August 2019 Newsletter
Going on a Walk
Going on a walk can be a great activity for self care and has multiple benefits for our health. It is great for our heart and lungs, helps build bone density and safe for our joints, gets us outdoors in the fresh air, reduces time spent in front of a screen, helps us relax, clears our mind, and just plain and simply gets us moving. Researchers recommend getting 30 minutes of brisk walking in most days of the week, meaning you can still talk to a friend while you are walking, but maybe not sing and dance. If walking 30 minutes is too difficult to do at once, break it up by starting at 8-10 minutes and slowly increase your time.
How you walk can be just as important as the walking itself. Is your posture rounded through your shoulders with your head down, or are you upright, head and shoulders back, with a smile? Studies have shown your posture can effect the things you remember, and potentially your mood. Mindful walking, taking in the scenery, feeling your body move, and focusing on your breath can decrease mental stress and improve quality of life.
Having trouble finding time to incorporate walking into your daily routine? Try scheduling it at the same time each day. If this is challenging to do, here are some other useful tips to get those steps in.
You might find asking a friend or neighbor to walk with makes it more enjoyable and helps to keep you accountable. Writing a log or keeping track of your activity can also help with making self care happen and meeting your self care goals.
How you walk can be just as important as the walking itself. Is your posture rounded through your shoulders with your head down, or are you upright, head and shoulders back, with a smile? Studies have shown your posture can effect the things you remember, and potentially your mood. Mindful walking, taking in the scenery, feeling your body move, and focusing on your breath can decrease mental stress and improve quality of life.
Having trouble finding time to incorporate walking into your daily routine? Try scheduling it at the same time each day. If this is challenging to do, here are some other useful tips to get those steps in.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you have the opportunity
- Park at the back of the parking lot when you go to the store
- Walk your dog, cat or guinea pig
- Get off public transport one stop earlier
- Have your ride share driver drop you off at the end of your block.
You might find asking a friend or neighbor to walk with makes it more enjoyable and helps to keep you accountable. Writing a log or keeping track of your activity can also help with making self care happen and meeting your self care goals.
SPT Spotlight
Rupa Kern
Medical Billing and Insurance Coordinator
Medical Billing and Insurance Coordinator
Rupa was born in Dublin, Ireland & traveled all around the world for many years ultimately choosing to settle down in Austin, Texas. She is now a proud longhorn Mom, an avid animal lover and a life long vegetarian.
Rupa started her career in healthcare 15 years ago in Janesville, Wisconsin and she really enjoys helping patients understand and resolve their insurance questions.
Rupa enjoys country music, zumba, watching her daughter play varsity high school volleyball and spending time with her two children.
Rupa started her career in healthcare 15 years ago in Janesville, Wisconsin and she really enjoys helping patients understand and resolve their insurance questions.
Rupa enjoys country music, zumba, watching her daughter play varsity high school volleyball and spending time with her two children.
Research Rundown
Study finds lack of knowledge about pelvic floor
Many women are not aware they have a pelvic floor and the lack of knowledge could increase the risk for pelvic floor dysfunction, according to a study involving about 1,000 women at the University College Cork that will be presented at the International Urogynecological Association meeting in September. Women can alleviate symptoms through physiotherapy or pelvic floor exercises, researchers said.
Botox may help endometriosis suffers
Pain from muscle spasms related to endometriosis might be relieved by an injection of Botox into the pelvic floor, according to a small study published online by Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. Thirteen endometriosis patients were given Botox, and all said they felt less pain in the weeks after injections and 11 said their pain was mostly gone or gone entirely, with the relief lasting several months, researchers say.
Skinny jeans, shaving could trigger but not cause vulva pain
Research has shown that wearing skinny jeans regularly and shaving around the pubic area can contribute to vulva pain but are unlikely to be the cause, said Ob/Gyn Dr. Jessica Strasburg. Physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor can be one way to treat the pain, she said.
Many women are not aware they have a pelvic floor and the lack of knowledge could increase the risk for pelvic floor dysfunction, according to a study involving about 1,000 women at the University College Cork that will be presented at the International Urogynecological Association meeting in September. Women can alleviate symptoms through physiotherapy or pelvic floor exercises, researchers said.
Botox may help endometriosis suffers
Pain from muscle spasms related to endometriosis might be relieved by an injection of Botox into the pelvic floor, according to a small study published online by Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. Thirteen endometriosis patients were given Botox, and all said they felt less pain in the weeks after injections and 11 said their pain was mostly gone or gone entirely, with the relief lasting several months, researchers say.
Skinny jeans, shaving could trigger but not cause vulva pain
Research has shown that wearing skinny jeans regularly and shaving around the pubic area can contribute to vulva pain but are unlikely to be the cause, said Ob/Gyn Dr. Jessica Strasburg. Physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor can be one way to treat the pain, she said.
Saying Goodbye to Rachel Madera, PT
On August 20, Rachel Madera, PT will be saying good bye to Sullivan Physical Therapy. Rachel has worked for SPT since 2016 and has been an amazing physical therapist and co-worker. We are sad to see her leave, but we wish her the best of luck in her career as an inpatient physical therapist. Rachel's patients will be transferred to our new physical therapist, Krista Hartig, PT, DPT. Krista has been a physical therapist for over 10 years and has worked in Nevada, Georgia and Colorado as a physical therapist. She is moving here to Texas be closer to family. She has taken several pelvic floor physical therapy classes and just finished a 6 month mentorship program with one of the top pelvic floor physical therapists in the country. She is certified in dry needling and will be adding this to part of her practice at Sullivan Physical Therapy. Krista will be joining the physical therapy team on August 19 and will start treating patients on September 3.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our Lead Physical Therapist, Angela Dobinsky.
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
On July 9, Sullivan Physical Therapy hosted Dr. Cheng from Balcones Pain Consultants regarding pain management. We learned more about nerve blocks and dorsal root ganglion stimulation to manage chronic pain. Additionally, he provided more information on minimally invasive procedures for spinal stenosis.
Christina, Angela and Amethyst had fun attending a barre3 class on July 9 in order to fully understand the relationship of pelvic floor function and barre movement requirements.
Amethyst was invited to talk about pelvic floor physical therapy at a Girl Advocacy League (GAL) event on July 17. GAL partners with Girls Empowerment Network (GIRLS) with a mission to care for girls, women and gender justice.
On July 17, Lauren Reyes IBCLC, RLC and Janet Jones IBCLC, RLC from The Breastfeeding Success Company gave an amazing inservice for the physical therapists where they discussed plugged ducts and mastitis.
Rachel Madera presented on pelvic floor health at Giving Austin Labor Support's monthly volunteer meeting on July 18 where doulas and midwives attended.
Rachel Madera presented at Partners in Parenting infant group on July 31 on pelvic floor dysfunction to new moms and their partners.
On July 30, Jamille Niewiara presented at Partners in Parenting, a group of moms and dads that regularly meet with their babies of similar age. Jamille was a guest speaker educating the parents of the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy and was invited to speak to other PIP groups around Austin for future meetings.
Angela Dobinsky and Rachel Madera volunteered for Milk Bank on July 31 as apart of our yearly team goals to volunteer within the Austin Community.
Congratulations to past Sullivan Physical Therapy employee, Sara Reardon, PT, DPT, WCS who recently did a TedTalk on Post Partum care in the United States. Here is the link to her talk.
Christina, Angela and Amethyst had fun attending a barre3 class on July 9 in order to fully understand the relationship of pelvic floor function and barre movement requirements.
Amethyst was invited to talk about pelvic floor physical therapy at a Girl Advocacy League (GAL) event on July 17. GAL partners with Girls Empowerment Network (GIRLS) with a mission to care for girls, women and gender justice.
On July 17, Lauren Reyes IBCLC, RLC and Janet Jones IBCLC, RLC from The Breastfeeding Success Company gave an amazing inservice for the physical therapists where they discussed plugged ducts and mastitis.
Rachel Madera presented on pelvic floor health at Giving Austin Labor Support's monthly volunteer meeting on July 18 where doulas and midwives attended.
Rachel Madera presented at Partners in Parenting infant group on July 31 on pelvic floor dysfunction to new moms and their partners.
On July 30, Jamille Niewiara presented at Partners in Parenting, a group of moms and dads that regularly meet with their babies of similar age. Jamille was a guest speaker educating the parents of the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy and was invited to speak to other PIP groups around Austin for future meetings.
Angela Dobinsky and Rachel Madera volunteered for Milk Bank on July 31 as apart of our yearly team goals to volunteer within the Austin Community.
Congratulations to past Sullivan Physical Therapy employee, Sara Reardon, PT, DPT, WCS who recently did a TedTalk on Post Partum care in the United States. Here is the link to her talk.
Upcoming Dates
August 6
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center.
August 10
Employees of Sullivan Physical Therapy will be volunteering at the Austin Pride Parade.
August 10
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
September 2
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for Labor Day.
September 3
On September 3, our schedules will be open for appointments in October, November, December and January.
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center.
August 10
Employees of Sullivan Physical Therapy will be volunteering at the Austin Pride Parade.
August 10
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
September 2
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for Labor Day.
September 3
On September 3, our schedules will be open for appointments in October, November, December and January.
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 Thursdays 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, the only insurance accepted at AABC is Blue Cross Blue Shield, however we will give you a receipt for you to submit to your insurance companies.
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 Thursdays 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, the only insurance accepted at AABC is Blue Cross Blue Shield, however we will give you a receipt for you to submit to your insurance companies.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service and schedule an appointment or email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
