CSM Anaheim 2026

Three wonderful days of Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Anaheim and it's been a blast! I went to a bunch of super interesting sessions and took a ton of notes. I learned so many intervention ideas to help my patients when I get back home. I even got to go to the exhibit hall and visit a bunch of booths. Managed to add a bunch of ribbons for my badge: Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, PTPAC, Pelvic Health Therapist, Ask Me About Your Pelvic Floor.

CSM badge with added ribbons: Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, PTPAC, Pelvic Health Therapist, Ask Me About Your Pelvic Floor

Day 1 was full of running around and getting acclimated to going to a conference, but I managed. Fortunately, I selected a hotel that was within walking distance of the convention center, so I could walk to/from as needed, and not needing to pay for a rideshare trip every single time. And because I drove to Anaheim, I was able to bring a bunch of stuff without worrying how to fit them into my luggage, like my pillow! I am not a fan of the hotel pillows. I always feel like Goldilocks and they're never just right.

As I usually do when I go to CSM, I donated to PTPAC so I could add to my rubber duckie collection.

Rubber duckies from PTPAC booth.

Some of the highlights from the sessions I went to:

Redefining Midlife Sexuality: Integrative Breakthroughs for Perimenopausal & Menopausal Pelvic Wellness

• Poor glucose control is correlated with low libido.

• Higher blood glucose means more frequent and severe hot flashes.

Missed and Misunderstood: Understanding the Pelvic Health Physical Therapist’s Role in Lipedema Care

• Lipedema is specifically a fat tissue disorder.

• The statistic of those with lipedema losing their jobs increases the further progressed their lipedema gets.

Beyond the 6-Week Check: A New Era of Postpartum Care in the Military Health System

• Injury risk increases in the first year postpartum with back and neck injuries as the most common injury types

• Postpartum exercise was associated with 45% decreased risk of maternal depression

Pelvic Health Platform Session 2

Plenty of presentations within this platform. One of which has an outcome measure for female athletes who have never been pregnant. QR code below if you fit that criteria! This is to help the data collectors with their outcome measure specifically for female athletes.

Data collection with the ICIQ-Female Athlete.

Advancing Accessibility: Bringing Digital Solutions to Maternity Care Deserts

• 42% of hospitals lack obstetric care, with 60% of maternity care deserts in rural areas.

• The state with the lowest density of pelvic physical therapists per 1 million people is Alabama.

Affirming Pain Science: Clinical Innovations for Lgbtqia+ Patient Care

• This population has severe increased risk of chronic pain compared to other populations

• Structural stigma and discrimination in healthcare influences one's pain experience

10 Reasons Your Vaginoplasty Client Isn't Improving and What to Do about It

• Using the wrong lubrication

• May be using the wrong position that increases muscle tension while dilating.

Endometriosis: Misconceptions, Medical Gaslighting, and the Role of the Physical Therapist

• Endometriosis is more than "bad cramps." It is a whole-body chronic illness.

• "Hysterectomy" or "getting pregnant" as endometriosis cures are actually myths. Many times, relief is temporary.

I am still sorting through all of my notes as well as the handouts provided at the sessions I did go to, along with sessions I didn't but looked interesting. I love going to CSM because of the new knowledge that I can utilize for my patients.

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