An Introduction to Functional Bowel Disorders: Assessment & Management

The course is spread over 2 days and is aimed at clinicians starting out in their functional bowel career or to further progress their assessment and management skills for patients with a variety of gut disorders.

If you are a Physiotherapist or Nurse specialist looking to expand your clinical practice in to the wonderful specialities of Colorectal and Gastroenterology then these courses are for you!

There is a 2 day 'Introduction to Digestive Health' course which is aimed at those with pelvic floor experience who are looking to expand their practice in to digestive health or would like to increase their knowledge base and practical assessment/treatment skills. There is a large focus on the practical element to improve examination skills to easily identify and treat patients with obstructive defecation alongside other gut disorders.

If you are looking for the theory aspect alone from the 2 day course without the practical components of learning Anorectal examination and practicing the manual treatment modalities we have the Live Online Digestive Health Course run over 1 day from 9am UK time.

Learning Objectives:

• Be able to effectively and safely assess a patient with functional bowel dysfunction

• Be able to formulate an appropriate management plan of a patient with functional bowel dysfunction

• Confidently apply effective treatment modalities

• Be aware and conform to professional nursing/physiotherapy standards in relation to the assessment and management of patients with functional bowel disorders.

Day 1

✔ Welcome and Introduction

✔ Professional Issues in Gut Health

✔ Anatomy and Physiology

✔ An Overview of Functional Bowel Disorders

✔ Subjective Assessment

✔ Objective Assessment

✔ Practical - Peer physical examination

Day 2

✔ Objective Assessment recap

✔ Investigations for functional bowel disorders

✔ Anopress Manometry

✔ Colorectal Surgeon's role (location dependent)

✔ Demonstration and practice of treatment techniques

✔ Trans Anal Irrigation - Brigitte Collins

✔ Biofeedback the Holistic Approach

If you are looking for the theory aspect alone from the 2 day course without the practical components of learning Anorectal examination and practicing the manual treatment modalities we have the Live Online Digestive Health Course run over 1 day from 9am UK time.

  • <autoplay speed=5></autoplay>"This course was fantastic. Lucy is a so knowledgeable and such a patient teacher. She makes you feel excited about treating bowel problems with her enthusiasm. I now feel completely confident to treat bowel problems which is fantastic after just one course"

    — Caroline

  • "This course gave me a great foundation in assessment and treatment on bowel conditions. I left feeling confident to encorporate all I'd learned into my practice, having spent extensive time on both theory and practical aspects. I would highly recommend this course. Thank you Lucy!"

    — Claire

  • "Great course in a small group with excellence content and very useful practical part with full attention from tutor. Cannot wait for an advance course!"

    — Magdalena

To sign up please complete the registration form and Email to Lucy:

  • November 8th-9th 2025 London

  • 11th August Live Online 9am UK

We are always looking for new venues so if you are interested in hosting the course please get in touch.

Course Speakers

  • Lucy Allen

    Course Organiser

    Director at Lucy Allen Physiotherapy Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

  • Janindra Warusavitarne

    Guest Speaker

    Consultant Colorectal Surgeon St Mark's Hospital

  • Brigitte Collins

    Guest Speaker

    Global Clinical Education Manager Macgregor Healthcare RCN MSc GI