DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY DIVISION

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor

 

Education

North Carolina State University, EdD in Adult Education
Duke University, MS in Physical Therapy
Wake Forest University, BA in Biology 

 

Teaching Responsibilities      

PT 313  Physical Therapist Interventions II (muscle strength, power, endurance training, PNF,  therapeutic exercise, massage)

PT 504  Advanced Practice Elective Topics in Women’s Health

PT 509 Health Promotion and Injury Prevention

PT 508 Evidence-Based Practice III/EBP Capstone Project

PT306 Professional Development Seminar (portfolio)

PT511 Portfolio Advisor

 

Special units:

PT304 Normal Human Development (OB/GYN Unit)

PT325 Medical Practice Management (Pelvic Floor Dysfunction)

PT327 Patient/Client Management Seminary (Patient Case Study)

PT403 Musculoskeletal Practice Management II – Perinatal Issues and   Interventions

           

Urogynecology Fellowship Program – Duke University: 1997-Present

           

Lectures on pelvic floor muscle evaluation and behavioral and exercise management

Clinical hours with Fellow in Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Clinic

 

Clinical teaching in women’s health for:  Duke University School of Medicine Geriatric Fellows, Internal Medicine Residents

Clinical Practice

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation  

Research

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation; Health Promotion and Injury Prevention 

Selected Publications

• Figuers, C. Physical therapy management of pelvic floor dysfunction. In Women’s Health Care in Physical Therapy: Principles and Practices for Rehabilitation Professionals, Glenn Irion and Jean Irion (eds), Philadelphia, PA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2009.
• Figuers, C. Physical therapy management of pelvic pain. In Women’s Health Care in Physical Therapy: Principles and Practices for Rehabilitation Professionals, Glenn Irion and Jean Irion (eds), Philadelphia, PA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2009.
• Figuers, C, Boyle, K, Caprio K, Weidner A. Pelvic floor muscle activity and urinary incontinence in weight-bearing female athletes vs. non-athletes. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, Spring 2008, 32(1): 7-10.
• Cook, C, Massa L, Harm-Ernandes I, Segneri R, Adcock J, Kennedy C, Figuers C. Interrater reliability and diagnostic accuracy of pelvic girdle pain classification. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, May 2007, 30(4): 151-158.
• Figuers, C, Briggs J, Thibodeaux E, Gehm W, Turbyfill H. Physical Symptoms, Exercise and Weight Management in the Postpartum Period: A review of pertinent literature. Journal of the Section on Women’s Health, August 2003, 27(2): 19-27.
• Nedved K, Miller S, Figuers C. (2001) A comparison of pelvic floor muscle activity in high impact athletes and sedentary females measured by biofeedback techniques. Journal of the Section on Women’s Health, 25(1): 7-14.
• Figuers C. (2000) Urinary incontinence in post-menopausal women. Topics in Geriatrics, 15(4): 31-41.
• Figuers C. (1999) Aquatic therapy intervention for a child diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Physical Therapy Case Reports, 2(3): 109-112.
• Visco A, Figuers C. (1999) Non-surgical management of urinary incontinence. Postgraduate OBGYN, 19(6): 1-7.
• Visco A, Figuers C. (1998) Non-surgical management of pelvic floor dysfunction. OBGYN Clinics of North America, 25(4): 849-865.
• Hummer L, Stillinger K, Figuers C. (1994) A compilation of predominant thoughts regarding entry-level doctor of physical therapy programs. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, Fall: 60-66.

 

Awards and Honors

Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society – NCSU Chapter, 1995-present

APTA Section on Women’s Health 2003 Research Award

Duke University School of Medicine Master Clinician/Teacher Award – 2005 Distinguished Nominee

NCPTA Fall Chapter Meeting – First Place in Research Posters – October 2005

APTA Section on Women’s Health 2007 Research Award

NCPTA Outstanding Physical Therapist of the Year – 2007

Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy Division’s Jan K. Richardson Teaching Award - 2008

 

Clinical and Administrative Activities

Clinical Activity ‑ type of practice and estimate of time commitment:

Ambulatory medicine in Duke University Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy  Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pelvic floor rehabilitation. – 10% time

Program Director, Duke Women’s Health Residency Program

 

Pelvic Floor Dysorders Network (PFDN) Trained Interventionist – April 2007-present

 

Admissions Committee Member  ‑ March 1990 ‑ December 1992; October 2006-present

 

Clinical Education Committee – 2000-present

 

Student Affairs Committee Chair - 2008-present

 

Alumni Affairs - 2008-present

 

Best Practice Committee Member - 2008-present

                                                                                               

Liaison with Duke Student Health Education – Coordinate Physical Therapy student programming for Duke undergraduate students

 

Duke University Alumni Association Board of Directors Member - September 1996 ‑ 1998

 

Duke University Women's Health Steering Committee Member – a multidisciplinary group of health care providers, educators and administrators which plans and coordinates women’s health initiatives both within the medical center and the community

 

Duke University Faculty Women Committee Member – January 2005 – present

 

Health Promotion Task Force – Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine – January 2005 - present

 

Duke University Institutional Review Board Member – January 2006-present

 

 

FReD Publications