Pelvic Floor Therapy

As a pelvic health physical therapist, I get to provide direct patient care related to conditions of bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain conditions, pelvic girdle dysfunction that relate to the health and function of the pelvic structures and pelvic floor musculature.

These conditions may include dysfunctions of the abdomen, thoracolumbar spine, or lumbopelvic hip complex.
Such conditions include: urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, pelvic pain, prolapse, coccygodynia. Also male pelvic therapy for chronic prostatitis, care post-prostatectomy.
Research suggests that pelvic therapy can even help improve fertility.

Various interventions, including manual treatments, nervous system regulation, therapeutic exercises are utilized to strengthen/relax/lengthen muscles, to improve the coordination and proprioception of the musculoskeletal system to decrease pain and improve function.

"Research supports pelvic floor therapy as a minimally invasive treatment option that should be used as a first-line method for treating various types of pelvic floor dysfunction"
(https://www.verywellhealth.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-5189474)

Pregnancy & Post Partum Rehabilitation

Growing a baby is a miracle....birthing a baby is an athletic feat... "a marathon of sprints"...thus your training should be designed in this format

When you reach ~24 weeks gestation, it's time to establish care with a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist.

Your Pelvic Health Therapist will assess your body function, then design and teach you exercises to utilize as you progress through pregnancy, and educate you in coordination of your pelvic floor with breath work in preparation for delivery.

Additionally, pelvic floor therapy can help you learn how to safely optimize cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength to prepare for the demands of labor/delivery and postpartum tasks.

Main physical goals include:

optimize hip mobility
ensure deep core activation in daily tasks
strengthen posterior chain musculature (to prepare for lifting/carrying of baby)
ensure proper coordination of pelvic floor muscles synchronized with breathing

Research supports the claim that staying active during your pregnancy will improve outcomes in labor & delivery...let's fast track your recovery and get you feeling better as quickly as possible!

See below for a more detailed explanation of what treatment will include

What's Included?

Pelvic Floor Treatment

Dependent on your symptoms:

Address any bladder or bowel issues (incontinence, constipation, difficulty emptying) with education on how the urinary and GI systems function
Address pain with penetration (dyspareunia), or other sexual dysfunction
Address any pelvic pain, pain or dysfunction of the hips or lumbopelvic region

Optimizing Pregnancy

A treatment plan unique to your needs as your body adapts to the changes of pregnancy. Care will address musculoskeletal aches/pains, bowel/bladder and/or sexual dysfunction.
Additional topics covered: sleep position modifications, ergonomics of lifting/carrying your child, use of belly bands, preventing muscle cramps and Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA)

Labor & Delivery Preparation

Learn about labor positioning options, tips to improve comfort in the laboring process
Improve the coordination of your pelvic floor muscles and learn proper breathing mechanics to utilize during delivery
Learn APM and additional techniques to reduce the risk of perineal tearing or need for episiotomy

Post-Partum Care

regain your energy & strength
reduce the body aches & pain
address any bladder/bowel issues
improve comfort & intensity of pleasure with sex
reduce diastasis rectus abdominus (DRA)
learn scar massage (if baby was delivered via C-section)
learn how to prevent pelvic prolapse, infections, chronic pain, bowel/bladder issues that may arise in the future

Package Deal Available!

For an investment of $2800, complete pelvic floor care covered from week 24 of pregnancy --> week 12 post-partum

The individualized treatment your body deserves

Call 865-935-9313 ext 1 for more details

"I saw Mariah prenatally for the duration of my pregnancy. My son was positioned OP (occiput posterior) or sunny-side up. Mariah taught me how to properly engage and relax my pelvic floor so that I was able to push more effectively. After my son was delivered my OBGYN was very shocked that I was able to deliver my son vaginally and that I did not require a c-section. I 100% believe that if I had not seen Mariah that I would have required a c-section to deliver."

Christina O.

Disclaimer

Due to the personal nature of pelvic floor therapy, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. It is my intention to make your treatment as comfortable as I can

Here is what to expect in your first session