan is a strong advocate of clinical trials in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, working to offer patients treatment options not otherwise available.
He works with the New Zealand Familial GI Cancer Service, with expertise in polyposis syndromes and the sometimes difficult conversations that arise with their treatment to prevent cancers.
Nathan is an advocate of intestinal ultrasound and has published a number of articles in this area. He collaborates in international research groups, which bring together patient experience from around the world to enable meaningful study of less common conditions.
Presenter
Zoë Raos
Zoë offers specialist care in all areas of gastroenterology, including inflammatory bowel disease (with a particular interest in young people and those in transition from paediatrics), coeliac disease, reflux, liver disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders. She is a past resident of NZSG, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland and employed at Te Whatu Ora Waitematā including roles in training, quality, research and education.
Zoë is an experienced endoscopist for diagnostic, therapeutic and screening colonoscopy & gastroscopy.
Presenter
Brooke Peirce
BHSc(Physiotherapy) PGDip(Rehabilitation), MPNZ, Partner BradCliff Breathing
Brooke utilises her strong musculoskeletal background to connect breathing with restoring optimal movement, posture, and function. Since having children, she is also very motivated to improve children’s breathing habits, especially in young children, and the wide-ranging implications this has.
She has completed postgraduate training in Clinical Pilates, Acupuncture, and Ultrasound Imaging, and is currently working toward her Master of Physiotherapy, which involves completing a research-based thesis on diaphragm movement in people with breathing dysfunction.
Presenter
Melanie Bennet
Melanie has over 25 years experience as a physiotherapist in New Zealand and overseas. After graduating from Otago Polytechnic in 1989 and working in hospitals and private practice, she focused her professional development in the musculo-skeletal area and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Manipulative Physiotherapy at AUT University.
During her many years of practice Melanie developed a special interest in Men’s and Women’s pelvic floor dysfunction and developed this as her area of expertise. In 2008, after identifying a need for pelvic floor physiotherapy in Auckland, Melanie established Physio Down Under Ltd, a clinic providing detailed assessment, management and treatment options for men and women with common pelvic floor conditions.
Melanie has a Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy from Melbourne University. She completed a Master's Degree from AUT University, where she also developed an interest in ultrasound imaging, which she uses in the clinic as biofeedback.
Presenter
Anna Sloan
Anna graduated from Otago University in 2000 with a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics after completing a Bachelor of Consumer and Applied Sciences.
Since then she has accumulated 20+ years of dietetic knowledge, working across hospitals, community and outpatient settings in both paediatrics and adults. She is Monash-University FODMAP accredited, as well as holding a qualification in Cognitive Behavioural therapy.
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from:
