PT and Rehab_Pelvic Therapy

PT and Rehab_Pelvic Therapy

cess Spotlight

The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE AGAIN WITHOUT PELVIC ISSUES

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JULY 2019 The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Y O U C A N L I V E Y O U R L I F E A G A I N W I T H O U T PELVIC ISSUES

Causes Of Incontinence And Chronic Pelvic Pain Ifyouhavepain inyourpelvis, itmaynotalwaysbe fullyclearwhat’scausing it.Somecommoncauses of pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain include, but are not limited to: Any of these conditions may lead to inadequate support of the organs contained with your pelvic cavity, increased pressure or inflammation of nerves, muscles, and other connective tissues (includingyourbladder),and impairedpelvicbone alignment. These symptoms can be frustrating, painful, and embarrassing, and may limit your tolerancetodailyparticipation indesiredactivities, including exercise. Other symptoms frequently appear with pelvic pain, including incontinence, bloating, abdominal pressure, reluctance to strain while defecating,

A physical therapist is highly skilled in evaluating and treating various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions affecting the body. This profession focuses on assessing any underlying factors,suchasstrength,neuromuscularcontrol, balance, coordination, skeletal alignment, and endurance,whichmaybecontributingto impaired functionalmobility,activityparticipation,andquality of life. Ofcourse,mostpeopleonlyseekphysical therapy when they’re suffering from a common injury or condition such as whiplash, tendonitis, low back pain, ligament sprains, and plantar fasciitis. Perhaps lesser known is that chronic pelvic pain and dysfunction, including incontinence, can also respondpositivelytophysicaltherapy intervention.

and pain in the low back, buttocks, and hips. You may also have decreased tolerance to a variety of activities including sitting or standing, walking, exercise, and sexual intercourse. How A Physical Therapist Can Treat Pelvic Pain Everypatientpresentingwithchronicpelvicpain is unique. If you come to see a physical therapist for your pelvic dysfunction, you’ll be taken through a thoroughphysicalexaminationandpatienthistory questionnaire. He or she will ask you specific questions about your pain, what makes it worse and better, and whether you have a history of any related issues. Based on the results of the examination, your physical therapist can then developacustomizedtreatmentplantorelieveyour symptomsandaddress thesuspectedunderlying causes to prevent recurring dysfunction.

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IT’S INJURY SEASON. ARE YOU PREPARED?

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence has a reputation of being something only little old ladies have. But many young people get urinary incontinence. And while more women than men are affected, men can have urinary problems too, especially after prostate surgery. Fortunately, there are many treatments for urinary incontinence. Behavioral treatment. Some people with urinary incontinence may get relief by making simple lifestyle changes. If you have stress incontinence, for instance, inwhichyou leakurinewhenyoucough,sneeze,or laugh,your physical therapistmay tellyou to limithowmuchyoudrink. Ifyouhaveurge incontinence, in which you get the sudden urge to urinate and can’t always make it to thebathroom in time,yourphysical therapistmay tellyou toavoid spicy foods, caffeine, and carbonated drinks, because they can irritate the bladder and make the problem worse. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, known as Kegels, can sometimes help people with stress incontinence.Kegelscanalsohelppeoplewithurge incontinence.Sometimes, Kegels are combined with biofeedback techniques to help you know if you are doing the exercises properly. For urge incontinence, bladder training,

sometimes called bladder retraining, can also help. This involves gradually increasing the interval time between trips to the bathroom, working up to longer and longer intervals between bathroom stops. Devices and absorbent products. Protective pads and panty liners can help avoid embarrassing situations. A pessary, a plastic device inserted into the vagina,mayhelppreventurine leakagebysupportingtheneckofthebladder; it is most useful for stress incontinence. Mild to moderate cases of common types of incontinence can be cured or greatly improved by behavioral or exercise therapy. We can also teach you habits and techniques to reduce urgency and urge incontinence (or leaking with a strong urge on the way to the bathroom). Even periodic incontinence is not something you have to deal with. We can help! Call your physical therapist at Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists to see how laser therapy can benefit you!

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Staff Spotlight

Madhu Rishi, PT, DPT, CLT

happen, knowing that I made a difference in someone’s lives - that’s the favorite part of my job. 3. How long have you been a physical therapist for and where did you get started? I started practicing in New Delhi with outpatient and homecare, and then moved to the USA after 1 year. I’ve now been a PT for 25 years. 4. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? My favorite place has been Schilthorn, Switzerland. It is beautiful there. 5. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with my family, traveling and seeing the world, gardening, and reading.

1. Why did you decide to become a physical therapist? I started pursuing Physical Therapy in the gap year after my high school graduation, en-route my path to med school. My PT school was located in a very rural part of India. Serving in this sector, I observed how my small interventions made a world of difference in the quality of life, across all age groups, and past all barriers of society. I then knew that’s what I wanted to do for a career. I’ve had no regrets, not then, not now. 2. What is your favorite part of the job? Watching the joy in a client’s eyes when they are able to do that one activity, reach that one goal that they came to me for, that’s the only validation I need and the only validation I strive for, knowing I was instrumental in making that moment

Patient Success Spotlight

Exercise Essential

RELIEVE INCONTINENCE Try this movement if you are experiencing pain.

Helps With Pelvic Issues

“Madhu was able to help me and give me my life back!”

Sit in a chair with tall, relaxed posture. Slowly and gradually contract your pelvic floor until you reach maximum strength.Then slowly return to your relaxed position.

“I had a difficult pregnancy 2+ years ago and was still in a lot of pain. Madhu was able to help me and give me my life back! I can finally be an active mother to my kids and enjoy my life pain free. I highly recommend coming to Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists if you are in any pain. Life is too short to miss out on being as active as you can be.” -Natalie

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Feel Better Faster It is our belief that all patients should receive quality one-on-one care in a private environment. Our highly trained staff will work together to bring you quality non-surgical treatment in the field of women’s/ men’s pelvic health and orthopedic rehabilitation. Our pelvic floor specialist treats musculoskeletal and neuromuscular dysfunction associated with a wide range of conditions that include, but are not limited to: • Pelvic, Perineal & Rectal Pain • Prenatal and Postnatal Dysfunction • Diastasis Recti • Pudendal Nerve Pain • Urinary and Fecal Incontinence • Urinary Urgency, Frequency & Hesitancy • Constipation • Pelvic Organ Prolapse • Interstitial Cystitis • Endometriosis • Coccydynia (Tailbone pain) • Painful Intercourse

Healthy Recipe

STRAWBERRY-CHOCOLATE GREEK YOGURT BARK INGREDIENTS • 3 cups whole-milk plain Greek yogurt • ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1½ cups sliced strawberries • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips DIRECTIONS

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir yogurt, maple syrup (or honey) and vanilla in a medium bowl. Spread on the prepared baking sheet into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle. Scatter the strawberries on top and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Freeze until very firm, at least 3 hours. To serve, cut or break into 32 pieces. To make ahead: Freeze airtight between sheets of parchment for up to 1 month; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. Equipment: Parchment paper

• Abdominal Pain & Adhesions • Low Back, Hip & Groin Pain • Chronic Prostatitis • Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence & Dysfunction • Pre- & Post- OB/GYN surgery