Riverwalk Physical Therapy has hired pelvic floor physical therapy specialist Dr. Jessica Golden, 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, 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. Dr. Jessica has stories about patients who were told by a former doctor that their problem was just “part of being a woman.”
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 and preventing complications like C-sections. Here are a handful of situations where a women’s 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.
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 or leakage during specific activities.
Constipation – Treatment for difficulty with bowl movement includes muscle retraining, sacroiliac joint alignment, compensatory methods.
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, 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.
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 http://www.oprah.com/health/Womens-Health-Physical-Therapy-Pelvic-Floor-Rehab#ixzz2mXwmSggO
