WHAT IS PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY?
EXCERPTS FROM ARTICLE ON THE PELVIC GURU BLOG BY TRACY SHER, MPT, CSCS
(FULL ARTICLE HERE)
True story -During graduate school for physical therapy over 15 years ago, I distinctly remember turning to a friend in class and stating emphatically,
“Mark my words, I will NEVER EVER do what the therapist is doing in that video. NEVER. Why are we even seeing this in class?”.
You may wonder what happened in that video that lead to my bold statement. Why was I so shocked at the time? Well, that was essentially my first exposure to learning about pelvic physical therapy. [The video demonstrated an internal rectal coccyx (tailbone) technique]. I had no idea there were highly skilled specialists who performed internal vaginal and rectal musculoskeletal evaluations and treatments for women and men. I didn’t know at that time that the scope was even larger than that. And I certainly didn’t know I would end up spending my career focusing in this area and embracing it with such enthusiasm. After a wonderful clinical internship in women’s health and the professional influence of great mentors (thank you!), it was clear that this was the right path for me; and the need for this type of therapy was very evident. I tell my patients about the video story sometimes and we laugh about ‘never say never’, right!?
TERMS FOR THIS FIELD THAT ARE ALL RELATED:
PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
PELVIC OR WOMEN’S PHYSIOTHERAPY
WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY OR WOMEN’S HEALTH PT
PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
PELVIC PT
PELVIC REHAB
UROGYNECOLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
PEDIATRIC PELVIC PT, WOMEN’S PELVIC PT, MEN’S PELVIC PT
PELVIC FLOOR BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY (but oh, so much more than that)
Here I stand (because prolonged sitting is bad for extended periods) today, stating without hesitation, that this type of specialized work, is very rewarding, challenging, and vitally important to people all over the world. Pelvic physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts in the areas associated with the pelvis (sacrum, sacroiliac joints, coccyx), including vulvar and vaginal, penile and scrotum, colorectal regions. Most importantly, as physical therapists, we are trained to assess the musculoskeletal system and body as a whole as well (not just small bits and parts). We can still treat necks, shoulders, knees, etc., but some of us have such a high volume of patients needing pelvic health care that we focus in this area exclusively (and still treat the person as a WHOLE). It is also common for pelvic physical therapists to take post-graduate advanced classes to study GI, reproductive/sexual, orthopedic, neurologic and dermatologic “systems” (and more) to understand the complexity of how this all impacts an individual’s function and movement. We are interested in how systems operate together. Many of us are lucky to work with a network of specialized physicians, midwives, sex therapists and educators, fitness professionals and others in associated fields.
A patient once told me:
“Having endometriosis, painful intercourse, and constipation at the same time is tough. I feel crazy having to go to so many doctors for each thing - GYN, GI, and Colorectal. This is the first time I’ve been to someone who’s looked at all of these issues in a bigger picture at the same time, connecting the dots, and coordinating care with these doctors”
Depending on the type of physical therapy practice, the assessments styles and environments can vary. There are some fantastic therapists who focus on orthopedics and sports and do assessments without touching the pelvic floor internally; or some who focus on chronic pain conditions; while others focus heavily on assessing the pelvic floor muscles and associated areas in private treatment rooms first and then transition to daily functional activities or athletic moves later. There are lots of options. The exciting part is that we can offer hope with conservative treatment! You may see us in private clinics, outpatient hospital facilities, nursing homes, gyms, and other settings.
Here’s a sampling of the types of conditions we treat (from my clinical website) The list shows some conditions for women and men and we also treat pediatric bowel and bladder issues
Want to see pelvic anatomy?
Best Articles on Pelvic Physical Therapy. All in One Place! Thanks to My Wonderful Colleagues for These Contributions!
Great article by my colleagues, Sarah Talley and Emily Wegmann at Carolina Pelvic Health Center, Inc.: You Do WHAT?
Elle Magazine explains treatment for pelvic pain: Let WHO Put WHAT WHERE? Finding a cure for pelvic pain
Pelvic Guru blog post by Proaxis PT, Jessica Powley: Misconceptions of Pelvic Physical Therapy
Excellent Article by my colleagues, Stephanie Prendergast and Liz Rummer, at Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center What’s the Patient’s Role During Pelvic PT?
Beyond Kegels: When Do Gynecologic Problems Call for Physical Therapy?
The French Government Wants to Tone My Vagina
Even Oprah’s talking about it: Physical Therapy for Your Lady Parts.
Pelvic Physical Therapy for Men with Pelvic Pain – 2 Case Studies, APTA
Another great one by Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center: The Role of the PT in Treating PN (Pudendal Neuralgia)
Here are some great articles about how physical therapy can help with urinary leakage during workouts:
Where Does a Licensed Physical Therapist (Masters/Doctorate level) Go For Specialized Post-Graduate Pelvic PT Training?:
American Physical Therapy Association – Section on Women’s Health
Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute
Why Doesn’t Everyone Know What Pelvic Physical Therapy is and How Can We Change This!?To Physicians, PAs, Nurses, Fitness Professionals –
please consider referring your patients and clients to a licensed physical therapist who understands this specialty field and can complement your care.
To Physical Therapists and patients, please share this with friends, family, and your healthcare providers so that there’s awareness of this conservative type of care.
Here’s a Women’s Health Physical Therapist locator by the APTA Section on Women’s Health (under temporary construction)
You can also follow the #pelvicmafia hashtag on Twitter- many great pelvic health specialists sharing information and research.
“Mark my words, I will NEVER EVER do what the therapist is doing in that video. NEVER. Why are we even seeing this in class?”.
You may wonder what happened in that video that lead to my bold statement. Why was I so shocked at the time? Well, that was essentially my first exposure to learning about pelvic physical therapy. [The video demonstrated an internal rectal coccyx (tailbone) technique]. I had no idea there were highly skilled specialists who performed internal vaginal and rectal musculoskeletal evaluations and treatments for women and men. I didn’t know at that time that the scope was even larger than that. And I certainly didn’t know I would end up spending my career focusing in this area and embracing it with such enthusiasm. After a wonderful clinical internship in women’s health and the professional influence of great mentors (thank you!), it was clear that this was the right path for me; and the need for this type of therapy was very evident. I tell my patients about the video story sometimes and we laugh about ‘never say never’, right!?
TERMS FOR THIS FIELD THAT ARE ALL RELATED:
PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
PELVIC OR WOMEN’S PHYSIOTHERAPY
WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY OR WOMEN’S HEALTH PT
PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
PELVIC PT
PELVIC REHAB
UROGYNECOLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
PEDIATRIC PELVIC PT, WOMEN’S PELVIC PT, MEN’S PELVIC PT
PELVIC FLOOR BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY (but oh, so much more than that)
Here I stand (because prolonged sitting is bad for extended periods) today, stating without hesitation, that this type of specialized work, is very rewarding, challenging, and vitally important to people all over the world. Pelvic physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts in the areas associated with the pelvis (sacrum, sacroiliac joints, coccyx), including vulvar and vaginal, penile and scrotum, colorectal regions. Most importantly, as physical therapists, we are trained to assess the musculoskeletal system and body as a whole as well (not just small bits and parts). We can still treat necks, shoulders, knees, etc., but some of us have such a high volume of patients needing pelvic health care that we focus in this area exclusively (and still treat the person as a WHOLE). It is also common for pelvic physical therapists to take post-graduate advanced classes to study GI, reproductive/sexual, orthopedic, neurologic and dermatologic “systems” (and more) to understand the complexity of how this all impacts an individual’s function and movement. We are interested in how systems operate together. Many of us are lucky to work with a network of specialized physicians, midwives, sex therapists and educators, fitness professionals and others in associated fields.
A patient once told me:
“Having endometriosis, painful intercourse, and constipation at the same time is tough. I feel crazy having to go to so many doctors for each thing - GYN, GI, and Colorectal. This is the first time I’ve been to someone who’s looked at all of these issues in a bigger picture at the same time, connecting the dots, and coordinating care with these doctors”
Depending on the type of physical therapy practice, the assessments styles and environments can vary. There are some fantastic therapists who focus on orthopedics and sports and do assessments without touching the pelvic floor internally; or some who focus on chronic pain conditions; while others focus heavily on assessing the pelvic floor muscles and associated areas in private treatment rooms first and then transition to daily functional activities or athletic moves later. There are lots of options. The exciting part is that we can offer hope with conservative treatment! You may see us in private clinics, outpatient hospital facilities, nursing homes, gyms, and other settings.
Here’s a sampling of the types of conditions we treat (from my clinical website) The list shows some conditions for women and men and we also treat pediatric bowel and bladder issues
Want to see pelvic anatomy?
Best Articles on Pelvic Physical Therapy. All in One Place! Thanks to My Wonderful Colleagues for These Contributions!
Great article by my colleagues, Sarah Talley and Emily Wegmann at Carolina Pelvic Health Center, Inc.: You Do WHAT?
Elle Magazine explains treatment for pelvic pain: Let WHO Put WHAT WHERE? Finding a cure for pelvic pain
Pelvic Guru blog post by Proaxis PT, Jessica Powley: Misconceptions of Pelvic Physical Therapy
Excellent Article by my colleagues, Stephanie Prendergast and Liz Rummer, at Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center What’s the Patient’s Role During Pelvic PT?
Beyond Kegels: When Do Gynecologic Problems Call for Physical Therapy?
The French Government Wants to Tone My Vagina
Even Oprah’s talking about it: Physical Therapy for Your Lady Parts.
Pelvic Physical Therapy for Men with Pelvic Pain – 2 Case Studies, APTA
Another great one by Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center: The Role of the PT in Treating PN (Pudendal Neuralgia)
Here are some great articles about how physical therapy can help with urinary leakage during workouts:
- Your Pelvic Floor and Peeing During Workouts
- ‘Curing a Case of the Workout Pees’
- Pelvic Guru article ‘…help for Peeing During Workouts’.
Where Does a Licensed Physical Therapist (Masters/Doctorate level) Go For Specialized Post-Graduate Pelvic PT Training?:
American Physical Therapy Association – Section on Women’s Health
Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute
Why Doesn’t Everyone Know What Pelvic Physical Therapy is and How Can We Change This!?To Physicians, PAs, Nurses, Fitness Professionals –
please consider referring your patients and clients to a licensed physical therapist who understands this specialty field and can complement your care.
To Physical Therapists and patients, please share this with friends, family, and your healthcare providers so that there’s awareness of this conservative type of care.
Here’s a Women’s Health Physical Therapist locator by the APTA Section on Women’s Health (under temporary construction)
You can also follow the #pelvicmafia hashtag on Twitter- many great pelvic health specialists sharing information and research.
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Sher Pelvic Health and Healing, LLC
235 S. Maitland Ave. Suite 214 Maitland, FL 32751 Greater Orlando / Central Florida Phone: 407-257-1403 New Phone (12/15/13): 407-900-2876 Fax: 321-348-5779 Email: [email protected] |
Pelvic Guru blog by Tracy Sher and her international team of gurus!
www.pelvicguru.com blog
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"Tracy is truly a healer. She is compassionate and kind to her patients. Pelvic Health can be a difficult subject to address, but Tracy makes you feel comfortable and believe it or not, you will be laughing at some point. I can not recommend Tracy Sher highly enough." JP, vulvodynia, painful intercourse
Integrated Care and Team Approach With:
GYN, Urology, Urogynecology, GI, Colorectal, OB, Internal/Family Medicine, Counseling, Nutrition, Fitness
