April 2019 Newsletter
Coccydynia - Tailbone Pain
Coccydynia is defined as pain in the coccyx or tailbone. The tailbone is the very end of your spine and has a natural slightly curved shape. This bone is the site of multiple muscle and ligament attachments and serves as a support structure when seated. Because of this function, pain typically occurs with touch to the tailbone, sitting- especially on a hard surface, transitioning from sitting to standing, and during defecation. Common causes include trauma (falls and childbirth), prolonged sitting, degenerative joint disease, or too much/too little joint movement. Pain could also be referred from the lumbar spine, pelvic floor muscles, bony spurs or infections. Usually, pain can be the result of multiple sources, and the skill of a pelvic floor physical therapist can help determine appropriate treatments.
For example, research as shown that stretching of hip muscles, including the piriformis and iliopsoas, has had benefits on decreasing tailbone pain. Furthermore, conjunction of stretches with addressing spinal mobility has shown a decrease in pain and improved sitting tolerance. Additionally, research shows effectiveness of tailbone manipulation and tailbone muscle massage performed rectally. It’s important to note that a single tailbone manipulation or mobilization is not likely to decrease pain immediately. People usually have a false belief that a single movement “back into place” will make the pain go away. This is rarely true. Our muscles and nerves also require time to become less sensitive to whatever changes have occurred since the time of injury or start of pain. It can take weeks or month to have significant pain reduction. In the meantime, it may be helpful to use a donut cushion, take a sitz bath, and apply ice or topical analgesics to help manage pain.
If pain continues in severity it may be important to consult your therapist and pain management physician regarding more aggressive treatments such as steroid injections, anesthetic injections or nerve blocks.
For example, research as shown that stretching of hip muscles, including the piriformis and iliopsoas, has had benefits on decreasing tailbone pain. Furthermore, conjunction of stretches with addressing spinal mobility has shown a decrease in pain and improved sitting tolerance. Additionally, research shows effectiveness of tailbone manipulation and tailbone muscle massage performed rectally. It’s important to note that a single tailbone manipulation or mobilization is not likely to decrease pain immediately. People usually have a false belief that a single movement “back into place” will make the pain go away. This is rarely true. Our muscles and nerves also require time to become less sensitive to whatever changes have occurred since the time of injury or start of pain. It can take weeks or month to have significant pain reduction. In the meantime, it may be helpful to use a donut cushion, take a sitz bath, and apply ice or topical analgesics to help manage pain.
If pain continues in severity it may be important to consult your therapist and pain management physician regarding more aggressive treatments such as steroid injections, anesthetic injections or nerve blocks.
Self Recovery
Self Recovery is a private, online addiction recovery program designed by a highly respected local psychiatrist, Daniel Hochman, MD. The program makes a difficult process simple by seamlessly integrating all the best proven strategies that normally take many treatments to discover. It is so effective because of its holistic model that guides people through the underlying emotional causes of addiction.
Being online and on-demand, Self Recovery solves real life challenges like hectic schedules, family needs, tight budgets, and fear of judgment. It can be as private or shared as you'd like and still fill in gaps to reach a healthier life.
To read a blog written by Dr. Hochman, please see https://www.selfrecovery.org/blog/
Learn more at: https://www.selfrecovery.org/
Being online and on-demand, Self Recovery solves real life challenges like hectic schedules, family needs, tight budgets, and fear of judgment. It can be as private or shared as you'd like and still fill in gaps to reach a healthier life.
To read a blog written by Dr. Hochman, please see https://www.selfrecovery.org/blog/
Learn more at: https://www.selfrecovery.org/
SPT Spotlight
Shelbi Rhoda, Patient Care Coordinator
Shelbi Rhoda received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Tarleton State University in May of 2018. She is currently working towards earning an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant through St. Catherine University. In the meantime, Shelbi is enjoying working at Sullivan Physical Therapy where she is gaining patient care knowledge, healthcare management skills, and the opportunity to make every patient’s visit one they look forward to.
Shelbi was born in Colorado but raised to be a true Texan. She has been a small-town girl living in Texas for most of her life but just recently moved to the big city of Austin. She is loving all the adventure, possibilities, and uniqueness Austin has to offer.
Shelbi is extremely family oriented and in her spare time she enjoys being out in nature, reading a good book, and going on walks with her puppy Kingsley.
Shelbi was born in Colorado but raised to be a true Texan. She has been a small-town girl living in Texas for most of her life but just recently moved to the big city of Austin. She is loving all the adventure, possibilities, and uniqueness Austin has to offer.
Shelbi is extremely family oriented and in her spare time she enjoys being out in nature, reading a good book, and going on walks with her puppy Kingsley.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
- On March 3, Rachel Madera finished Yoga Teacher Training and received recognition for over 200 hours of class. Congrats, Rachel!
- On March 4, Lauren Steele spoke with mothers who are expecting at the Austin Area Birthing Center.
- On March 29, We said goodbye to Becky Maidansky. Becky joined us in the Fall of 2017 and we have enjoyed working with her over the last year and half. Becky is moving on to work in home health physical therapy and we wish her the best. All of Becky's patients will be assigned a new physical therapist starting April 1.
Upcoming Dates
April 2
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center
April 3
Sadie Minkoff L.Ac., FABORM from Sage Acupuncture will be educating the physical therapy team on their approach to acupuncture.
April 6
Amethyst Guerrero, Anissa Akrout and Lauren Steele are attending Vulvar Dermatology and Pelvic Pain for physical therapists and physicians hosted by Dr. Andrew Goldstein
April 11
Peg Syverson with Appamada will be coming to Sullivan Physical Therapy to teach the staff how to use meditation techniques and guide them through a meditation session. She is coming as part of the staff's commitment to work/life balance and selfcare.
April 13
Pelvic Pain Support Group 10 to 11:15 am 4131 Spicewood Springs Road Suite M-1 Austin, Texas 78759
RSVP prior to joining the group: brittanyneece@gmail.com or 512-814-6027
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center
April 3
Sadie Minkoff L.Ac., FABORM from Sage Acupuncture will be educating the physical therapy team on their approach to acupuncture.
April 6
Amethyst Guerrero, Anissa Akrout and Lauren Steele are attending Vulvar Dermatology and Pelvic Pain for physical therapists and physicians hosted by Dr. Andrew Goldstein
April 11
Peg Syverson with Appamada will be coming to Sullivan Physical Therapy to teach the staff how to use meditation techniques and guide them through a meditation session. She is coming as part of the staff's commitment to work/life balance and selfcare.
April 13
Pelvic Pain Support Group 10 to 11:15 am 4131 Spicewood Springs Road Suite M-1 Austin, Texas 78759
RSVP prior to joining the group: brittanyneece@gmail.com or 512-814-6027
PT Below the Waist
Jamille Niewiara and Jessica Chastka are co-hosts of Sullivan Physical Therapy's podcast called "PT: Below the Waist", a patient oriented podcast discussing topics related to pelvic floor physical therapy and how it addresses bladder, bowel, and sexual function issues. The podcast features two pelvic floor physical therapists casually conversing about their experiences and thoughts towards pelvic floor related issues.
Every few weeks, they will be posting podcasts about different diagnoses, tips/recommendations to address symptoms, and interviews with medical professionals. Subscribe to their podcast on iTunes, follow them on Twitter @PTBelowTheWaist, and like them on FaceBook. Leave comments and questions on their email: PTBelowTheWaist@gmail.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy encourages you to listen to their podcasts and get enlightened about "Better Pee, Better Poo, Better Sex".
To listen to our latest podcast please click here.
Every few weeks, they will be posting podcasts about different diagnoses, tips/recommendations to address symptoms, and interviews with medical professionals. Subscribe to their podcast on iTunes, follow them on Twitter @PTBelowTheWaist, and like them on FaceBook. Leave comments and questions on their email: PTBelowTheWaist@gmail.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy encourages you to listen to their podcasts and get enlightened about "Better Pee, Better Poo, Better Sex".
To listen to our latest podcast please click here.
Sullivan Physical Therapy & Austin Area Birthing Center
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy is standard in some other countries, with health systems recognizing that preventative care during the crucial healing period following delivery can save women from future suffering and save the system hundreds of thousands of dollars in medications and surgeries farther down the line. Problems such as incontinence, prolapse, scar pain, diastasis recti, back or hip pain, and pain with intercourse can be addressed and eliminated or even prevented all together with a post partum evaluation and recommendations or exercises from a pelvic floor physical therapist trained in postpartum health. To this point, these services are rarely offered in the United States.
Sullivan Physical Therapy is excited to partner with Austin Area Birthing Center in creating this type of whole- person care for clients. Christina McGee PT, DPT, will be on site at Austin Area Birthing Center South Thursday afternoons to provide physical therapy evaluations and treatments to pregnant and postpartum AABC clients to maximize health and healing and allow patients to get back to activities safely following delivery. At this time, insurance will not be accepted for visits performed at AABC.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service and schedule an appointment or email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy is excited to partner with Austin Area Birthing Center in creating this type of whole- person care for clients. Christina McGee PT, DPT, will be on site at Austin Area Birthing Center South Thursday afternoons to provide physical therapy evaluations and treatments to pregnant and postpartum AABC clients to maximize health and healing and allow patients to get back to activities safely following delivery. At this time, insurance will not be accepted for visits performed at AABC.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service and schedule an appointment or email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
