In celebration of the women’s month, the University of Santo Tomas – College of Rehabilitation Sciences Alumni Association, Inc (UST-CRSAAI), in collaboration with the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) and CRS Faculty Club, held a virtual women’s health summit on March 19 and 20, 2022.
The speakers at this summit were all UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences alumni. They provided the participants with evidence-based approaches and treatments to common women’s health issues. All proceeds from the event went to the UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences Scholarship Fund.
Mr. Johann J. Dela Paz, PT, MS, Chair of the Organizing Committee, provided the participants with an overview of the summit. Assoc.Prof. Jocelyn F. Agcaoili, President of the UST-CRSAAI, Inc., and CRS Dean Assoc. Prof. Anne Marie C. Aseron were also present during the event.
The summit’s first day focused on the rehabilitation assessment and interventions for pelvic pain, breast cancer, and lymphedema. The first speaker, Alreen Day Alfonso, talked about pelvic pain assessment, treatment, and pelvic health in aging women. She discussed and demonstrated specific exercises that could help prevent pelvic dysfunction and improve overall pelvic health.
It was followed by a discussion on breast cancer and lymphedema by Pam Paredes. She explained how to perform manual lymphatic drainage and demonstrated the bandaging technique.
The second day of the summit focused on the movement approach to perinatal and postpartum care, physical and mental well-being of mothers during the pandemic, and caring for one’s child and self. Anne Marieviel Olegario discussed some perinatal and postpartum exercises that can be used in designing exercise programs for pregnant women. Coach Alfa January Crisostomo provided several parenting tips that could help the mothers cope with their physical and mental health amidst the pandemic.
Lastly, Cecilia Anne Ibay talked about some mental health exercises and tips. She emphasized the need to acknowledge the simple everyday encounters we have as a means to feel grounded and guided–something she feels is usually overlooked because of being too exhausted from work.
The summit had 229 attendees and is equivalent to 7 CPD units as granted by the Professional Regulatory Commission – Continuing Professional Development (PRC-CPD) Council for Physical Therapy.
