December 2020 Newsletter
2020 has been a lot of things, especially stressful
It is safe to say that 2020 has been a year filled with unknowns that can create emotional stress. For many people they hold emotional stress in their muscles. Stress does not discriminate on who it takes captive, this is common for all ages, races and genders. It is easy to identify the tension that is held within our neck muscles or our jaw, however it is not well known that our pelvic floor muscles are common offenders for holding emotional stress and tension. Muscle guarding is a very common protection mechanism to physical, mental and emotional stressors in life.
There are a variety of physical causes including; post-surgical adhesions, history of endometriosis, pain related menstrual cycle, pelvic prolapse, prostatitis, testicular pain, infections including bladder or urinary tracts, bowel dysfunction or bowel disease, trigger points in the muscles, postural dysfunction, having the condition of fibromyalgia, depression, back pain, or history of sexual trauma. The pain can be muscle based, organ based or related to connective tissues. Adhesions and scar tissue following surgeries can create dysfunction that increases signals to pain pathways.
Many patients find relief with pelvic floor physical therapy that are related to releasing the tension that is held throughout the pelvic floor muscles. Relaxation techniques are encouraged to decrease stress. Relaxing can look different for everyone and is important to create time in the week for it. Examples of relaxation can be deep breathing, yoga, meditation, listening to music, guided imagery, walking, talking to loved ones and reading. Taking breaks from work and unplugging from technology can allow our high stress system to rest.
There are a variety of physical causes including; post-surgical adhesions, history of endometriosis, pain related menstrual cycle, pelvic prolapse, prostatitis, testicular pain, infections including bladder or urinary tracts, bowel dysfunction or bowel disease, trigger points in the muscles, postural dysfunction, having the condition of fibromyalgia, depression, back pain, or history of sexual trauma. The pain can be muscle based, organ based or related to connective tissues. Adhesions and scar tissue following surgeries can create dysfunction that increases signals to pain pathways.
Many patients find relief with pelvic floor physical therapy that are related to releasing the tension that is held throughout the pelvic floor muscles. Relaxation techniques are encouraged to decrease stress. Relaxing can look different for everyone and is important to create time in the week for it. Examples of relaxation can be deep breathing, yoga, meditation, listening to music, guided imagery, walking, talking to loved ones and reading. Taking breaks from work and unplugging from technology can allow our high stress system to rest.
For more information please email:
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
SPT Spotlight
Beverly Lopez, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Sullivan Physical Therapy is excited to welcome a new physical therapist to our team. Beverly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine.
Beverly gained interest in pelvic health while in graduate school after observing at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She continued her passion with a clinical rotation at Sullivan and has been aspiring to gain more knowledge in the field. Beverly strives to empower her patients with the knowledge to understand their diagnosis and symptoms to reach their goals.
Beverly is originally from Northern California and has lived in Austin for 7.5 years. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, hiking and playing with her Great Dane puppy.
Beverly gained interest in pelvic health while in graduate school after observing at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She continued her passion with a clinical rotation at Sullivan and has been aspiring to gain more knowledge in the field. Beverly strives to empower her patients with the knowledge to understand their diagnosis and symptoms to reach their goals.
Beverly is originally from Northern California and has lived in Austin for 7.5 years. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, hiking and playing with her Great Dane puppy.
Research Roundup
Physical Therapy in Addition to Standard of Care Improves Patient Satisfaction and Recovery Post-cesarean Section - Participants who received physical therapy had significantly improved outcomes compared with the standard of care group. This suggests that physical therapy may be a helpful adjunct to cesarean delivery recovery, although larger studies should be done for definitive conclusions.
Physical Therapy Management in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections - A PT program designed to improve pelvic floor strength and coordination may have contributed to a decrease in UTI frequency and elimination of UI within a 3-month time frame. PT could provide a conservative treatment option for uncomplicated recurrent UTI and UI to improve the social/emotional impacts of symptoms and reduce antibiotic use. Future studies are needed to see the long-term effects of PT on UTI frequency.
Physical Therapy Management in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections - A PT program designed to improve pelvic floor strength and coordination may have contributed to a decrease in UTI frequency and elimination of UI within a 3-month time frame. PT could provide a conservative treatment option for uncomplicated recurrent UTI and UI to improve the social/emotional impacts of symptoms and reduce antibiotic use. Future studies are needed to see the long-term effects of PT on UTI frequency.
Best of the Best
Congratulations to Amethyst Guerrero, PT, DPT for being named the Austin American Statesman's Best of the Best, Best Physical Therapist. Amethyst was nominated by her patients and received the most votes out of any physical therapist in the Austin Area. We are so proud of Amethyst and feel lucky that she is a part of our team at Sullivan Physical Therapy.
If you would like to send a congratulatory note to Amethyst, her email is amethyst@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
If you would like to send a congratulatory note to Amethyst, her email is amethyst@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
We are expanding...
Sullivan Physical Therapy will be expanding to serve the Marble Falls Area in February. Krista Hartig, PT, DPT will be seeing patients on Tuesdays from 8 to 3:15 pm. We are renting a room in the physical therapy clinic at Hill Country Memorial, 511 N U.S. Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654.
This will be our third location serving the Austin Area. We have our main location in Northwest Austin, a south location at Austin Area Birthing Center and now Marble Falls. Thank you for the support as we grow.
This will be our third location serving the Austin Area. We have our main location in Northwest Austin, a south location at Austin Area Birthing Center and now Marble Falls. Thank you for the support as we grow.
For more information please contact, Krista Hartig at
Krista@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Krista@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Giving Austin Labor Support
Sullivan Physical Therapy is a proud Sponsor of the 2020 PUSH IT! GALS Virtual 5k!We are happy to be a part of this community and continue to support GALS as they support families giving birth in Central Texas.
ABOUT PUSH IT: GALS Virtual 5k
Founded in 2008, Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS) is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and empowering under-supported families. We provide education and support to birthing people and health care workers from pregnancy through postpartum. We've supported over 500 families through the On Call Birth Support Program, Prenatal Doula Program, and Jail Support Program.
Be a part of something bigger, donate or register to walk/run today!
ABOUT PUSH IT: GALS Virtual 5k
Founded in 2008, Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS) is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and empowering under-supported families. We provide education and support to birthing people and health care workers from pregnancy through postpartum. We've supported over 500 families through the On Call Birth Support Program, Prenatal Doula Program, and Jail Support Program.
- GALS works to improve outcomes by reducing unnecessary interventions. The cesarean rate with a GALS present: 15.3 % of births since 2012. Nationally this number hovers much higher than health organizations advise with cesareans occurring in around 33% of births.
- Satisfaction is important because a less traumatic birth means a lower likelihood of postpartum mental health disorders. 100 percent of GALS birthing families say the birth was better because of the GALS volunteer.
- Building community means supporting health care workers so they can focus on the health and well being of the patient. 100 percent of medical staff say they would recommend GALS to another patient.
Be a part of something bigger, donate or register to walk/run today!
Dry Needling Course
On November 13 through 15, the Physical Therapists at Sullivan Physical Therapy, took a class from IDN called Neurologic Dry Needling for Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction. This specialty course developed knowledge and clinical skills to effectively diagnose and treat painful neuromuscular conditions in the pelvic floor, lower abdomen, anterior hip and low back. The physical therapists also learned cupping and taping techniques. If you are interested in learning more about these treatments, please speak to your physical therapist.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
- December 1 - The physical therapists' schedules open for appointments in February, March, April, and May.
- December 14 - Our newest physical therapist, Beverly Lopez, will be joining our PT Team.
- December 23 - Jessica Chastka will have her last day at Sullivan Physical Therapy. We want to thank her for the past 5 years and wish her the best of luck in the future. If you are a patient of Jessica's, your appointments after December 23 they will need to be rescheduled with another physical therapist. Please call our office to reschedule.
- December 24 and 26 - Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for the Christmas Holiday
- December 31 and January 1 - Sullivan Physical Therapy will be closed for the New Year Holiday.
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