Riverwalk Physical Therapy has hired pelvic floor physical therapy specialist Dr. Elizabeth Stryker, PT, DPT. There’s a growing field of medicine devoted to treating these unique complications. Practitioners of pelvic floor health help women and men who have problems with sexual intercourse, pelvic floor pain, prostatitis, urination, constipation, prolapse, pregnancy preparedness, postpartum recovery and cancer recovery. They deal with the concerns that we may be too embarrassed to discuss, and because they’ve seen it all, they can reassure patients that their issues are at least treatable, if not always curable.
This specialty started in 1995, when a group of orthopedic physical therapists recognized that their clinics were filling up with women whose concerns weren’t being addressed. Women’s heath physical therapists (WHPT) are often the problem solvers that gynecologists, obstetricians, urologists and other doctors call when confronted with a specific medical mystery, like discomfort during sex, after childbirth or while going to the bathroom. Often patients will come to the clinic seeking care for issues that have been present for many years.
Like other types of physical therapists, Riverwalk PT specializes in treating functional problems, but they also offer proactive services, like helping pregnant women prepare for an easier delivery, preventing complications, and steps to take postpartum. Here are a handful of situations where a pelvic health PT might be able to help you.
Pre-Natal Rehabilitation – We specialize in treatment during this critical time and use effective methods to enable women to regain strength, reduce pain and improve their daily mobility and fitness and prepare them for successful delivery.
Post-Partum Rehabilitation – Some women experience pain and/or weakness in abdominal and pelvic floor musculature that provide support and are responsible for bladder and sexual function. Others may experience pelvic pain, joint misalignment, painful episiotomies, and reduced urinary control. Additionally, treatment is available for C-section scar mobility and desensitization.
Urinary Incontinence – Incontinence is any amount of urine leakage at the wrong time and place. The symptoms may include uncontrolled loss of urine, frequent urination, urgent desire to urinate, pain during voiding, nighttime voiding or leakage during specific activities. Those suffering from recurrent UTIs may also benefit from pelvic health PT.
Constipation – Treatment for difficulty with bowel movement includes muscle retraining, bowel massage, sacroiliac joint alignment, compensatory methods, and nutrition guidelines.
Pelvic Pain – Occurs in pelvic region and may be a referred pain from abdomen, hip, pelvis, vagina, thighs, buttocks or rectum associated with muscle spasms, joint and ligament disorders, trigger points. Treatment may include biofeedback, myofascial release, pelvic muscle re-education, trigger point release, postural and breathing retraining.
Back Pain and Sacroiliac Dysfunction – A complex problem commonly due to weakness, structural defects, joint instability and/or postural habits. Treatment may consist of manual therapy, postural retraining, strengthening and flexibility exercises.
Sexual Dysfunctions – The symptoms may be pain during or after intercourse, difficulty having orgasm, difficulty with penetration. Treatment may include external/internal biofeedback, joint alignment, pelvic muscle retraining, relaxation techniques, dilator training.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation – Includes post-hysterectomy, laparoscopic procedures, and biopsy. Treatment may include scar management, muscle retraining and relaxation, trigger point massage, and biofeedback.
Prostate – Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy specializes in non-invasive treatment of prostate conditions caused by prostatitis or prostatectomy including incontinence, erectile and sexual dysfunctions
Pudendal Neuralgia is a rare problem with the pudendal nerve that can affect both men and women. The pudendal nerve runs through your pelvic region, including your genitals, urethra, anus, and perineum. Your perineum is the area between your anus and genitals. The condition is also known as pudendal neuropathy, pudendal nerve entrapment, cyclist’s syndrome, pudendal canal syndrome, or Alcock’s syndrome. Pudendal neuralgia can cause pain, especially when you sit. Men with pudendal neuralgia may have pain in the buttocks, scrotum, penis, and perineum. Women with pudendal neuralgia may have pain in their buttocks, vulva, urethra, and perineum.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) happens when one or more of a woman’s organs in the pelvic area drops (prolapses) from its normal position to push against the walls of the vagina. Treatment includes core stability strengthening, pelvic muscle strengthening, breathing exercises, positioning strategies and pressure management.
At Riverwalk Physical Therapy, we offer both private one on one appointments and or complimentary screenings where you can see the facility and discuss with the therapist whether or not Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy may work for you. Call today at 908-758-1006
Please view more information at https://www.oprah.com/health/Womens-Health-Physical-Therapy-Pelvic-Floor-Rehab#ixzz2mXwmSggO