June 2020 Newsletter
Urinary Incontinence
Did you know that urinary incontinence is associated with increased falls risks, increased rates of hospitalization, and increased rates of institutionalization later in life? Urinary incontinence is preventable and treatable, but if we don’t know how or when to seek care, the effects of quality of life for older adults are massive.
45% of adults experiencing difficulty with bladder control do not seek care for their symptoms because they assume the symptoms are a normal part of aging. Incontinence is common, but it is not normal. Estimates show that 50% of people over 60 years old experience urinary incontinence, that number increasing with age. Furthermore, those estimates rise to 77% of those in nursing facilities. Urinary incontinence is associated with increased anxiety and social isolation, as well as decreased self confidence. In older adults, specifically, it is also associated with a faster rate of functional decline, increased rate of falls, frailty and depression.
These symptoms negatively impact their ability to stay active and live independently, and it’s a dangerous combination. Hip fractures are a serious outcome of falls for older adults. In those 60 years and older, hip fractures double mortality rates in 12 months, however much like incontinence, falls are preventable.
Discuss your bladder health with your medical doctors. Seek help if you have difficulty controlling your bladder when you cough or sneeze, when you exercise, or if you have a strong, inexplicable urge that makes it difficult to stop the flow of urine. Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging, and preventing or treating these symptoms will help you lead a longer, healthier and happier life.
45% of adults experiencing difficulty with bladder control do not seek care for their symptoms because they assume the symptoms are a normal part of aging. Incontinence is common, but it is not normal. Estimates show that 50% of people over 60 years old experience urinary incontinence, that number increasing with age. Furthermore, those estimates rise to 77% of those in nursing facilities. Urinary incontinence is associated with increased anxiety and social isolation, as well as decreased self confidence. In older adults, specifically, it is also associated with a faster rate of functional decline, increased rate of falls, frailty and depression.
These symptoms negatively impact their ability to stay active and live independently, and it’s a dangerous combination. Hip fractures are a serious outcome of falls for older adults. In those 60 years and older, hip fractures double mortality rates in 12 months, however much like incontinence, falls are preventable.
Discuss your bladder health with your medical doctors. Seek help if you have difficulty controlling your bladder when you cough or sneeze, when you exercise, or if you have a strong, inexplicable urge that makes it difficult to stop the flow of urine. Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging, and preventing or treating these symptoms will help you lead a longer, healthier and happier life.
Weekly Webinars
While we recognize this is an uncertain and challenging time, it is important you continue to care for your body in order to maintain good health. The good news is there are many ways you can can take care of your body while staying at home.
Each week we will be offering a weekly webinar on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm CT.
Here is the schedule for June:
June 3
The Benefits of Psychotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain
with Brittany Neece
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nfS2TKH0ToO-dUd6YQMcbg
June 10
Bladder Control Post-op Prostatectomy
with Amethyst Guerrero
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0vI5cSxqRmyFXbIIVrKjpQ
June 17
Hip Mobility Yoga
with Sima Shalchi
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hm4sGZfnQ2iF1w09E8Zfmw
June 24
Physical Therapy for Endometriosis
with Angela Dobinsky
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G71YvgzjRwySHkVUCa_tqA
Each week we will be offering a weekly webinar on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm CT.
Here is the schedule for June:
June 3
The Benefits of Psychotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain
with Brittany Neece
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nfS2TKH0ToO-dUd6YQMcbg
June 10
Bladder Control Post-op Prostatectomy
with Amethyst Guerrero
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0vI5cSxqRmyFXbIIVrKjpQ
June 17
Hip Mobility Yoga
with Sima Shalchi
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hm4sGZfnQ2iF1w09E8Zfmw
June 24
Physical Therapy for Endometriosis
with Angela Dobinsky
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G71YvgzjRwySHkVUCa_tqA
If you have any specific requests for future topics or have questions to be answered on a webinar,
please contact Angela Dobinsky:
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
please contact Angela Dobinsky:
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
SPT Spotlight
Angela Dobinsky, PT, DPT
Lead Physical Therapist
Lead Physical Therapist
Angela Dobinsky received a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas State University in San Marcos. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. After graduating, she practiced as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist in California and Texas. During this time, Angela developed an interest in women's and men's health conditions and has exclusively treated pelvic floor conditions since 2010.
Angela is the Lead Physical Therapist at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She is a recipient of the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association and is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching. Furthermore, she has a special interest in pelvic pain conditions and enjoys raising awareness through teaching and mentoring students and other healthcare professionals.
Angela strives to create an environment in which her patients feel comfortable discussing diagnoses that are often sensitive in nature. She is passionate about working with patients to create realistic and sustainable health changes. Angela is committed to providing her patients with the best care possible through taking a whole-body approach in order to achieve their goals.
Angela lives in Austin with her husband and sons and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and being outdoors.
Angela is the Lead Physical Therapist at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She is a recipient of the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association and is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching. Furthermore, she has a special interest in pelvic pain conditions and enjoys raising awareness through teaching and mentoring students and other healthcare professionals.
Angela strives to create an environment in which her patients feel comfortable discussing diagnoses that are often sensitive in nature. She is passionate about working with patients to create realistic and sustainable health changes. Angela is committed to providing her patients with the best care possible through taking a whole-body approach in order to achieve their goals.
Angela lives in Austin with her husband and sons and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and being outdoors.
Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sullivan Physical Therapy would like to assure our patients we are being proactive regarding the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus). As part of the Austin Health Community, we want you to know what we are doing to make Sullivan Physical Therapy a safe place for patients to be seen.
What is Sullivan Physical Therapy doing to prevent spreading COVID-19:
We will continue to assess and monitor as this progresses and will respond accordingly.
We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the Austin Community during this time. Please feel free to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or concerns.
What is Sullivan Physical Therapy doing to prevent spreading COVID-19:
- Putting CDC recommended protocols in place to ensure the highest level of prepared COVID-19 prevention.
- Ensuring we have necessary supplies and equipment, and appropriate staffing.
- Provide all employees with N95 masks to use while inside the clinic.
- Placed UV air purifiers in the waiting room, hallways and each treatment room to address microorganisms such as viruses in the air.
- Rearranged our waiting room to allow for social distancing.
- Removed all magazines and chocolate from the waiting room.
- Increased our cleaning protocols in between patients both in the treatment rooms and common areas.
- Increased our daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols with additional frequent deep cleans.
- Ask all employees and patients who have symptoms of the COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, fever) to contact their healthcare provider before coming to the clinic.
We will continue to assess and monitor as this progresses and will respond accordingly.
We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the Austin Community during this time. Please feel free to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or concerns.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
In May...
In June...
In July...
- On May 15, Christina McGee presented via Zoom to staff and participants of Fit4Mom Austin on exercise modifications for common complaints in pregnancy and postpartum
- On May 20, Christina McGee presented via Zoom to staff and participants of Barre3 Circle C on exercise modifications for common complaints in pregnancy and postpartum
In June...
- We will continue to provide Telehealth visits to patients. If you are interested in setting up a telehealth appointment please complete and send this form to telehealth@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com Please note: Insurance coverage for telehealth is impacted by federal and state laws as well as insurance plan policies. You should check with your insurance regarding how telehealth is covered under your particular policy. As things change, we encourage you to remain informed about your coverage and plan guidelines. Receipt of services outside of your coverage can result in higher out of pocket costs.
In July...
- Sullivan Physical Therapy will return to Austin Area Birthing Center. Christina McGee PT, DPT evaluates and treats patients at AABC South on Wednesdays, providing postpartum checkups and assessments regarding pelvic floor issues. AABC patients can contact Sullivan Physical Therapy directly or talk to their midwife about seeking care. At this time all evaluation and treatments at AABC are self pay, except patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Tricare and United Healthcare. If an individual has another health insurance, they can submit their receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.
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.
