December 2019 Newsletter
Cancer and Physical Therapy
There are many different types of cancer whose treatments may impact the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to function properly. These types of cancer include, but are not limited to, uterine, cervical, vulvar, ovarian, prostate, colon, rectal, and anal cancers. Most often, patients will undergo surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. The impacts from each of these treatments may impact the pelvic floor in different ways.
Surgery can disrupt muscle fibers or the nerves that supply sensation. This may impact a person’s ability to effectively contract the pelvic floor muscles which may contribute to incontinence. Surgery can result in scar tissue formation which may lead to muscle tension, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, as well as muscle weakness. Alterations in hormones may also take place with removal of reproductive organs which can impact libido and a variety of other processes.
Chemotherapy has a high impact on mucosal membranes which may contribute to sores, decreased lubrication, and overall irritation of the tissues. This process may contribute to pain during intercourse and can potentially increase pelvic floor muscle tension.
If radiation is required, fibrosis of the tissues may occur. Tissue fibrosis is a hardening of the tissues which can impact the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to contract and prevent bowel/bladder leakage and can cause the muscles/tissues to have difficulty stretching which can contribute to pelvic pain, bowel/bladder urgency, and sexual dysfunction.
Although these treatments may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, there is good news! Research has shown that pelvic floor physical therapy can decrease the occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunction and improve quality of life in cancer survivors. A pelvic floor physical therapist may work on pelvic floor muscle strengthening to help with incontinence. Alternatively, they may begin working on scar tissue mobilty and techniques to decrease pelvic floor muscle tension which can help reduce pain and bowel/bladder urgency.
Surgery can disrupt muscle fibers or the nerves that supply sensation. This may impact a person’s ability to effectively contract the pelvic floor muscles which may contribute to incontinence. Surgery can result in scar tissue formation which may lead to muscle tension, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, as well as muscle weakness. Alterations in hormones may also take place with removal of reproductive organs which can impact libido and a variety of other processes.
Chemotherapy has a high impact on mucosal membranes which may contribute to sores, decreased lubrication, and overall irritation of the tissues. This process may contribute to pain during intercourse and can potentially increase pelvic floor muscle tension.
If radiation is required, fibrosis of the tissues may occur. Tissue fibrosis is a hardening of the tissues which can impact the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to contract and prevent bowel/bladder leakage and can cause the muscles/tissues to have difficulty stretching which can contribute to pelvic pain, bowel/bladder urgency, and sexual dysfunction.
Although these treatments may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, there is good news! Research has shown that pelvic floor physical therapy can decrease the occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunction and improve quality of life in cancer survivors. A pelvic floor physical therapist may work on pelvic floor muscle strengthening to help with incontinence. Alternatively, they may begin working on scar tissue mobilty and techniques to decrease pelvic floor muscle tension which can help reduce pain and bowel/bladder urgency.
SPT Spotlight
Sheka Mitchell
Patient Care Coordinator
Patient Care Coordinator
Sheka is our newest member of the Sullivan Physical Therapy family. She comes to us from the non-profit sector bringing 14-years of customer service/admin and HR experience.
Sheka is a single mother of one son, Dominic, who plays football and guitar and of course loves his video games. Sheka also teaches at Fitness Connection- Tech Ridge twice a week: MixxedFit (dance fitness) and a spin (cycle) class. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son and family, crocheting, reading, eating good food and cooking.
She is elated about starting her new journey with Sullivan Physical Therapy.
Sheka is a single mother of one son, Dominic, who plays football and guitar and of course loves his video games. Sheka also teaches at Fitness Connection- Tech Ridge twice a week: MixxedFit (dance fitness) and a spin (cycle) class. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son and family, crocheting, reading, eating good food and cooking.
She is elated about starting her new journey with Sullivan Physical Therapy.
Research Roundup
Glycemic control linked to bone quality in women with type 2 diabetes
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that poor glycemic control may lead to lower bone quality in premenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. The researchers compared bone volume, osteoide thickness and osteoide surface of 10 women with A1C below 7%, 16 women with higher A1C and 15 postmortem women without diabetes, and found that those with higher A1C levels had reduced osteoide thickness but higher bone volume.
Exercise may reduce hip fracture risk in older women
A study that included more than 77,000 older women found those who exercised regularly at any intensity had a reduced risk of hip fracture over 14 years, compared with sedentary women, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. Moderate to vigorous exercise was associated with a higher risk of a wrist or forearm fracture, compared with lower levels of activity.
Severe energy restriction tied to weight loss, lower hip BMD in women
A total meal-replacement diet with severe energy restriction produced greater decreases in weight, hip bone mineral density, whole-body lean mass and thigh muscle area over 12 months among postmenopausal women with obesity, compared with women who had moderate energy restriction, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. In light of the findings, the researchers noted that "caution is necessary when implementing severe energy restriction in postmenopausal women with obesity, especially in those with osteopenia or osteoporosis" who may need bone-strengthening treatments.
Nighttime eating may damage heart health in women, study says
A study by Columbia University researchers, to be presented at the American Heart Association's annual meeting, found that women who ate more of their daily calories in the evenings were more prone to having higher body mass index, higher blood pressure and poorer long-term blood glucose control. Researchers analyzed 112 women with an average age of 33 and found that heart health declines for each 1% increase in calories consumed after 6 p.m.
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that poor glycemic control may lead to lower bone quality in premenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. The researchers compared bone volume, osteoide thickness and osteoide surface of 10 women with A1C below 7%, 16 women with higher A1C and 15 postmortem women without diabetes, and found that those with higher A1C levels had reduced osteoide thickness but higher bone volume.
Exercise may reduce hip fracture risk in older women
A study that included more than 77,000 older women found those who exercised regularly at any intensity had a reduced risk of hip fracture over 14 years, compared with sedentary women, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. Moderate to vigorous exercise was associated with a higher risk of a wrist or forearm fracture, compared with lower levels of activity.
Severe energy restriction tied to weight loss, lower hip BMD in women
A total meal-replacement diet with severe energy restriction produced greater decreases in weight, hip bone mineral density, whole-body lean mass and thigh muscle area over 12 months among postmenopausal women with obesity, compared with women who had moderate energy restriction, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. In light of the findings, the researchers noted that "caution is necessary when implementing severe energy restriction in postmenopausal women with obesity, especially in those with osteopenia or osteoporosis" who may need bone-strengthening treatments.
Nighttime eating may damage heart health in women, study says
A study by Columbia University researchers, to be presented at the American Heart Association's annual meeting, found that women who ate more of their daily calories in the evenings were more prone to having higher body mass index, higher blood pressure and poorer long-term blood glucose control. Researchers analyzed 112 women with an average age of 33 and found that heart health declines for each 1% increase in calories consumed after 6 p.m.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
Christina McGee, Jessica Chastka, and physical therapy doctoral student Beverly presented on November 19 on topics of physical therapy's role in healing for the Prostate Cancer Support Group for Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender individuals
Christina McGee attended a meet up for sex-positive professionals on November 20, where desire discrepancy within couples was discussed.
Christina McGee attended a meet up for sex-positive professionals on November 20, where desire discrepancy within couples was discussed.
Upcoming Dates
December 2
Our schedules will be open for appointments in February, March, April and May.
Currently your physical therapist's schedule is now open through the end of January. Please connect with one of our Patient Care Coordinators if you need to schedule more appointments.
If you are unsure what frequency you should schedule, just ask your physical therapist.
December 3
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center.
December 5
Kimberlee Sullivan will be presenting at South University to the physical therapist assistant students about
pelvic floor physical therapy.
December 5
Christina McGee will be presenting at Austin OBGYN associates with focus on performing pelvic exams on patients with pain or trauma history
December 10
Kimberlee Sullivan will be presenting at South University to the physical therapist assistant students about business ownership, management and leadership.
December 14
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
December 23 - 27
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for the holidays. If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please email sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
January 1
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for the holidays. If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please email sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
January 24
Lauren Gaspar, MSW, LCSW-S, RPT-S, EMDR Certified, of Good Mourning Counseling Center will be presenting to the Physical Therapy Team on EMDR as a treatment option for patients that have suffered from trauma.
Our schedules will be open for appointments in February, March, April and May.
Currently your physical therapist's schedule is now open through the end of January. Please connect with one of our Patient Care Coordinators if you need to schedule more appointments.
If you are unsure what frequency you should schedule, just ask your physical therapist.
December 3
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center.
December 5
Kimberlee Sullivan will be presenting at South University to the physical therapist assistant students about
pelvic floor physical therapy.
December 5
Christina McGee will be presenting at Austin OBGYN associates with focus on performing pelvic exams on patients with pain or trauma history
December 10
Kimberlee Sullivan will be presenting at South University to the physical therapist assistant students about business ownership, management and leadership.
December 14
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
December 23 - 27
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for the holidays. If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please email sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
January 1
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for the holidays. If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please email sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
January 24
Lauren Gaspar, MSW, LCSW-S, RPT-S, EMDR Certified, of Good Mourning Counseling Center will be presenting to the Physical Therapy Team on EMDR as a treatment option for patients that have suffered from trauma.
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.
