Patients' Testimonials
"I am eternally grateful for all of the good that you did for me. I consider myself to be totally cured of pelvic pain at this point in time and you are the reason why. I can’t tell you how lucky I am that you discouraged surgery!"
- Joey
"After two c-sections and years of suffering from chronic pelvic pain, I met Liz Rummer at Pelvic Health and Rehab. She brought an understanding to my issues that countless visits to other professionals had never uncovered. I looked forward to each and every visit because I felt such relief each time and because I became much more knowledgeable about how my body worked. Post-partum care should involve being seen by the experts at PHARC. They are cutting edge and frontiers in this often overlooked arena of women’s health."
- Cindy
"Just before turning 30, my pelvis was in wretched shape. I couldn't sit comfortably for more than a few minutes, let alone think about riding a bike without wincing. There were other annoyances too -- like having to pee about 5 times as often as any one should and pain after intercourse.
I tried all sorts of conventional doctors and a couple of urinary specialists. Some of this helped but it wasn't until I established a routine with Liz Rummer that my life changed.
Today, at 32, I'm more active than I've been in years, thanks in large part to my pelvis not freaking out whenever I exercise. I can sit without pain again and the urinary/post-intercourse symptoms are totally gone. Most importantly, Liz has taught me methods and techniques to take control of my own well-being.
Thank you Liz & PHRC!"
"The exact date that the pelvic pain monster struck my life like lightening was 9/1/2007. The reason is unclear as to why I suddenly began suffering severe nerve pain in the pudendal distribution region of my genitals, but we can guess it's been a compilation of years of bodily insults: a dozen surgeries for endometriosis, scoliosis that left one leg seemingly a little longer than the other, foot surgery that went wrong resulting in orthotics, and a pounding lithotripsy to clear a kidney stone nearly an inch round. The nerve pain was debilitating...consuming every waking moment and most sleeping ones as well. Jeans became a luxury instead of a staple of daily wear. I couldn't even sit down due to the nerve pain. A myriad of doctors pushed me from one to the other with blank stares on their faces...they simply didn't know what was wrong with me. Multiple medical tests kept saying I was perfectly healthy, and since my pain wasn't visible to the naked eye, the 6 different medical professionals I saw could only counsel me on what type of doctor to see next. Depression quickly set in. Only through sheer determination and internet connections to people with similar pain as mine was I fortunate enough to self-diagnose and attempt to find treatment. For me, surgery to correct this mysterious and unspeakable pain was not an option, so I chose the physical therapy route in the hopes that it would bring me relief. My research for help lead me to one entity that was consistently highly recommended by its patients: PHRC. Since I had already suffered through "substandard" PT for several months with no relief, I had nothing to lose. I began working with Stephanie and Liz at PHRC who have been diligently treating me for a little more than a year now, and I'm finally healing! To borrow from an old and over-used cliche which couldn't be more fitting for my scenario, they saved my life. Recovery is slow, but they told me up front that it would be...they didn't make false promises. The methods PHRC uses are unique, customized to me, and something I can do at home daily. Today, the monster of my pelvic pain has been tamed, and what is still hanging around is completely manageable.
Moreover, the extreme fear that accompanies this pain is completely gone because the PHRC professionals have educated me about my situation. Stephanie and Liz also continuously work with me to identify contributing factors and to recommend additional appropriate medical care for those issues. I visit PHRC every few months, and I'm always pleased to hear of the advancements they are incorporating into their treatment regimens. Their tireless commitment to pelvic health proves to me that continuing my treatment with PHRC is the only path that will tweak me until I'm pain-free once again someday."
"I want to share my wonderful experience as a patient at the pelvic pain and rehab center. I was a very active, athletic woman who suddenly became stricken with acute pelvic pain, urinary urgency and frequency, sitting intolerance and many other pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms. Fortunately, I discovered that physical therapy was an excellent treatment for pelvic pain, and I contacted Stephanie Prendergast. After talking with her on the phone, I made immediate arrangements to fly out to San Francisco for treatment. Liz Rummer was my PT and I spent a week at the center. Liz was the consummate professional. I was in terrible pain and she treated me with compassion,sensitivity and humor. She educated me and treated me with very skilled hands. My week there relieved many of my early symptoms, and I was able to return home and continue my healing with a physical therapist that I was referred to through Liz Rummer. Pelvic pain is a condition that requires the expertise of highly trained physical therapists. The therapists at the pelvic pain and rehab center are leaders in the field of treating pelvic pain disorders. Individuals who suffer pelvic pain disorders can be assured they are getting optimal care in this outstanding center of excellence."
"I suffered with pudendal neuropathy for 4 years, underwent surgery, and subjected myself to three years of expensive Botox injections to all my pelvic floor muscles, but it took the expertise of the staff at PHRC to finally bring the pain level down to a level that, quote literally, gave me my life back. Where once I was bed bound, now I am active and comfortable with all of my daily activities."
"The physical therapists at Pelvic Health and Rehab Center have allowed me to gain my life back from pain and dysfunction due to endometriosis and multiple pelvic surgeries. They combine hands-on techniques with patient education in a way that is easily understood and is often a relief to anyone who has struggled with mysterious and ongoing pelvic pain for years. Their soft tissue work has released trigger points and spasming muscles that no other technique or procedure has been able to relieve. I have learned, through visits to the Pelvic Pain And Rehab Center, about my muscle holding patterns and how I can begin to break cycles of pain I thought were untouchable. I travel over two hours each way to see Liz Rummer and she has worked with my partner and trained her in many of the hands-on techniques so that we can continue the healing at home without the expense and difficulty of traveling. With these physical therapists as part of my whole medical team, I have been able to greatly improve the quality of my life. I would highly recommend any of the therapists at Pelvic Pain and Rehab Center to anyone suffering from chronic pelvic pain."
"Liz is extremely knowledgeable in her field and has helped me significantly to be pain-free after many years of "unexplained" suffering. In addition to the fast and lasting results I experienced with her treatment, I love the fact that I do not need to use medications, which had not helped in the past. I wish I had found her sooner and not wasted years in pain!"
"I cannot begin to describe what an amazing rehabilitation center the PHARC is. Liz McBride was my therapist and I just cannot say enough. For what could have been very uncomfortable therapy visits, Liz's professionalism and awesome personality made them one of my favorite things to do. SERIOUSLY! - Liz's expertise changed my life - less bathroom breaks ;-) and a revelation for my fiancé and I. For those of you stumbling on this review considering the PHARC for Pelvic Health Rehabilitation please do not hesitate; these ladies know what they are doing! Even when my urologist was puzzled, Liz set me up with the tools to ask for the correct tests, etc. I actually cried on my last appointment because I was so overwhelmed with how much life had changed for me after only a few months with Liz. She also set me up with some tools and exercises that I could do at home on an ongoing basis. AMAZING place! I'd say, don't walk, RUN to the PHARC, but since it isn't recommended that people with Pelvic issues run I'll just leave it at this. ;-) Thank you PHRC!"
"I have to say that Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is one of the best things I've done for myself and also for my relationship. I have struggled with pain with insertion for several years. Before going to see Liz McBride I had been to see two other physical therapists in the Bay Area and had also had two surgeries. None of my previous experiences seemed to help very much and I had really lost hope that I could get better. Liz was able to work a miracle. I was only able to see her for a few short months, and in that time we made leaps and bounds. Her techniques were extremely effective and different from my previous experiences. I now have less pain and anxiety because of my experience with her. Liz is such a professional and extremely nice. She made me feel perfectly comfortable in a situation that might be embarrassing for some. I've since moved out of the area, but Liz was able to show my husband how to help me keep up with my rehabilitation and we continue to improve upon what she has taught us. I would highly recommend going to Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center - even if you have tried other therapists and haven't seen results, give Liz or one of her colleagues a try. I know how frustrating it can be to live your life in pain. These ladies can really help make a difference."
" The treatments I received at Pelvic Health and Rehab for my pudendal neuralgia, pelvic floor dysfunction, and vulvodynia gave me back my life. I traveled from the east coast to spend six weeks receiving intensive physical therapy. After the incident which spurred my pelvic pain, I was almost fully disabled: constant/excruciating pain and unable to function or perform normal daily activities for almost two years. Though I soon started medications, the pain was still always present. It wasn’t until receiving my treatments at PHR that I was able to get over the hump and start to experience pain free moments, days, and even weeks. I’m happy to share that I’m now able to once again enjoy activities I didn’t know would be possible such as daily exercise, traveling, intercourse, etc.. Stephanie and Liz are compassionate, professional, and at the top of their field for the treatment and management of pelvic pain. I always felt comfortable, welcomed and relaxed at their clinic and in their care. I hope that by sharing my story that those of you reading this that are suffering or in despair have a shred of hope, it’s possible—don’t give up!"
"I suffered from common post-partum ailments that I was told would get better on their own, with time. I had urinary frequency, a mild bladder prolapse, achy hips, lower back aches, discomfort during intercourse, and a significant separation of my abdominal muscles. At four months post-partum, I wasn't feeling much better than when I was two months post-partum. After two treatments with Liz, I noticed a significant difference in all of the above listed post-partum ailments. After 4 treatments with Liz, almost all of the problems were gone. She also sent me home with some very simple exercises that I used (and still do) at home to help strengthen and retrain my muscles to "stay". I urinate every two hours now instead of every 30 minutes. My hips and lower back stopped aching and that makes for a better nights sleep, especially when my little one sleeps too :). Intercourse has become more pleasurable, and the separation of my abdominal muscles have closed significantly. It is so NICE to feel much closer to my pre-pregnancy health again and to not have to accept the idea that we have to live with what pregnancy and delivery do to our body. We don't. There is help. Thanks Liz!"