Pelvic Health Therapy
Pelvic health therapy focuses on pelvic therapy to optimize function
with bladder health, bowel health, sexual health and function, pregnancy and postpartum healing, and pelvic pain.
Common Conditions Treated:
Pain in pregnancy: pubic symphysis dysfunction, back pain, SI joint pain
A pregnant person who wants to prepare for labor and delivery
A person who is postpartum and wants to make a safe transition back to daily activities and exercise
Healing after a vaginal or cesarean delivery
Pelvic girdle pain
Pain with intercourse
Pain with using a tampon or menstrual cup
Diastasis rectii
Urinary incontinence (leaking), frequency, or urgency
Constipation
Fecal urgency or incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
Tailbone pain
Endometriosis
Hip pain
Low back pain
You may have been told “there’s nothing you can do” when you mentioned you leak urine when you exercise. Or maybe you’ve heard “then don’t exercise.”
Your whole life you have said “I just have a small bladder” and you can’t go anywhere without making sure you know how you can access a bathroom.
Or maybe you have said “it’s not a big deal, of course I have pelvic pain, I had a baby!”
But these common challenges are not inevitable.
Your body is connected (“hip bone’s connected to the knee bone…” you know the song) and therefore we can look beyond your pelvic floor to address your pelvic floor symptoms.
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Upper back stiffness and pain
Elbow or wrist pain
TMJ dysfunction (jaw pain)
…and root to bloom is here for you.
Sometimes you may only have an orthopedic condition, and we can address that too.You may be looking for support for other things like:
Birth Prep and Fourth Trimester Planning
During your pregnancy you make sure to sign up for all the classes - childbirth, breastfeeding, CPR. And of course a newborn essentials class because you want to make sure you can give your newborn the care they need and deserve! There is just one thing missing… preparing to take care of YOU.
Knowledge is power. Education and preparation can alleviate fear and anxiety that can surround pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.
Fourth trimester planning starts during pregnancy, because taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby.
Birth prep sessions can include:
Yoga for birth prep: how you can establish a home yoga program to prepare your body for labor and delivery
Education on labor positions
Education on perineal massage and other ways that you can start to prepare your body for labor and delivery
Education on the role of the pelvic floor in labor and delivery
Strategies for pushing
Fourth trimester planning sessions can include:
What to expect when it comes to healing from vaginal or cesarean delivery
Strategies for how to move after baby - getting out of bed, holding and feeding your baby, lifting the car seat and more
Education and tips on bowel and bladder health in early postpartum
When and how you can safely move your body in the early postpartum phase to help support healing
How to set up your home to support rest and recovery
Identifying potential support needs and connecting you with resources
Birth Prep and Fourth Trimester Planning sessions may be stand alone sessions or incorporated into your pelvic health therapy sessions, and can be in person or virtually as remote consults.
The Root To Bloom Process:
Root
The Root to Bloom process starts with identifying the root cause of your symptoms. First is a deep dive into your story which includes your symptoms, lifestyle, habits, and medical history, then I assess your whole body. While the pelvic floor is the “root” of your body, it impacts and is impacted by, everything. This is the stage where I encourage to trust in the process and yourself.
Grow
Now that the root cause has been identified, growth can happen. I will guide you in the tools you need to change habits, rewire your nervous system, challenge the patterns that you have had, and challenge you with new ways to move and gain strength. This is the stage where creativity and open mindedness fuels the changes in your life.
Bloom
Your nervous system has been rewired so you find lasting results, and you have realized that you are worthwhile and your needs matter. Now, you can thrive in life - trusting that your symptoms won’t come back.
At Root to Bloom you will always be seen in a spacious private treatment room without harsh fluorescent lighting, never in a big open gym.
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The perinatal period is pregnancy and postpartum - and I firmly believe that once postpartum, always postpartum.
Pelvic health therapy is a rehab speciality that focuses on the pelvis and functions associated with this region (like bladder & bowel health, sexual health, dysfunctions like pain)
Every body has a pelvic floor, regardless of your assigned sex at birth, or whether you have been pregnant.
I have chosen to specialize in supporting those in the perinatal period.
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I take a holistic approach which means I look at your whole body, lifestyle, and goals.
This means that I look beyond the pelvic floor at your whole body, and I look at who you are - you are more than a birthing person and parent.
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Nothing is ever required.
An internal pelvic floor exam can be beneficial to give us more information about what may be contributing to your symptoms. However, it is not the only way for me to gather information.
It is my job to provide education about exam and treatment options there are, and provide you the risks and benefits of them, so that you can feel confident in your decisions.
It is your role to make the decisions.
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I believe that every individual has unique needs and it is my goal to develop a plan of care that takes your needs into account.
I do typically recommend an evaluation and 3-4 follow up visits so that we gather all of the information and lay a strong foundation for you to achieve your goals.
From there, we will discuss what may be needed to reach your goals.
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You will get uninterrupted time to share your story, experience, and desires. This lays the foundation for our work together, and helps to get to the root of your needs.
I will then share what I understand about your story, medical history, goals, and symptoms, and ask follow up questions. This lays the foundation for your assessment, and our collaborative goal setting.
I take a whole body approach to your assessment, and this means that I look at how you are moving, your muscle strength and function, posture, breathing, and your overall mobility. This may also include external and internal pelvic floor muscle assessment.
Based on your history and assessment we will look at options for treatment plans, and collaborate to find the best path for you. This will include education, because having a strong understanding of your body, what may be going on, and what to expect is key to reaching your goals.
Treatment sessions will include education, hands on treatments, movement, mindfulness, and habit change to help you achieve your goals.
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You will be seen in your home, at the Root to Bloom office in Wakefield, or via a HIPAA compliant telehealth system if appropriate.
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I strongly believe that all pregnant and postpartum individuals can benefit from pelvic health therapy. See my Birth Prep and Fourth Trimester Planning section for more information. It’s never too soon to schedule an evaluation!
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Typically, I like to do a check in virtually around 3-4 weeks postpartum to identify and address any challenges you may be facing. I recommend a full session around 6 weeks postpartum, and provide these early postpartum visits in your home. Your baby is always welcome, and I encourage you to feed and care for your baby as needed throughout the session. I build in plenty of time when I schedule your appointment!
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In the state of Massachusetts, a referral is not required for physical therapy. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy I am qualified to know if your situation warrants additional medical evaluation, and I will not hesitate to refer you to the appropriate physician.