March 2018 Newsletter

March 2018 Newsletter

Happy Spring! To kickoff this new season, we will be dong a special newsletter series covering FAQs of specialized therapy services offered here at DSPT: Pelvic Floor, Concussion/Vestibular, Schroth/Scoliosis, and Acupuncture. First up is Pelvic Floor, after the jump:

PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY FAQs

  1. What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
    Pelvic Floor PT includes treatment for men and women with nerve entrapment/sensitivity, urinary or fecal incontinence, urgency/frequency of urination, and/or pain/weakness/dysfunction in the pelvic region. This includes: pain in the abdominals, buttocks, pelvic floor, tailbone, sacrum, vagina, rectum, penis or testicles. The pelvic floor muscles may become weak, tight or spastic as a result of mis/disuse, surgery, trauma, or other musculoskeletal conditions in the hip and/or low spine.
  2. What happens AT my initial visit for pelvic floor PT?
    The Initial Evaluation involves a detailed history/discussion of all your symptoms and medical/injury history related to the pelvic floor. In addition, a musculoskeletal exam of the lower spine, hips and core structures inter-related to the pelvic floor are performed to comprehensively assess your lower body system and function. We also palpate or feel aforementioned areas for tissue excursion, adhesions, trigger points and if this reproduces your symptoms. Muscle strength testing of the pelvic floor, hips and core are also performed to determine strength/power, endurance, coordination/control, and stability. Time is also spent educating you on the pelvic floor, our findings and how they connect with your symptoms.
  3. What is Biofeedback and how does it help my pelvic floor?
    "Bio" means body and "Feedback" means receiving information about a physiological activity. Biofeedback measures the electrical activity of the muscle and transmit that information to either a range of numbers and/or sounds. The patient sees the numbers and learns how to retrain their pelvic floor muscles with the guidance of the physical therapist. The sensors have small metal strips to pick up the electrical activity of your pelvic floor muscles during rest and contraction. We will measure if your muscle returns to full baseline rest following contractions, whether your muscles have good  endurance etc. Biofeedback training is utilized during follow up physical therapy treatments to help you learn how to either relax or recruit your pelvic muscles and regain normal function.
  4. What should I expect/anticipate FOLLOWING my first visit?
    Treatment sessions can include manual techniques such as myofascial release, visceral mobilization, connective tissue massage (skin rolling), trigger point massage. These techniques release intramuscular tension, mobilize the nerves, improve mobility of connective tissue, and improve the mobility of organs that lie beneath the skin and muscles. We will also teach you an individualized therapeutic exercise routine to improve relaxation, flexibility, strength, stability, and coordination of your pelvic floor and core. You will also be taught specific postures, body awareness/relaxation techniques, self-massage, or given recommendations so you can self manage to maintain your recovery.
  5. How long does pelvic floor rehabilitation take?
    The plan of care is developed specifically to the individual's needs and goals defined by the patient and evaluating therapist. While therapy results will vary on each person's condition(s), therapy adherence/consistency and lifestyle, objective/functional/noticeable results can occur within a 6 week timeframe.

We here at DSPT are here to professionally manage your journey toward caring for and healing your whole self, mind and body. Give us a call to see what we and our network of specialized health care providers can do for you!

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