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So people nod their heads at me a lot.  They nod when I say I specialize in Women’s Health.  They slow their nod when I say I do pelvic floor work.  Then their eyebrows get a little weird as I mention internal manual work until finally I blurt out, “I put my hand in the vagina!”  Then their eyes just get big.

The WHO – Pelvic floor physical therapists are a specialized group of people who have received advanced training from a variety of sources to provide treatments for a variety of conditions related to the pelvis.  Many people associate this automatically with Women’s Health and that is a rapidly growing field of healthcare, but men also have a pelvis and have pelvic floor issues as well.  Here is a link to some issues men may deal with. APTA journal article on men’s pelvic health.  I most commonly deal with women and specialize specifically in John Barnes Myofascial Release therapy.  So now we are moving on to the WHAT. Here is a list of common diagnoses that I treat that far too many women suffer with:

  • Vulvodynia
  • Vulvar Vestibulitis
  • Pudendal nerve pain
  • Pelvic Congestion
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Mastectomy Pain
  • Lymphedema
  • Menstrual Problems/Heavy or painful cycles
  • Painful Intercourse
  • Urinary Frequency, Urgency or Incontinence
  • Problematic Breast Implant/Reduction
  • Prolapse, uterine, rectocele, cystocele
  • Coccydynia/tailbone pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Infertility Problems
  • Episiotomy Scars
  • Assistance during pregnancy, delivery or immediately following.  *When I treat new moms, I work on the babies for free!

It seems to me that the WHY naturally flows (sorry for the poor choice of words) out of a lack of understanding.  As women, we often don’t truly know our own bodies, how they are designed, what they are capable of, what normal and abnormal truly feels like or where to go for help when things go south (Yikes, I did it again).  Tracy Sher is also a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor work and has an amazing website and blog devoted to educating patients and other practitioners about pelvic health!  Click here to go to her website for additional information and videos.  It is so amazing that the internet gives us such easy access to share information and educate others with the overall common goal of improved health and better care!  Dr. Ebraheim has created an incredible video that shows the anatomy of the pelvis and shows the bony structures and then layers on the ligaments, nerves and so on to give a great visual of the complexity of the pelvis.  Please note the many ligaments in both the front and back of the sacrum that are literally what holds our top half and attaches it to our bottom half!

For more information, please call me or look for a myofascial release therapist or pelvic floor therapist near you. I have a private cash pay business in Glendale, Arizona called Moment of Truth Physical Therapy, but even if you are not in this area, I would be happy to speak with you about your pelvic health and try to connect you with best care possible for your needs.  Here is a link to the John Barnes directory of myofascial therapists. Myofascial Therapists.  The APTA also has women’s health section and a list of practicioners.  Just please get some help and understanding.  It’s out there and we all want to help restore hope!

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  1. I was just referred for PT
    By a colorectal surgeon for urinary and fecal incontenience.
    Next step would be sacral nerve stimulation.
    Timely article.
    Thanks for posting.

    1. Joan, you are truly welcome. It is breaking my heart the way women are treated who suffer with this and completely maddening to me that you are made to feel medications and surgeries or injections are only option when manual therapies can be soooooo effective for a lot of this. Try to keep the faith and if you can, please look for a myofascial release therapist in your area!

  2. Do you know anyone who does this work (especially in the realm of infertility) in Maine? My daughter is having problems conceiving; lives in Orono, ME. Thanks!

    1. Check http://www.myofascialrelease.com, click on find a therapist and then click on Directory and you can search by state. Even if there isn’t someone really close, call some of the people listed and they might know of someone closer. Not everyone lists themselves on his directory. Also, John Barnes has a treatment center in Malvern, PA and Sedona, AZ and some people go there for intensive treatments for 1-2 weeks.

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