Women’s Health and Other Specialties
Women’s Health
Pain with Pregnancy
Hormones are high during pregnancy. One hormone, relaxin, causes ligaments to loosen in preparation for birth. Occasionally, ligaments become too loose and the pelvic area becomes unstable. This leads to pain at the low back, pelvis, or buttock area.
I use manual techniques to address pain and work to help stabilize this area through exercise and/or specific supports.
Urinary leakage or Pelvic Dysfunction
Your pelvic floor is made up of muscles! Who knew?!
These muscles of the pelvic floor can become weak or tense and painful just like the other muscles in your body. Because your pelvic floor muscles are responsible for keeping you continent, if they become weak you are likely to not be able to hold your urine, especially when you cough, laugh, sneeze or exercise. If the muscles are too tight, you may have pain. There are specific ways to gently stretch these muscles to allow you to function normally in your daily activities and personal life.
I will evaluate and treat these problems with a gentle, respectful, and professional approach.
Other Conditions We Treat
Male or female, you may not have had cancer, but you still have pain, tightness, or weakness that you need help with. While we specialize in breast cancer rehabilitation and women’s health, we also treat more general musculoskeletal conditions like muscle pain and weakness, joint pain, and scar tightness/pain.
Soft Tissue (Muscle) Pain/Myofascial Restrictions
Pain in a muscle may be caused by what is known as trigger points which are taut bands of muscle fibers that present as “knots” in your muscles. These trigger points may cause significant pain at the site of the knot or may cause radiation of pain into different areas of your body.
Fascia is a thin membrane of connective tissue that is found underneath your skin and covers all of the muscles and organs. Fascia acts to support structures in your body and allows for functional movement. It can be very tight after injury or surgery and can cause ongoing pain or motion restriction. Because fascia lies over muscles, both the muscle and the fascia need to be able to allow for full movement of that body part. If the fascia is tight, the movement will be restricted and pain will occur.
Some of the most commonly known types of fascial restrictions are plantar fasciitis-where the fascia at the bottom of the foot becomes tight and causes significant pain along the foot and into the heel. Iliotibial band (IT Band) tightness is also common as this fascial band along the side of the upper leg becomes tight from the hip to the knee. While plantar fasciitis and IT Band syndrome are commonly known fascial conditions, it is important to consider fascial restrictions after any surgery or injury as well.
Manual therapy techniques such as myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization are very beneficial treatments I use to improve the flexibility of tight tissue and help reduce pain and improve your functional mobility.
Scar Tissue Tightness
Have you had surgery or experienced an injury that caused scarring? When you’ve had trauma to your skin, as with any type of surgery, you may find that you have pain at your incision site.
I treat these with gentle manual techniques to soften the tissue, stretch the tight fascia, and address the scar tissue restrictions with the goal of reducing pain and tissue restriction. I will also give you appropriate stretching exercises to improve your functional mobility and help you return to your daily activities
Deconditioning/General Debility
Debility (weakness) or deconditioning (lack of endurance) is a complex process and can result from a variety of circumstances such as extended bedrest due to surgical procedures or illness. Symptoms include loss of endurance, loss of function and ability to complete daily activities.
I will work with you to determine your specific needs, develop a custom program of activities and exercises, and help you implement routines to increase your strength and endurance so you can get back to the activities you desire.
Joint Immobility or Pain
Low back, neck, shoulder, knee or other joint pain can occur at any time and may be due to many factors including arthritis, injury, weakness or posture. If you’ve had joint surgery or a joint replacement (knee, hip, etc.) that still feels tight or painful, therapy can help. Joint stiffness or pain can occur at any time after surgery — months to years after. Soft tissue dysfunction with ongoing pain is common after surgery due to scarring or joint immobility.
I take a comprehensive approach to determine the potential cause of the pain and develop an individualized treatment plan which may include stretching, strengthening, soft tissue work, postural awareness exercises and education.