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Insurance, Hormones, and the Help You Need

In Menopause/Perimenopause by Stephanie Prendergast

By PHRC Admin   Let us help you untangle something that should be so simple yet is not and continues to be a problem for many; accessibility to healthcare that thousands across the nation need and could benefit from. There exists a notable disparity in the healthcare sector, often overlooked. It’s the inequality faced by individuals going through menopause when …

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Article Review: Birth Control Pills Linked With Depression

In Pregnancy/Postpartum by Stephanie Prendergast

By PHRC Admin    Depression, a common and serious medical illness, affects how we feel, think, and handle daily activities. In recent years, there’s been growing concern over the potential link between hormonal birth control and depression. Join us for a review of an article linking Oral contraceptives (OCPs) to depression! We thank Fiona Riddle for writing on this topic; …

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10 Tips to Decrease Your Pelvic Pain

In Female Pelvic Pain by Elizabeth Akincilar

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 …

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Clinical Manifestations of Endometriosis

In Endometriosis by Jandra Mueller

By Jandra Mueller, DPT, MS, PHRC Encinitas   Endometriosis is well known for its significant menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), and often silent infertility. It has long been thought that this disease is a ‘women’s’ disease or menstrual disease allowing for a long history of hysterectomies and hormone suppression aimed at suppressing menstruation.    Sampson’s theory of retrograde menstruation has been perpetuated …

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The Link Between Pelvic Floor Muscles and Sexual Satisfaction

In Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy by Emily Tran

By PHRC Admin The human body is an intricate masterpiece, and within its depths lies a source of immense pleasure and connection: the pelvic floor muscles. Often overlooked or underestimated, these muscles play a vital role in sexual arousal and orgasm. In this blog post, we will explore the wonders of the pelvic floor muscles and how understanding and harnessing …

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An Unsettling Reality Exposed by “The Retrievals” Podcast

In Female Pelvic Pain by Emily Tran

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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Emphasizing Sexual Awareness: National Condom Week

In Male Pelvic Pain by Elizabeth Akincilar

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 therapists, understanding the intricate relationship between sexual health and pelvic health is …

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Vulvodynia: Do’s, Don’ts, + Symptom Management

In Vulvodynia by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

 By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   The diagnosis of Vulvodynia can be confusing, scary, and overwhelming. Studies show that vulvar pain affects as many as 1 in 3 women at some point during their lives and the medical community is finally getting better at diagnosing and treating it! ‘Vulvodynia’ simply means pain in the vulva. We consider …

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Dermatomes: Let’s Get Into It

In pudendal neuralgia by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   At PHRC we love anatomy! As physical therapists we have advanced training in the neuromuscular systems of our body. Knowing where things come from and where things go help make us expert diagnosticians and treatment providers! Here is insight into which nerve roots are responsible for sensation in our pelvis. As …

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Understanding Chronic Pain: A Journey Through Unseen Struggles

In Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By PHRC Admin In a world where we’re accustomed to physical discomfort being temporary, it’s hard to imagine what living with chronic pain feels like. It’s not just an ongoing ache or discomfort. It’s a complex, multifaceted experience that can seep into every aspect of life, making even the simplest tasks daunting. Explaining chronic pain to someone who hasn’t experienced …

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Clitoral Pain: Unmasking Common Culprits 

In Female Pelvic Pain by Stephanie PrendergastLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   The sole purpose of the clitoris is to be a source of pleasure. For anyone who has experienced provoked or unprovoked clitoral pain their experience can be the opposite and very alarming. There are a number of reasons why people may have clitoral pain and there are also solutions. However like …

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Everyday Activities Supported by Pelvic Floor Muscles

In Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy by Emily Tran1 Comment

The Unsung Heroes: Everyday Activities Supported by Pelvic Floor Muscles By PHRC Admin   While often overlooked, the pelvic floor muscles are unsung heroes that play a vital role in supporting everyday activities. These muscles, located at the base of the pelvis, provide structural support to our internal organs and facilitate essential functions. In this blog post, we will explore …

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As The Pelvis Turns: Top Blogs of 2023

In Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By PHRC Admin Team   As we find ourselves on the cusp of a new year, it’s time to take a nostalgic walk down memory lane and revisit the top blogs of 2023. This year has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with insightful discussions, enlightening discoveries, and inspiring stories from all across the globe. So, let’s wrap up the year …

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Symptoms of Perimenopause

In Menopause/Perimenopause by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles   Perimenopause and menopause are finally getting more attention & we’re grateful this is finally happening because people in these phases of life are struggling with TREATABLE symptoms.   People think of perimenopause as a time marked by irregular periods but much more than that is happening. It can begin as early …

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Demystifying Pelvic Floor Disorders

In Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy by Emily TranLeave a Comment

By PHRC Admin     Pelvic floor disorders are a group of medical conditions that affect millions worldwide. Despite their prevalence, these disorders often remain undiagnosed and untreated due to lack of awareness and social stigma. In this blog post, we will summarize key information from an article by Today’s Woman that our cofounder, Stephanie Prendergast was interviewed for. We …

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Success Story: Exploring the Clinical Presentation of CPPS

In Interstitial Cystitis 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 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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Triumph Through Telehealth: Jim’s Journey Overcoming Chronic Prostatitis

In Digital Health by Emily Tran3 Comments

By Melissa Patrick, PT, DPT, RYT , PHRC Lexington   For the estimated 15% of men worldwide who suffer from pelvic pain, finding the right providers to properly diagnose and treat their pain can be a daunting task, especially when seeking local options in their community. As a result, some patients end up traveling long distances to receive care.  Fortunately, …

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Updated 2023 Virtual Services

In Digital 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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National Breast Cancer Month: Raising Awareness

In Female Pelvic Pain by Emily Tran1 Comment

By PHRC Admin Team   October is National Breast Cancer Month, a time to raise awareness about this deadly disease that affects millions of people across the globe. Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common form of cancer among women in the United States .   This month …