January 2021 Newsletter
Do I have to get surgery for a prolapse?
There are several different types of prolapse including;
Prolapse is graded on a 1-4 scale, with 4 being the most severe. Factors that can increase risk of prolapse are pregnancy, menopause, genetics, hypermobility, straining, chronic constipation, and obesity. Symptoms do not always correlate to severity. Symptoms may include frequent urination, pain with intercourse, feelings of heaviness in pelvic floor, bulging sensation, straining or using a finger to help have a bowel movement.
Research shows that pelvic floor physical therapy is effective for treating prolapse grades 1-3. Prolapse can be reversed by one grade by pelvic floor PT. Physical therapist can help identify if you need to work on strengthening, relieve tension that can prevent strengthening or if there is difficulty with coordination of the pelvic floor muscles.
To start off at home there are some simple things to avoid, helping protect the prolapse from being exacerbated. To protect the internal organs from increased pressure it is recommended to avoid deep squats, overhead lifting, performing crunches and decrease strain while having a bowel movement.
Yes, it is true that there are patients who have come in with prolapse and never required surgery after going through conservative treatment. If avoiding surgery is not an option, then participating in pre-rehabilitation and post rehabilitation can help improve surgical outcomes.
- Cystocele: anterior wall laxity where bladder protrudes into the vaginal canal
- Urethrocele: anterior wall laxity where urethra protrudes into vaginal canal
- Uterine prolapse: Uterus protrudes into vaginal canal
- Rectocele: Posterior wall laxity where the rectum bulges into the vaginal canal
Prolapse is graded on a 1-4 scale, with 4 being the most severe. Factors that can increase risk of prolapse are pregnancy, menopause, genetics, hypermobility, straining, chronic constipation, and obesity. Symptoms do not always correlate to severity. Symptoms may include frequent urination, pain with intercourse, feelings of heaviness in pelvic floor, bulging sensation, straining or using a finger to help have a bowel movement.
Research shows that pelvic floor physical therapy is effective for treating prolapse grades 1-3. Prolapse can be reversed by one grade by pelvic floor PT. Physical therapist can help identify if you need to work on strengthening, relieve tension that can prevent strengthening or if there is difficulty with coordination of the pelvic floor muscles.
To start off at home there are some simple things to avoid, helping protect the prolapse from being exacerbated. To protect the internal organs from increased pressure it is recommended to avoid deep squats, overhead lifting, performing crunches and decrease strain while having a bowel movement.
Yes, it is true that there are patients who have come in with prolapse and never required surgery after going through conservative treatment. If avoiding surgery is not an option, then participating in pre-rehabilitation and post rehabilitation can help improve surgical outcomes.
For more information please email:
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
SPT Spotlight
Jenny Taylor
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Jenny attended Texas A&M where she received her Bachelors in Kinesiology in 3 years. She then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University.
Combining her contagious joy and her heart for healing people emotionally and physically, Jenny has found a professional field she adores in pelvic floor therapy. In this setting, she gets to normalize conversations about pelvic pain and discomfort our culture has unfortunately made taboo, walk women and men through their healing journey, and interact with patients whose stories she’s eager to hear. At the end of the day, she wants her patients to know that they are not alone in their situation and there is a way to help.
Jenny is a member of American Physical Therapy Association and has taken continuing education courses for dry needling and several on pelvic floor diagnosis’ and treatments. She completed her last clinical rotation at Sullivan Physical Therapy which allowed her to expand her knowledge of pelvic floor physical therapy.
A native of Amarillo, Texas Jenny and her husband did whatever they could to move to Austin and enjoy the surrounding lakes, trails, and food scene. When she’s not at work you can find her training for a Half-Iron Man, begging her husband for a dog, or laughing on the porch with close friends.
Combining her contagious joy and her heart for healing people emotionally and physically, Jenny has found a professional field she adores in pelvic floor therapy. In this setting, she gets to normalize conversations about pelvic pain and discomfort our culture has unfortunately made taboo, walk women and men through their healing journey, and interact with patients whose stories she’s eager to hear. At the end of the day, she wants her patients to know that they are not alone in their situation and there is a way to help.
Jenny is a member of American Physical Therapy Association and has taken continuing education courses for dry needling and several on pelvic floor diagnosis’ and treatments. She completed her last clinical rotation at Sullivan Physical Therapy which allowed her to expand her knowledge of pelvic floor physical therapy.
A native of Amarillo, Texas Jenny and her husband did whatever they could to move to Austin and enjoy the surrounding lakes, trails, and food scene. When she’s not at work you can find her training for a Half-Iron Man, begging her husband for a dog, or laughing on the porch with close friends.
Research Roundup
Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Athletic Performance in NCAA Division III Collegiate Athletes - Gender-specific aspects physiology influence multiple systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal systems. Studies have shown that female athletes are 2 to 10 times more susceptible to ligamentous injury than men. Studies contributed these findings to varying anatomical structure between men and women, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, and some athletes taking oral contraceptives. A female athlete may be just as fit as her male counterpart, yet it is recognized that the menstrual cycle has unique physiological and psychological effects on athletic performance. Fluctuations in sex hormones and symptoms of the menstrual cycle may impact one's ability to train and compete.
Does Movement Change When Low Back Pain Changes? A Systematic Review - A relationship between changes in movement and changes in pain or activity limitation was infrequently observed at the individual level; however, a paucity of high-quality evidence precludes a definitive understanding of this relationship.
A Case Report of Ependymoma in a Pregnant Client with Thoracic and Lumbopelvic Pain - This case describes the physical therapy (PT) management of a pregnant client presenting with thoracic and lumbopelvic pain. Initially, treatment focused on core and pelvic girdle strengthening along with postural retraining and stretching. The client attended a total of 5 PT visits after which point progressive neurological symptoms developed. Medical examination, including imaging, revealed arachnoid cysts secondary to an ependymoma, a rare spinal tumor.
Does Movement Change When Low Back Pain Changes? A Systematic Review - A relationship between changes in movement and changes in pain or activity limitation was infrequently observed at the individual level; however, a paucity of high-quality evidence precludes a definitive understanding of this relationship.
A Case Report of Ependymoma in a Pregnant Client with Thoracic and Lumbopelvic Pain - This case describes the physical therapy (PT) management of a pregnant client presenting with thoracic and lumbopelvic pain. Initially, treatment focused on core and pelvic girdle strengthening along with postural retraining and stretching. The client attended a total of 5 PT visits after which point progressive neurological symptoms developed. Medical examination, including imaging, revealed arachnoid cysts secondary to an ependymoma, a rare spinal tumor.
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.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
- January 1, 2021, Our clinic will be closed for the New Year Holiday and we will re-open at 7 am on January 4, 2021.
- January 4 to April 2, We will be hosting a physical therapy student from Northwestern.
- January 4 to February 12, We will be hosting a physical therapy student from UTMB at Galveston.
- January 12, the Physical Therapy Team will be receiving an in-service from the Key2Free, which is a non-profit organization that provides safe transition housing, education, and therapeutic care for human trafficking survivors.
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