Women’s pelvic floor muscles can be damaged during childbirth, which is known to increase the risk of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, and attempteds are being made to restore pelvic floor muscle function from the perspective of physiotherapy. However, even NOW, there are differing interpretations regarding the origin, insertion, and structure of the pelvic floor muscles. Furthermore, some current textbooks still contain inappropriate descriptions, such as outdated structures and terminology. As a result, beginners may acquire incorrect knowledge about the structure and function of the pelvic floor muscles. In this article, we provide an explanation of the pelvic floor muscles with reference to recent anatomical research.

For physical therapists, addressing clinical questions regarding intervention efficacy demands scientific evidence guided by evidence-based medicine (EBM). This paper reviews the design and practical aspects of systematic reviews (SRs), a key method for synthesizing evidence. We introduce the characteristics of SRs, detailing the process of structuring research questions, protocol development, and execution with results, based on our own SR research experience. Furthermore, we present our meta-epidemiological study, highlighting critical considerations for SR quality. We hope this paper enhances physical therapists’ understanding of SRs and their ultilization of high-quality evidence in clinical practice.

This article introduces the process by which a physical therapist working at an orthopedic clinic transformed clinical questions arising from daily practice into a multi-center cross-sectional study. It also presents specific practical strategies employed during the research. Multi-center studies offer advantages such as securing a sufficient sample size and enhancing external validity. However, challenges such as differences in clinical practice and ethical procedures must be addressed. The author’s study was conducted in collaboration with six facilities across Japan, utilizing self-administered questionnaires and a standardized manual to reduce the burden on clinical staff while ensuring research reproducibility. This article aims not only to share methods for physical therapists to lead multi-center studies but also to highlight the value of research originating from clinical practice.

[Purpose] We report the case of a woman with primary symptoms of functional dyspepsia whose condition improved after undergoing fascial manipulation (FM). [Case Description] The patient was a woman in her 30s who had been diagnosed with functional dyspepsia in 2019 and had undergone oral pharmacotherapy. Dissatisfied with the results of conventional treatments, she learned about our clinic and fascial therapy through an internet search and subsequently sought care with us. [Methods] Palpation revealed fascial dysfunction, especially in the cervical to lumbar regions. Ninety-minute FM sessions were conducted once every 2-3 weeks, for a total of 5 sessions. [Results] The patient’s chief complaints of indigestion and dyspnea were resolved completely, with an NRS score of 0/10. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that FM may be an effective therapeutic option for managing symptoms of functional dyspepsia.