By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack As pelvic therapists, we work closely with patients experiencing chronic pelvic pain and urinary dysfunction. One of the most challenging and often misunderstood diagnoses we see is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)—also referred to as Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS). Thanks to recent research, we’re beginning to understand this condition in more depth, especially the distinction …
Understanding Pelvic Neuralgias: What You Need to Know
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack If you’re experiencing sharp, burning, or shooting pain in your pelvis, genitals, or anal/rectal area—especially when sitting, or with urinary, bowel or sexual functioning—it may be due to a pelvic neuralgia. These nerve-related pain conditions are often underdiagnosed and misunderstood, even though they can severely impact daily life. As pelvic therapists, we regularly …
Origins of Our Private Parts: A Fascinating Etymology Lesson
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, PHRC Lexington SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT At the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, we talk about the pelvis all day long. But today, instead of focusing on how it works, let’s explore something just as interesting—where our body part names actually come from! If you’ve ever wondered why we call certain body parts what we do, you’re …
Dry Needling- How It’s Relevant To Pelvic Health
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Let’s Talk Dry Needling What is dry needling? If you’ve ever found yourself asking this question, then this is the blog for you! This week we’re diving into dry needling to give you everything you need to know! From definitions, to variations, to the differences between dry needling and acupuncture- We’re covering it …
Common Pelvic Floor Health Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack The pelvic floor plays a significant role in several crucial functions, including bowel health, sexual function, and balance. However, certain common habits and misconceptions can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. Did you know we were featured in an Insider magazine article? Let’s review these common mistakes and hopefully give you a few ways …
10 Common Behaviors that Can Lead to Pelvic Pain
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Pelvic pain is a complex condition that can have various causes, including medical conditions, injuries, and certain behaviors. In this blog, we will discuss 10 common behaviors that can potentially lead to pelvic pain(and potentially chronic pelvic pain). It’s important to note that while these behaviors may contribute to pelvic pain, they …
10 Tips to Decrease Your Pelvic Pain
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Pelvic pain can significantly impact your quality of life, but there are steps you can take to decrease or minimize this discomfort. In this blog, we will discuss 10 tips that can help alleviate pelvic pain and promote overall pelvic health. Put a stool under your feet when having a bowel …
Emphasizing Sexual Awareness: National Condom Week
By PHRC Admin National Condom Week, celebrated every year from February 14th to 21st, serves as a pivotal reminder of the importance of sexual health and awareness. It provides an opportunity to educate about safe sex practices and their significance in maintaining overall wellbeing. As pelvic floor physical and occupational therapistss, understanding the intricate relationship between sexual health and pelvic …
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and it’s an important reminder of the need to prioritize preventative care and wellness for all. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, men are more likely to experience serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, diabetes, suicide, substance abuse …
A Kenyan Pelvic Health Physical and Occupational Therapy School Scholarship
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack The Jackson Clinics Foundation was formed in 2012 to fund educational efforts in East Africa. To date the foundation has sent over 100 faculty members from their clinics and from around the country to teach in east and central Africa. Some of the best and brightest physical and occupational therapistss in the United …
Why Do Men Develop Penile Pain? Plus video resources!
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 …
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: Facts, Information and Myths Busted
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 …
The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center’s 2022 Return to Kenya!
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack, Kim Buonomo, DPT, PHRC Lexington, Molly Bachmann, DPT, PHRC San Francisco The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center recently returned from their second trip to Nairobi, Kenya to teach a pelvic health course to a second cohort of physical and occupational therapistss. We taught the first cohort of physical and occupational therapistss in February …
Birth Control: Reviewing Your Options and Their Differences
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack In a post-Roe world, conversations and questions about birth control options are on the rise. Currently, everyone still has a constitutional right to contraceptives. There are many ways to prevent pregnancy, including oral medications, implantable devices, injectable medications, barrier methods, surgical interventions, fertility awareness, and abstinence. There are advantages and disadvantages for …
PHRC is going back to Nairobi, Kenya!
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack PHRC is going back to Nairobi, Kenya! The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is returning to Nairobi, Kenya to teach a pelvic health course to a second cohort of physical and occupational therapistss in October 2022. We taught the first cohort of physical and occupational therapistss in February 2020 and unfortunately …
Pudendal Neuralgia Frequently Asked Questions- Answered
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Over the last couple of years PHRC has shared many YouTube videos and educational material on Instagram educating our viewers and readers about pelvic health. We have received an overwhelming response to several of our posts discussing pudendal neuralgia. Listed below are some of the most common questions we’ve received and our answers. …
Physical and Occupational Therapy Rehab After Gender Affirming Surgeries
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Although still out of reach for many, gender affirming surgical procedures are becoming more accessible as more surgeons are offering these services and more insurance providers are covering some of the costs associated with these procedures. As more people undergo these surgical procedures the need for rehabilitative services post operatively has increased. …
Hard Flaccid: Causes, Treatments, and Symptoms
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Although our knowledge is limited with regards to hard-flaccid syndrome, based upon the minimal medical literature dedicated to this syndrome and our own experience at PHRC, hard-flaccid syndrome most commonly occurs secondary to the following: When the PFM, particularly the urogenital diaphragm, or superficial PFM, become too tight or hypertonic, they can …
Penile Pain: Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Over the last couple of years PHRC has shared many YouTube videos and educational material on Instagram educating our viewers and readers about pelvic health. We have received an overwhelming response to several of our posts discussing male pelvic pain, in particular penile pain. Listed below are some of the most common …
How Pelvic Floor PT Can Help Gynecological Cancer Survivors?
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Receiving a gynecological cancer diagnosis is wrought with emotions: fear, grief, confusion, anger, among others. Additionally, the number of medical providers that one will encounter throughout the treatment process is many. One of the important members of your interdisciplinary cancer care team is a pelvic floor physical and occupational therapists. The five …
PT Across the Lifespan: Celebrating International Women’s Day
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack As we recognize International Women’s Day in March, this is the perfect opportunity to educate our community about how pelvic floor physical and occupational therapy can benefit women and folks with uteruses throughout the different phases of their lives. The truth is, virtually all women and people with uteruses will benefit from …