By Melissa Patrick, PT, DPT and Jennifer Keesee, DPT The Basics Breathing may seem like a very simple task, but many of us breathe incorrectly. Poor breathing mechanics can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Research has shown that breathing exercises can positively impact our nervous, cardiac, and musculoskeletal systems. When we pay attention to, and learn how …
Connective Tissue Restrictions: Causes, Consequences and Treatments
By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles Connective tissue (CT) restrictions are defined as a dense thickening of subcutaneous tissue that’s painful upon pinch-rolling examination. Connective tissue restrictions can contribute to urinary and bowel symptoms and pelvic pain. As this post will explain, CT restrictions can be a cause and consequence of multiple pelvic floor symptoms and syndromes. …
2022, Year of the Tiger; A Year in Review
By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles Welcome 2022, goodbye 2021! It’s been another year full of changes for Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center. With the start of the new year, we would like to acknowledge all of the changes that have occurred both virtually and in person. Last year….. Social Media Expansion and Engagement With our ever …
PHRC is accepting new patients in Pasadena, California!
By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, PHRC West Los Angeles The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is excited to announce that we are now accepting new patients in our newest location in Pasadena! Let’s be real, Los Angeles traffic is no joke. Since we opened in West LA in 2014 we have been honored to help patients from all over the greater …
Dear Doctor, Your Patients are Human; An Open Letter
By Emily Schwerdtfeger, PHRC Westlake Village Admin Assistant A patient submitted this letter following their personal experience with patient care An open letter to any doctor who’s ever seen a patient. To patients who have experienced something similar, I’m sorry and you didn’t deserve it. “I understand that doctors have limited time with patients and that medicine is …
Symptoms of a Hypertonic Pelvic Floor Follow Up Q&A
By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC West Los Angeles A while back we asked you for your questions about having a hypertonic pelvic floor. This week we answer all your questions and then some! Q- Hi! I have really tight pelvic floor muscles and pain during sex and I was wondering if you might be able to suggest any …
Pelvic Floor Education is Coming to Classrooms
By Stephanie A. Prendergast, DPT, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles “Girls aged 12 to 17 should be taught in school how to do pelvic floor exercises, according to new draft health guidelines.” – BBC News For the past 21 years my career has been focused on advancing the field of pelvic health. Last week the BBC posted an article …
Pelvic Floor Spasm with Q&A
By Stephanie A. Prendergast, DPT, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles What is a pelvic floor spasm? It is the presence of contracted, painful muscles on palpation and elevated resting pressures by vaginal manometry. If the contraction is painful, this is usually described as a cramp. Pelvic floor myalgia (a symptom) may be present without a change in pelvic floor muscle …
Restorative Movement for Reproductive Justice & Fundraising
By Melissa Patrick, PT, DPT, PHRC Merrimack On Wednesday, Saturday, June 26th 9am PDT / 12pm EDT, the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is hosting a virtual fundraiser via Zoom combining two things we care deeply about: pelvic health and racial justice. PHRC Staff member Melissa Patrick, PT, DPT, RYT will be facilitating a 60 minute movement practice entitled “Restorative …
How Pelvic Floor Physical and Occupational Therapy Helps Bowel Dysfunction
By Kim Buonomo, DPT, PHRC Lexington Did You Know…. Surveys have estimated that over four million people in the United States have frequent constipation. This is the most common digestive complaint in the United States and corresponds to a prevalence of about two percent. More Americans suffer from constipation than die from heart disease every year. The impact …
Healing Female Sexual Pain, and IG Live with Dr. Irwin Goldstein
By Stephanie A. Prendergast, DPT, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles On February 18th I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Irwin Goldstein on Instagram Live. Here is a little background on Dr. Goldstein: Dr. Irwin Goldstein is the director of San Diego Sexual Medicine, where he maintains his clinical practice, Director of Sexual Medicine at Alvarado Hospital and Clinical …
Fiber: What is it and Why is it important?
By Kim Buonomo, DPT, PHRC Lexington What is fiber and why is it important to a pelvic floor physical and occupational therapists? The American Physical and Occupational Therapy Association has stated that diet and nutrition are key components of many conditions managed by physical and occupational therapistss. Nutrition can directly affect recovery and function while an individual is under …
Pelvic Floor Muscle Function: Breathing Into Sexual Pleasure
By Karah Charette, DPT, PHRC Berkeley & San Francisco As a human being, you have a right to pleasure- safe, consensual, and sexual pleasure. We are fortunate to participate in a culture where conversations about sexuality and sexual function are becoming more mainstream and accepted. We are now having nuanced conversations about the myriad of factors that affect …
5 Ways to Relax Your Pelvic Floor!
By PHRC Admin Do you ever wonder why it is important to relax your pelvic floor? Even if you know you should, do you find yourself wondering how to do so? As a pelvic floor physical and occupational therapists, I often have patients who wonder what the value is in being able to relax the pelvic floor. In a culture …
Q&A Pelvic Floor Weakness Causes
By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles and Admin In case you missed our latest Q&A about Pelvic Floor Pain/Tightness Causes, you can read it here. If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, your pelvic organs will not have the full support they need! But what is the cause of weakness? Back in October we presented you with numerous …
Goodbye 2020, helloooo 2021 – the year of the pelvis!
By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles Last year was a year unlike any other, marked by uncertainty, loss, tragedy, stress and fear. I remember the feeling of shock and panic when I learned we needed to close most of our offices for three full weeks. As a business owner my mind was blown, that seemed like an eternity. …
Q&A For Pelvic Pain/Tightness Causes
By Stephanie Prendergast, PHRC Cofounder, Los Angeles If you have been a long time follower of As the Pelvic Turns, then you might remember the Q&A we did years ago about Pelvic Floor Drops, Weak and Tight Muscles, Tilted Pelvis and More. As the years go by, new research, information and overall growth in the field occurs. With this, we …
Pelvic Pain Through the Lens of Curiosity: What Can You Learn?
By Karah Charette, DPT, PHRC San Francisco & Berkeley Pain might be one of the most pesky forms of mindfulness. When you are in pain, it is usually all you can think about. It draws you into the present moment whether you want to be or not. In this moment, there also often comes the fear that you have no …
How to Use Mindful Somatic Movement for Pelvic Pain Relief: Video Included!
By Maryssa Steffan, DPT, PHRC Berkeley Pelvic pain can feel like you are stuck in an endless cycle of symptoms. It may feel like you are doomed forever. When your body is tense and your fear is feeding the pain response, moving your body may be the last thing you want to do. You may wonder how you can possibly …
EmBODYment
By Maryssa Steffen, DPT, PHRC Berkeley Have you ever noticed the relationship between your feelings and your bodily sensations? For example, have you ever noticed that gut-wrenching feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you know something is wrong, or you just got bad news? Or your heart rate suddenly increases when you get scared or nervous? …
More on Mindfulness for Pelvic Pain Relief
By Shannon Pacella, DPT, PHRC Lexington What comes to your mind when you think about the word mindfulness? Perhaps a sense of calmness. Maybe serenity or focus or peacefulness. All of these would apply. Or maybe you have no idea what mindfulness is; if that is the case then check out this blog post first: What is Mindfulness and …