November 2018 Newsletter
I had a c-section, so my pelvic floor is totally fine...
Patients who have undergone vaginal delivery and are working with me to eliminate postpartum symptoms such as urinary leakage, pain with intercourse at the site of tearing, or prolapse will sometimes say “I wish I would have just had a c-section, then I wouldn’t have all of these problems.” Well…yes and no. They may not have presented in exactly the same way, but I think, when it comes to coping with symptoms postpartum, the grass is always assumed greener on the other-method-of-delivery side.
For individuals who have undergone a c-section, sometimes I feel that postpartum recovery education is even less available (if that could be possible). There are many symptoms that we see in these moms that are very treatable, even years down the road but everyone seems to think that because they had a surgical procedure, they just have to deal with the aftermath. False.
Symptoms commonly reported:
Problem: The scar itself may be painful and restricted or is unsightly
Problem: The individual feels like they have no abdominal strength, or they have back pain
Problem: Bladder frequency and urgency, leakage
Problem: Painful intercourse
Take home points: A caesarean is not a routine procedure. It involves lots of disruption of the musculature and tissue throughout the area and forms significant scarring that can cause numerous abdominal and pelvic symptoms. See a pelvic floor physical therapist to assess your scar and find out what can be done to help you heal fully.
For individuals who have undergone a c-section, sometimes I feel that postpartum recovery education is even less available (if that could be possible). There are many symptoms that we see in these moms that are very treatable, even years down the road but everyone seems to think that because they had a surgical procedure, they just have to deal with the aftermath. False.
Symptoms commonly reported:
Problem: The scar itself may be painful and restricted or is unsightly
- Insight/Fix : we can perform scar massage to decrease restrictions and alleviate pain, while desensitizing the skin, sometimes even (as a bonus) getting clothing to fit better and get rid of that shelf-like appearance over the scar.
Problem: The individual feels like they have no abdominal strength, or they have back pain
- Insight/Fix: Again, we’ll work through scar tissue while teaching the patient to properly activate abdominal musculature in the proper manner . Once abdominals can work as they were prior to surgery, those muscles can support the spine, thereby resulting in decreased back pain with activities and safe return to exercise.
Problem: Bladder frequency and urgency, leakage
- Insight/Fix: This one is actually often overlooked as having anything to do with caesarean history.Very frequently, we find significant scar tissue deep to the visible scar.What you can see is really just the tip of the iceberg. Those deep aspects can become wrapped around the area of the bladder, limiting the bladder’s ability to fill well and causing bladder spasms.This can make it feel like you have to pee all the time or actually contribute to bladder leakage when it feels like you have to pee. Manual work to the scar and bladder can often make a huge impact in these symptoms
Problem: Painful intercourse
- Insight/Fix: if the uterus or deep aspect of vaginal canal are also restricted or have scar tissue wrapped around them, the scar can actually be a large contributing factor to painful intercourse. A mix of internal and external manual therapy can alleviate this pain.
Take home points: A caesarean is not a routine procedure. It involves lots of disruption of the musculature and tissue throughout the area and forms significant scarring that can cause numerous abdominal and pelvic symptoms. See a pelvic floor physical therapist to assess your scar and find out what can be done to help you heal fully.
Online Bill Pay
We now offer an online payment portal for you to make your payments safely and quickly!
Please visit www.sullivanphysicaltherapy.com/payments.html.
For more information please email:
holly@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Please visit www.sullivanphysicaltherapy.com/payments.html.
For more information please email:
holly@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
SPT Spotlight
Jamille Niewiara, Physical Therapist
Jamille Niewiara received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. During her last clinical rotation, Jamille had a 3 month internship at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She gained interest and knowledge working in women’s and men’s health conditions and continued working at Sullivan Physical Therapy after graduation.
Jamille is a member of the Texas Chapter and Women's Health Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is currently pursuing her Women's Health Clinical Specialist Certification (WCS). Jamille is very passionate about teaching. She is the co-host of the podcast: PT Below The Waist, and discusses how pelvic floor physical therapy can help treat bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain. Jamille also co-instructs an introductory pelvic floor course called "Diving into the Pelvic Floor" for those interested in pursuing a career in pelvic floor physical therapy.
Jamille is passionate about treating patients with pelvic floor conditions and providing them with the tools and support they need to improve their overall well being. She strives to make her patients feel comfortable and assure patients they are in the right place to address their symptoms.
Jamille currently lives in North Austin with her husband, dog, and baby girl. She loves to go to the movies, camp, bowl, and spend time with her family and friends.
Jamille is a member of the Texas Chapter and Women's Health Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is currently pursuing her Women's Health Clinical Specialist Certification (WCS). Jamille is very passionate about teaching. She is the co-host of the podcast: PT Below The Waist, and discusses how pelvic floor physical therapy can help treat bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain. Jamille also co-instructs an introductory pelvic floor course called "Diving into the Pelvic Floor" for those interested in pursuing a career in pelvic floor physical therapy.
Jamille is passionate about treating patients with pelvic floor conditions and providing them with the tools and support they need to improve their overall well being. She strives to make her patients feel comfortable and assure patients they are in the right place to address their symptoms.
Jamille currently lives in North Austin with her husband, dog, and baby girl. She loves to go to the movies, camp, bowl, and spend time with her family and friends.
Austin Film Festival
Sullivan Physical Therapy staff attended the Austin Film Festival to watch Tightly Wound. Tightly Wound is a 10-minute animated film that follows Shelby’s experience with vaginismus; a pelvic floor condition characterized by involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that tighten the vaginal entrance, causing pain, penetration problems, and inability to have intercourse. It chronicles the various ways it has affected her life – how health professionals have failed her, men have rejected her, and shame, anger, and hatred have plagued her body. Tightly Wound is based on Shelby's essay that was published in BUST Magazine in the Oct/Nov 2016 issue. Sullivan Physical Therapy is an executive producer of Tightly Wound.
To watch the movie please click here.
To watch the movie please click here.
For more information please email:
kimberlee@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
kimberlee@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Upcoming Dates
November 1
Angela Dobinsky will be giving a virtual presentation on abdominal adhesions to the physical therapy students at South College.
November 3 - 4
Jessica Chastka and Jamille Niewiara will be teaching their Diving into the Pelvic Floor course at Texas Women's University.
November 6
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center
November 9
Christina McGee will present on common diagnoses in pregnancy and postpartum to MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) at Austin Oaks Church.
November 10
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
November 16
Rachel Madera and Jamille Niewiara will prestent about pelvic floor dysfunction to doulas at
the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance.
Angela Dobinsky will be giving a virtual presentation on abdominal adhesions to the physical therapy students at South College.
November 3 - 4
Jessica Chastka and Jamille Niewiara will be teaching their Diving into the Pelvic Floor course at Texas Women's University.
November 6
UsToo Prostate Support Group: Mike Jones Memorial Chapter will be
at 7pm to 8:30 pm at St.David's South Austin Medical Center
November 9
Christina McGee will present on common diagnoses in pregnancy and postpartum to MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) at Austin Oaks Church.
November 10
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
November 16
Rachel Madera and Jamille Niewiara will prestent about pelvic floor dysfunction to doulas at
the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
The physical therapy team was busy in October. Here are some highlights:
- Christina McGee attended the quarterly meeting of Birth Baby Body, a collection of birth professionals focusing on supporting moms through the postpartum period on October 14.
- Amethyst Guerrero and Christina McGee were in attendance to represent Sullivan Physical Therapy at Bedpost Confessions, a storytelling event promoting sexual health and sex positivity on October 17.
- Christina McGee presented information on common complaints in pregnancy and postpartum as relate to safety in yoga practice to pre and postnatal yoga instructors at Austin Area Birthing Center on October 24.
- Kimberlee Sullivan taught 60 doctoral of physical therapy students at Texas Woman's University in Houston about pelvic floor physical therapy on October 25.
- The physical therapy team was fortunate to have Dr. Jamie Guyden of Evolve Integrative Care as their quarterly in-service on October 18. She discussed healing pelvic pain through bioenergetics, which is a field of study that connects the biochemical and energetic aspects of an individual.
- Angela Dobinsky completed a year long continuing education course in October to become a health coach. She is now a Certified Women's Health Coach through the Integrative Women's Health Institute.
For more information please contact Angela Dobinsky:
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
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, we are only contracted with BlueCross BlueShield Insurance at this location. If you have another insurance, we would collect payment and provide you a receipt to file with your insurance.
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, we are only contracted with BlueCross BlueShield Insurance at this location. If you have another insurance, we would collect payment and provide you a receipt to file with your insurance.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service and schedule an appointment or email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
