August 2022 Newsletter
Postpartum Warning Signs
The days after giving birth are overwhelming, joyous, and confusing. While parents are focusing on taking care of a new baby, the birthing individual’s health is often a secondary thought. While there are many normal signs and symptoms in the early days postpartum, there are a number of warning signs to be aware of that warrant medical attention.
Let’s start by discussing some of the normal feelings, whether you’ve had a vaginal or cesarean birth. Vaginal or perineal soreness and/or minor swelling can be relieved with sitz bath, padsicles, and peri bottle. Discomfort at the incision is normal, especially with movement. Hemorrhoids are common and should resolve in a few days, with early management with witch hazel, warm sitz baths, use of a donut pillow, and constipation management (like taking magnesium or stool softeners, drinking adequate water, and using a squatty potty). Lochia, normal postpartum bleeding, generally lasts for 4-6 weeks, with a total volume of 200-500mL. From birth to 4 days postpartum, the blood will be darker and starts with a heavier flow (similar to menstrual flow in thickness and smell), and may include small clots. From 4 days to 2 weeks postpartum, lochia is pink to brown, with a small moderate flow. This flow may increase with more movement, which is a sign to slow down and rest. Up to 4-6 weeks postpartum, lochia will be lighter, more yellow to white, and more like discharge. After pains in the uterus are normal 5-7 days postpartum as the uterus is shrinking. Hot packs, warm baths, uterine massage, ibuprofen, and pressure to the lower abdomen help relieve the pain. Abdominal discomfort is also associated with breastfeeding, as oxytocin is simulated to help shrink the uterus.
Postpartum warning signs include excess bleeding, which is defined as more than 1 pad per hour, and blood clots followed by heavier bleeding. Experiencing blurred vision, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or change in heart rate warrants calling an ambulance. Chest pain or trouble breathing is also cause for concerns, especially after cesarean births. Coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and upper back pain are signs to go to the ER. Other warnings that are sign for immediate medical attention include fever above 100.4 degrees Farenheit, chills, foul smelling discharge, pain or swelling in the legs, and pain or burning with urination. Lastly, breast pain, red streaking, lumps, tenderness, and warmth to the touch are signs of mastitis, which usually requires antibiotics.
While a birth individual’s body undergoes many changes throughout pregnancy, during birth, and postpartum, it is important to know what is normal and what is cause for further medical intervention.
Let’s start by discussing some of the normal feelings, whether you’ve had a vaginal or cesarean birth. Vaginal or perineal soreness and/or minor swelling can be relieved with sitz bath, padsicles, and peri bottle. Discomfort at the incision is normal, especially with movement. Hemorrhoids are common and should resolve in a few days, with early management with witch hazel, warm sitz baths, use of a donut pillow, and constipation management (like taking magnesium or stool softeners, drinking adequate water, and using a squatty potty). Lochia, normal postpartum bleeding, generally lasts for 4-6 weeks, with a total volume of 200-500mL. From birth to 4 days postpartum, the blood will be darker and starts with a heavier flow (similar to menstrual flow in thickness and smell), and may include small clots. From 4 days to 2 weeks postpartum, lochia is pink to brown, with a small moderate flow. This flow may increase with more movement, which is a sign to slow down and rest. Up to 4-6 weeks postpartum, lochia will be lighter, more yellow to white, and more like discharge. After pains in the uterus are normal 5-7 days postpartum as the uterus is shrinking. Hot packs, warm baths, uterine massage, ibuprofen, and pressure to the lower abdomen help relieve the pain. Abdominal discomfort is also associated with breastfeeding, as oxytocin is simulated to help shrink the uterus.
Postpartum warning signs include excess bleeding, which is defined as more than 1 pad per hour, and blood clots followed by heavier bleeding. Experiencing blurred vision, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or change in heart rate warrants calling an ambulance. Chest pain or trouble breathing is also cause for concerns, especially after cesarean births. Coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and upper back pain are signs to go to the ER. Other warnings that are sign for immediate medical attention include fever above 100.4 degrees Farenheit, chills, foul smelling discharge, pain or swelling in the legs, and pain or burning with urination. Lastly, breast pain, red streaking, lumps, tenderness, and warmth to the touch are signs of mastitis, which usually requires antibiotics.
While a birth individual’s body undergoes many changes throughout pregnancy, during birth, and postpartum, it is important to know what is normal and what is cause for further medical intervention.
SPT Spotlight
Georgia Kramer
Patient Care Coordinator
Patient Care Coordinator
Georgia graduated from California State University, Chico in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health. Her focus was on education and international health. She grew up in Northern California and moved to Texas after college graduation.
Georgia enjoys helping people. She worked with children for several years and has experience working in direct patient care as well as the administrative side of healthcare. She is excited to grow with Sullivan Physical Therapy and bring her knowledge and understanding to the team.
Georgia enjoys cooking, exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Georgia enjoys helping people. She worked with children for several years and has experience working in direct patient care as well as the administrative side of healthcare. She is excited to grow with Sullivan Physical Therapy and bring her knowledge and understanding to the team.
Georgia enjoys cooking, exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
New Name. Same expert care.
New name.
Same expert care.
Have you heard? Sullivan Physical Therapy has joined Origin, a company that shares our values and our mission to bring pelvic health care to more people in Austin.
Expect new locations (starting with our Rollingwood clinic!), easier scheduling, and amazing tools, including a digital dashboard with all of your exercises.
Our wonderful Physical Therapists and staff are here to stay and look forward to seeing you soon!
Stay tuned for more updates - you may start receiving emails from Origin as we integrate our teams.
If you have any questions, please contact Kimberlee Sullivan at kimberlee@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Same expert care.
Have you heard? Sullivan Physical Therapy has joined Origin, a company that shares our values and our mission to bring pelvic health care to more people in Austin.
Expect new locations (starting with our Rollingwood clinic!), easier scheduling, and amazing tools, including a digital dashboard with all of your exercises.
Our wonderful Physical Therapists and staff are here to stay and look forward to seeing you soon!
Stay tuned for more updates - you may start receiving emails from Origin as we integrate our teams.
If you have any questions, please contact Kimberlee Sullivan at kimberlee@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Credit Card on File
Do you have a credit card on file with Sullivan Physical Therapy or are you seen at one of our satellite locations? On 8/1/22 Sullivan Physical Therapy will be updating our credit card processor from Stripe to Square for all credit card transactions.
This update will not impact how you pay for visits in the long term, but it does mean we have to re-collect your credit card information at your next visit.
Patients who visit our Hymeadow location can bring a credit card to their first visit after the transition. If you’re scheduled after 8/1/22 at any of our other locations (South, Round Rock and Marble Falls), our team will be reaching out to re-collect your payment information. We will charge $1 to hold your card on file, which you can expect to see refunded to your account after 3-7 business days. If you have appointments scheduled in the meantime we’ll use the information you currently have on file.
We appreciate your help through this transition! Please feel encouraged to reach out if you have any questions.
This update will not impact how you pay for visits in the long term, but it does mean we have to re-collect your credit card information at your next visit.
Patients who visit our Hymeadow location can bring a credit card to their first visit after the transition. If you’re scheduled after 8/1/22 at any of our other locations (South, Round Rock and Marble Falls), our team will be reaching out to re-collect your payment information. We will charge $1 to hold your card on file, which you can expect to see refunded to your account after 3-7 business days. If you have appointments scheduled in the meantime we’ll use the information you currently have on file.
We appreciate your help through this transition! Please feel encouraged to reach out if you have any questions.
Appointment Reminders
We are changing our electronic medical records (EMR) from WebPT to Dr. Chrono effective August 1st. During our conversion there will be changes as well as a temporary interruption to courtesy appointment reminders. We are excited to announce that we will soon be providing appointment reminders via text and email!
Please ensure that you have your appointment times captured on your calendar. If you are unsure of your upcoming appointments, please reach out to one of our patient care coordinators to confirm. And remember, should you need to cancel an appointment, to please notify us with at least 24 hours notice to avoid a missed visit charge.
Please ensure that you have your appointment times captured on your calendar. If you are unsure of your upcoming appointments, please reach out to one of our patient care coordinators to confirm. And remember, should you need to cancel an appointment, to please notify us with at least 24 hours notice to avoid a missed visit charge.
Summer Health Series
This summer, Sullivan Physical Therapy is teaming up with Varian Hans to offer a series of nutritional topics for our patients and the community. We would love for you to join us.
How To Reduce The Likelihood of Sunburns and How To Recover From One With Food - August 22
Did you know that your diet may reduce the chances of becoming a tomato in the summer sun? That's not to say you'll be able to completely abandon sunscreen or hats, but your skin and its health are greatly influenced by your diet. Attendees will learn the nutrients required for healthy summer skin and how to recover in case the sun gets the better of them.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84415452365?pwd=S1RmekFBVDNaUlpQNkJJS1gvb1d2dz09
Passcode: 208851
If you missed our webinar on Surviving The Texas Heat With Herbs and Food. Here is the link to the video.
If you missed How To Navigate Your Summer Sweet Tooth. Here is a the link to the video.
If you missed How To Pack A Nourishing Summer Ice Chest. Here is a the link to the video.
If you are interested in attending one or all of these virtual sessions or receive the recording,
please email us at sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
How To Reduce The Likelihood of Sunburns and How To Recover From One With Food - August 22
Did you know that your diet may reduce the chances of becoming a tomato in the summer sun? That's not to say you'll be able to completely abandon sunscreen or hats, but your skin and its health are greatly influenced by your diet. Attendees will learn the nutrients required for healthy summer skin and how to recover in case the sun gets the better of them.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84415452365?pwd=S1RmekFBVDNaUlpQNkJJS1gvb1d2dz09
Passcode: 208851
If you missed our webinar on Surviving The Texas Heat With Herbs and Food. Here is the link to the video.
If you missed How To Navigate Your Summer Sweet Tooth. Here is a the link to the video.
If you missed How To Pack A Nourishing Summer Ice Chest. Here is a the link to the video.
If you are interested in attending one or all of these virtual sessions or receive the recording,
please email us at sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
Research Roundup
Running During Pregnancy and Postpartum, Part A: Why Do Women Stop Running During Pregnancy and Not Return to Running in the Postpartum Period?
Megan L. James, Isabel S. Moore, Gráinne M. Donnelly, Emma Brockwell, Joanna Perkins, Celeste E. Coltman
Running During Pregnancy and Postpartum, Part B: How Does Running-Related Advice and Guidance Received During Pregnancy and Postpartum Affect Women's Running Habits?
Gráinne M. Donnelly, Megan L. James, Celeste E. Coltman, Emma Brockwell, Joanna Perkins, Isabel S. Moore
Multifaceted Physical Therapy Approach in Male Adolescent With Coccydynia: A Case Report
Lauren Knepper
Certain Voicing Tasks Improve Balance in Postpartum Women Compared With Nulliparous Women
Aliza Rudavsky, Lauren Hickox, Megan Frame, Daisy Philtron, Mary Massery
Physical Therapy Management of Functional Constipation in Adults Executive Summary: A 2021 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association's Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Jennifer A. LaCross, Diane Borello-France, Gregory F. Marchetti, Rose Turner, Susan George
Simulation of Pregnancy-Related Abdominal Mass Results in Nonimmediate Changes in Postural Control: An Exploratory Study
Danna-dos-Santos, Alessander; Cardoso, Vinicius Saura; Magalhaes, Alessandra Tanuri; Driusso, Patricia; Degani, Adriana Menezes
Megan L. James, Isabel S. Moore, Gráinne M. Donnelly, Emma Brockwell, Joanna Perkins, Celeste E. Coltman
Running During Pregnancy and Postpartum, Part B: How Does Running-Related Advice and Guidance Received During Pregnancy and Postpartum Affect Women's Running Habits?
Gráinne M. Donnelly, Megan L. James, Celeste E. Coltman, Emma Brockwell, Joanna Perkins, Isabel S. Moore
Multifaceted Physical Therapy Approach in Male Adolescent With Coccydynia: A Case Report
Lauren Knepper
Certain Voicing Tasks Improve Balance in Postpartum Women Compared With Nulliparous Women
Aliza Rudavsky, Lauren Hickox, Megan Frame, Daisy Philtron, Mary Massery
Physical Therapy Management of Functional Constipation in Adults Executive Summary: A 2021 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association's Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Jennifer A. LaCross, Diane Borello-France, Gregory F. Marchetti, Rose Turner, Susan George
Simulation of Pregnancy-Related Abdominal Mass Results in Nonimmediate Changes in Postural Control: An Exploratory Study
Danna-dos-Santos, Alessander; Cardoso, Vinicius Saura; Magalhaes, Alessandra Tanuri; Driusso, Patricia; Degani, Adriana Menezes
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
On July 12, Dr. Matthew Crozier from Austin Sports Medicine and Orthopedics provided the Physical Therapy Team with an in-service on sports hernias.
Congratulations to Sima Shalchi, PT, DPT, RYT for being named the top 3 physical therapists by the Austin American Statesman. We find out in September if she Wins Best of the Best Physical Therapist!
As a reminder, Amethyst will be on her leave of absence starting August 1st and will return in office November 14th. She wants to thank all of her patients for the immense support and encouragement. She is so grateful that her patients have been understanding and flexible. She wishes you all the best!
Megan Kalinich will be presenting all about the pelvic floor to the Healthy World Vitality Program Thursday, August 4th, from 2-3 p.m. C.T. The Healthy World Vitality Program "creates small groups that educate and support individuals so they can make and sustain the kind of lifestyle changes that will enable them to live their healthiest, most vital lives." Here is the zoom link to join.
On August 17, we are welcoming 2 new physical therapists to our team. Many of you will remember our student, Rehanna Stultz, who was with Amethyst Guerrero, PT, DPT in the Spring of 2022. We are excited to welcome her back as one of our physical therapists. We are also excited for April Smith, PT, DPT to join us. She has been practicing pelvic health in Round Rock and Georgetown.
Ashley Etherton's last day with our team will be on August 19. We wish her best of luck in the future. If you are a patient of Ashley's please reach out to the clinic to get rescheduled on one of our physical therapists schedule.
Congratulations to Sima Shalchi, PT, DPT, RYT for being named the top 3 physical therapists by the Austin American Statesman. We find out in September if she Wins Best of the Best Physical Therapist!
As a reminder, Amethyst will be on her leave of absence starting August 1st and will return in office November 14th. She wants to thank all of her patients for the immense support and encouragement. She is so grateful that her patients have been understanding and flexible. She wishes you all the best!
Megan Kalinich will be presenting all about the pelvic floor to the Healthy World Vitality Program Thursday, August 4th, from 2-3 p.m. C.T. The Healthy World Vitality Program "creates small groups that educate and support individuals so they can make and sustain the kind of lifestyle changes that will enable them to live their healthiest, most vital lives." Here is the zoom link to join.
On August 17, we are welcoming 2 new physical therapists to our team. Many of you will remember our student, Rehanna Stultz, who was with Amethyst Guerrero, PT, DPT in the Spring of 2022. We are excited to welcome her back as one of our physical therapists. We are also excited for April Smith, PT, DPT to join us. She has been practicing pelvic health in Round Rock and Georgetown.
Ashley Etherton's last day with our team will be on August 19. We wish her best of luck in the future. If you are a patient of Ashley's please reach out to the clinic to get rescheduled on one of our physical therapists schedule.
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