Pelvic Floor Therapy Services

If you have received a formal diagnosis for the pelvic pain or pelvic floor dysfunction you are experiencing in your body, we can holistically address how the following diagnoses impact your function and quality of life. And even without a formal diagnosis (which is quite common) the associated symptoms can interfere with daily functioning. Clients have a high probability of experiencing relief or recovery from symptoms in response to pelvic rehabilitation therapy. The following are common, but not normal:

• Incontinence refers to leaking urine, stool, or gas and can be related to urgency (urge incontinence), pressure with sneezing/coughing/movement (stress incontinence) ot both (mixed incontinence).  

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse such as uterine prolapse, cystocele, or rectocele can often feel like heaviness with bearing down, extended standing, or after penetration.

• Lower Urinary Track Symptoms (LUTS) refers to trouble urinating or urinating too often (4-8x/day is ideal). Nocturia is a condition describing the need to get up more than 1x/night to urinate.

• Diastatis Recti is a separation of the “6-pack” abdominal muscles. It is most commonly caused by pregnancy, but can also be related to bariatric surgery, obesity, and lifting injuries.

• Pelvic Pain Conditions can be acute, sporadic, chronic, or activity-induced and the cause of that pain can be multi-faceted or unknown. Pain can also be cyclical, which may worsen at a certain time of day or menstrual cycle.

  • Some common causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain can include cysts, adhesions, endometriosis, scarring from pelvic infection, or surgery. This pain can impact daily functioning and mental wellbeing,

  • Coccydynia is tailbone pain which can be related to falls, injury, or chronic maladaptive posturing.

  • Dysmenorrhea refers to pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle. Only 15% of women with severe menstrual pain seek help.  This low number can be attributed to pain being normalized/marginalized by society, barriers to seeking help, shame/hopelessness, or the belief that nothing productive will come of it. Some cramping can be normal, but not when it interferes with your ability to do the things you need and want to do.

  • Dyspareunia refers to pain with sexual intercourse/penetration and can cause significant psychological distress. Pain related to sex can also be associated with arousal, climax, erection, and/or ejaculation. 

  • Interstitial Cystitis and Painful Bladder Syndrome are often experienced as bladder pressure or pain.  

  • Vulvodynia and Vestibulodynia refer to pain around the vulva and vaginal opening, where vaginismus refers to pain and distress related to vaginal insertion.  

  • Lichen Sclerosus is a genital skin condition that can cause discomfort, pain, fragility of the skin, and disruption to meaningful activities. 

  • Proctalgia Fugax are intense muscle spasms in the pelvic floor that happen sporadically and can often be associated with fear there is something seriously wrong with one’s anus/rectum.  

  • Some forms of Prostatitis have a strong component of pelvic floor dysfunction, and with pelvic rehabilitation, people can experience relief from pain and discomfort while improving participation in all kinds of activities, such as sex and going to the bathroom.

  • Examples of Functional GI Disorders that may benefit from holistic abdominopelvic therapy include constipation, IBS, Rumination Syndrome, Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, abdominal bloating and abdominal distension.

Eating Disorders and related Functional GI Disorders

• Research shows that best outcomes are achieved with a multidisciplinary approach when treating people with eating disorders. As an OT, I’ve seen how valuable functional and body-based therapy can be to helping people heal from eating disorders. If you struggle with an eating disorder and want a fresh approach, I can be a great addition to your treatment team. While we holistically work on functional GI and pelvic floor concerns, we can also address activities that you find particularly challenging like clothes shopping, going to restaurants with loved ones, or participating in sexual activities. 

• I am a certified eating disorder specialist (CEDS) and incorporate a health-at-every-size (HAES) approach.