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An Unsettling Reality Exposed by “The Retrievals” Podcast

In Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Pain by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By PHRC Admin & Co-Author Cecilia Plaza, J.D   Have you listened to The Retrievals podcast series?  In a world where pain is subjective, women often find themselves marginalized, dismissed, and even ignored when it comes to their own experiences of pain. This issue has recently been brought to light through a thought-provoking podcast called “The Retrievals,” hosted by Susan …

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Success Story: Exploring the Clinical Presentation of CPPS

In Male Interstitial Cystitis / Nonbacterial Chronic Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Pain by Emily Tran1 Comment

By Lauren Rogne, PT, DPT, PHRC San Francisco     The case of the mysterious pelvic pain – Exploring the clinical presentation of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) Background Ben is a 35 year old with sudden onset of urinary tract-like infection symptoms, including urinary frequency, urgency, pain and burning. He visited his doctor, and his urinalysis came back negative …

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Tarlov Cysts: Everything You Need to Know

In Female Pelvic Pain, Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   What are Tarlov Cysts? Tarlov cysts (a.k.a. perineural cysts) are cerebrospinal fluid-filled sacs found near the nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal canal, most commonly in the sacral spine area (the lower back and tailbone).    While it is not known exactly what causes these cysts, they have …

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Updated 2023 Virtual Services

In Female Pelvic Pain, Male Pelvic Pain, Menopause, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Telehealth, pelvic floor yoga and pilates, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain, Pregnancy and Postpartum Pelvic Health by Emily Tran2 Comments

By PHRC Admin Team   Did you know that the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center offers a variety of virtual health services?   Often people do not understand their symptoms until they stumble upon our website, blog, or social media channels. Some people have a diagnosis but they do not have a pelvic floor physical therapist locally to help them. …

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Embracing Sexual Health Awareness: Chronic Pain & Intimacy

In Pain, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain, Vaginismus by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By Emily Tran, PHRC Westlake Village   September marks Sexual Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health and well-being. One often overlooked aspect of sexual health is the impact of chronic pain on intimacy. Millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, and it can significantly affect their relationships and sex lives. In …

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Male Pelvic Health: Erectile Dysfunction Causes & Treatments

In Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the leading cause of sexual dysfunction in men affecting one in five men. It is defined as the inability to achieve & maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. There are several causes for ED. Vasculogenic, or due to an issue with blood supply, is the …

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It’s National Men’s Health Week!

In Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles National Men’s Health Week is held each year from June 8-14, and it is a time to raise awareness about the health of men and boys. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of preventive care, early detection, and treatment of medical conditions.   Men tend to avoid doctor visits, with …

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Common Prepartum Symptoms and Their Treatments

In Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Telehealth, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain, Pregnancy and Postpartum Pelvic Health by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   If you are expecting, plan to be in the future or know someone that is, here are some common Prepartum symptoms! Low back pain- Foot and back pain are due to hormonal and musculoskeletal changes. Studies have shown that 40% to 60% of women will experience back pain during pregnancy and …

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Hormonal Prepartum Changes and Postpartum Complaints

In Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain, Pregnancy and Postpartum Pelvic Health by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   Hormones play a vital role in day-to-day function. They allow for the organs to communicate with each other so that we can filter toxic waste, grow muscle, sleep well . . . . and even grow a human! Let’s take a look at what happens during pregnancy: Estrogen goes up, elevating …

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Navigating Mental Health: Strategies for Managing Your Mental Well-Being

In Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Uncategorized by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By Emily Tran, PHRC Admin, Westlake Village   Pelvic pain can be a source of significant stress and anxiety for individuals. Living with chronic pelvic pain can often lead to feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and even depression. It’s important to recognize the impact pelvic pain can have on mental health. Here are a few ways mental health can affect pelvic …

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Tight Lipped: You’re Not Alone; Patient-Led Communities

In Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by pelv_adminLeave a Comment

By Tight Lipped, guest blogger.   “My doctor in college told me that my partner simply ‘didn’t know what he was doing’, and that’s why it felt like his penis was hitting a wall inside me.” “When I saw a doctor for my vaginal pain, he told me to use a cucumber to stretch out my vagina.”  “So many doctors …

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Success Story: Constipation and Urinary Retention Resolved

In Female Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome, Male Interstitial Cystitis / Nonbacterial Chronic Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Melinda Fontaine1 Comment

By: Melinda Fontaine, DPT, PHRC Walnut Creek   Darnell took a trip to Europe a few months ago with his spouse. They had planned a wonderful vacation, but what they didn’t plan for was Darnell not being able to urinate or have a bowel movement (BM) for nine days! He took magnesium citrate which helped him produce partial BMs. When …

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March is Endometriosis Month; Current News and Updates

In Endometriosis, Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Jandra MuellerLeave a Comment

By Jandra Mueller, DPT, MS, PHRC Encinitas   March is the month where we get to talk about all things Endometriosis. Endometriosis (‘endo’) is an estrogen mediated, inflammatory disease characterized by endometrial-like tissue found outside of the uterus. Most commonly it is found in the abdominal and pelvic cavity, but can be found elsewhere in the body as well. Endo …

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The Case of the Mysterious Hip and Testicular Pain

In Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Molly Bachmann3 Comments

By Molly Bachmann PT, DPT, Birth Doula, PHRC San Francisco, CA One of the most common questions I receive as a physical therapist is “But why does it hurt? How did I get this?” Sometimes, these questions are really challenging to answer. Other times, there is a distinct root cause. Let me tell you the story about a patient with …

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Why Do Men Develop Penile Pain? Plus video resources!

In Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy by Elizabeth AkincilarLeave a Comment

By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack   One in 10 men will suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome at some point in their symptoms. Men can develop penile pain for numerous reasons: Excessive exercise Aggressive force and/or frequency of masturbation Persisting pain after disease, infection or inflammation Aggressive jelqing, attempts at foreskin regeneration, penile enhancement protocols   Symptoms of …

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What is Ischial Bursitis and How Can Pelvic Floor PT Help?

In Female Pelvic Pain, Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Lauren OpatrnyLeave a Comment

By Lauren Opatrny, PT, DPT, PHRC San Francisco, CA   Ischial bursitis, or ischiogluteal bursitis, is a condition where the bursa that lies between the ischial tuberosity and the gluteus maximus muscle becomes inflamed.(1) Ischial tuberosities are the bones that we sit on and are commonly referred to as your “sits bones.” They provide support for the body while sitting …

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Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: Facts, Information and Myths Busted

In Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Uncategorized by Elizabeth Akincilar2 Comments

By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack   Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder. It affects the skin, joints, and blood vessel walls. It causes joint hypermobility (joints that move too much!) which can result in joint dysfunction and pain. If many joints are affected, it can cause muscle dysfunction throughout the body, as the muscles …

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What is Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD/GPD)? Part 2

In Endometriosis, Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   In 2021, a panel of experts published a consensus and management of care paper on Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The paper describes a treatment algorithm involving five different therapeutic targets for PGAD/PGD! The paper describes how clinicians newer to treating this diagnosis can …

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What is Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD/GPD)? Part 1

In Endometriosis, Female Pelvic Pain, Pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) is a syndrome characterized by unwanted genital arousal in nonsexual situations and was first described in 2001. The syndrome is being studied and in 2021 the International Society for the Study of Women’s Health (ISSWSH) published new guidelines about PGAD, broadening the term to genito-pelvic dysesthesia …

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Myofascial Trigger Point: What They Cause + Treatments

In Female Pelvic Pain, Male Pelvic Pain, Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   Trigger points can cause local pain at the site of the trigger point and/or they can cause referred pain in a location distant from the trigger point itself. Trigger points in each muscle have common referral patterns that have been well documented in the medical literature.   Trigger points can …

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Ilioinguinal Neuralgia: Causes and Treatment

In Female Pudendal Neuralgia, Male Pudendal Neuralgia, Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Pain by Stephanie Prendergast1 Comment

By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   Ilioinguinal neuralgia is typically caused by a surgical procedure or an inguinal hernia.   A hernia is when tissue pooches through the abdominal wall due to a weak point in the abdomen. An inguinal hernia, which is a hernia in the inguinal canal, can put pressure on the ilioinguinal nerve, …