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WINTER NEWSLETTER 2014/2015
HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
WHAT IS PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION?
(Adapted from article written by Amy Stein for the Endometriosis Association in 2007,
with her permission)
According to the National Institutes of Health, at least one-fourth of US women have reported at least one
pelvic floor disorder. Very few physicians, however, are not familiar with pelvic floor dysfunction or how to
go about identifying the problem, and many patients may be left undiagnosed and jumping from doctor to
doctor searching for answers.
The pelvic floor muscles are the muscles in the pelvis that form a sling from the pubic bone to the tailbone.
They assist in bowel and bladder function, as well as sexual activity, and they also help to support the
abdominal and pelvic organs. Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles are too tight (overactive)
or too weak, and, oftentimes, can be related to a dysfunction in the back, hip, or sacroiliac joint.
Sometimes, pelvic floor dysfunction can be due to trauma from a bad fall or childbirth. Pelvic floor issues
can also result from different surgeries in the abdomen or pelvic region during which the pelvic floor
muscles can be compromised. Stress and/or poor posture can also cause increased muscle tension and,
over time, can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Issues that may result from pelvic floor dysfunction include:
-Pain, spasming, or tightness in the pelvis, abdomen, genital region, vagina, rectum,
urethra
-Pain from endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, interstitial cystitis/PBS
-Urinary or bowel incontinence
-Urinary or bowel frequency, urgency, or retention
-Prenatal/Post-partum pelvic pain
-Non-bacterial prostatitis, post-prostatectomy care, prostatodynia
During physical therapy sessions, treatment may include soft tissue massage, myofascial release,
connective tissue manipulation, visceral manipulation, and internal and external trigger point release in
order to help facilitate pelvic floor muscle relaxation and lengthening. Core stabilization exercises, and/or
kegel exercises may also be given to help support the pelvic girdle. If weakness is found, the physical
therapist may also give the patient exercises to help with postural re-education as well as bowel and
bladder control.
There is hope! If you have abdomino-pelvic pain, bowel, bladder, or sexual condition that you believe may
be caused by pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, please consult with a physician or a healthcare provider
experienced in pelvic floor conditions and pelvic pain. You can also schedule a phone consult and/or
evaluation to speak with a pelvic floor physical therapist to discuss your symptoms and find out if physical
therapy is right for you.
GENTLE SMALL GROUP YOGA CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE
MONDAY NIGHTS FROM 6:15-7:15PM WITH ANN TAYLOR.
PLEASE CONTACT ANNE AT atyoga@gmail.com
OR CALL 646-942-2153 FOR DETAILS
WINTER NEWSLETTER 2014/2015
PELVIC HEALTH 101 WILL BE BACK!
Due to the success of the Pelvic Health 101 information sessions, Beyond Basics will be
offering all of the classes again during Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer "semesters"
throughout the year! Stay tuned for dates and times!
Topics that will be covered during the information sessions include:
Pelvic floor anatomy and its relationship to bowel, bladder, and sexual function
Urinary dysfunction syndromes
Bowel dysfunction
Sexuality and Pain
How to deal with flare-ups
Pregnancy and Post-partum
Each seminar will be followed by a Q&A session and each first time participant will be
given a free DVD of “Healing Pelvic and Abdominal Pain” by Amy Stein, DPT
Please contact desk@beyondbasicspt.com or 212-354-2622 for details
PLEASE WELCOME CHRISTIE SILVERS, PT, AS PART OF
THE BEYOND BASICS TEAM!
Christie Silvers received her BS in Physical Therapy from the Liceo de Cagayan
University and has over 20 years of experience as a therapist. Prior to joining
Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, Christie worked at Indiana University (IU)
Health Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, an outpatient and inpatient orthopedic clinic,
where she predominantly practiced in musculoskeletal disorders, orthopedics, manual therapy,
and Women's and Men's Health. Christie completed training in the evaluation and treatment of
pelvic muscle dysfunctions and incontinence, advanced techniques for special populations, and
women's health for pregnancy and beyond. Christie was the Women's and Men's health specialist
at IU Health, seeing the majority of pre-natal, post-partum, and patients with bladder and bowel
incontinence. Christie has received additional pelvic floor dysfunction education through
Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and is a member of the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA), Section on Women's Health, International Pelvic Pain Society
(IPPS), and the National Vulvodynia Association.
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