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Physical Therapist For Your Vagina
Image Credit: Oleksandr Boliukh/Getty
Elisha Beach writing for Scary Mommy penned this fantastic article about why you might want to get a physical therapist for your vagina, and she was gracious enough to ask for my input. Here is a brief synopsis of the article, along with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Did you know there was such a thing as a pelvic floor therapist — that’s right — a physical therapist for your vagina? They can help you fix things like incontinence, improve sexual experience and provide pelvic stability after giving birth. And I want to know why the hell is this not common knowledge?

I know I can’t be the only one that was clueless about this. After having kids, I thought I was relegated to peeing on myself for the rest of my life. And I had also resigned myself to not feeling my husband during sex as much as I use to before birthing my little crotch destroyers. But after a sneezing incident where I managed to shatter my phone when I panicked and snatched my legs together, a doctor friend told me my problem can be fixed. What?! You mean I am not ruined for life?

I have been dealing with this for basically a decade. I am accustomed to stopping everything and quickly crossing my legs together every time I sneeze. I carry extra underwear in my purse and car for emergencies and use incontinence products like bladder supports and pads. But frankly, I got fed up with not being able to control a simple bodily function.

I finally got fed up enough to get over my fears and visit a urologist. I wanted to find out what the heck was going on with my lady parts. And yes, I saw a urologist first because you typically need a diagnosis and a referral for a pelvic floor therapist.

I was diagnosed with a weakened bladder neck, the area that connects the bladder to the urethra. Or rather, as the urologist said in layman’s terms, a “wonky” bladder neck and also some possible nerve damage. Thanks kids … thanks a lot.

After explaining the possibility of surgery to rectify my “wonky” bladder neck, he referred me to a pelvic health therapist. And although I was excited to finally take some steps closer to no longer peeing on myself, I was apprehensive about what exactly a pelvic health therapist does and what I will have to do during the appointments.

Meet A Physical Therapist For Your Vagina

Dr. Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, and Poise® partner, shared with me that pelvic health therapists restore function, reduce pain and improve coordination and strength of the pelvic floor. And pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for mommas that are tired of peeing on themselves or women that experience pain during sex. It can help everybody – because all humans, of all genders and ages, have pelvic floor muscles. And it can even help with things like chronic lower back pain, constipation, and abdominal pain. Who knew?

Still curious about whether you should get a physical therapist for your vagina? Click here to continue to the full article.

 

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What Our Patients Have to Say

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Testimonial by Fritzette H.

I went to Heather after the birth of my third child. It was lucky, really, that I was referred to her, because my doctor had referred me to a surgeon for a possible hysterectomy or pelvic wall rebuild. Thankfully, I went to Heather before undergoing either surgery, she was able to fix the problem. She has studied extensively in women's health--even written a book about it--and was able to diagnose my problem, suggest a course of treatment (6 weeks), and then follow through with said treatment. By the end, as she said, I was as good as gold. Boy, was it worth it! Though uncomfortable to talk about, much less write about, it is worth getting the word out there. If you have painful intercourse, especially after birth or other trauma, the treatment may be as simple as Physical Therapy (with Heather, of course). I highly recommend her.

-- Fritzette H., 3/24/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by Carolina J.

I had tried Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy before (with another PT) and I had a really bad (painful) experience. A friend of mine and fellow patient, told me about Heather, Laureen and Femina PT (née Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy) and I decided to try again. I am so happy I did! Femina PT have, literally, changed my life. I was able to do again things I couldn't do for over 10 years!! Their bedside manners are impeccable, their knowledge and understanding make me feel comfortable to recommend this place to anyone in pain. Specially if you have Endometriosis. 100% recommended!!

-- Carolina J., 12/28/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by Amanda W.

Heather's unique physical therapy program literally changed my life! After years of struggling with vaginismus, a condition that made it impossible for me to have intercourse and very difficult to use tampons without pain, a gynecologist referred me to Heather. I was nervous for my first appointment, but Heather's professional and friendly demeanor put me at ease. She did a great job explaining each technique she was using to help my muscles relax. Heather uses a combination of internal and external stretches and exercises to relax the pelvic floor and build muscle strength. Her specially developed home program helped me quickly recover from an issue that seemed insurmountable before meeting Heather. She was optimistic about my progress and incredibly encouraging. Less than 6 months after my first session, I was able to have pain-free sex for the first time in my life! If you are suffering from vaginismus or any other pelvic floor issues, I highly recommend making an appointment with Heather and reading her book!

-- Amanda W., 2/15/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by M.M.

My husband and I were married for 5 years and unable to have intercourse, but I never knew why. After numerous awful experiences at doctor’s offices (where many doctors told me I “just needed to relax”), a surgery that didn’t fix the problem, and a year of owning dilators that didn’t get me anywhere, someone finally referred me to Heather for Physical Therapy. I finally had answers and information from someone who knew exactly what I was dealing with!

Read more: Testimonial by M.M.

Testimonial by A.W., age 32

I wanted to let you know that my pelvic floor held strong and gave me no trouble whatsoever in my trail race this morning (12 miles)! In a way, I felt like I ran better than ever because my core feels so rock solid from all the exercises you have me doing. That was especially valuable on the technical downhill - I just flew down the trail because I had confidence in my balance and form. Thank you for helping me get back to doing what I love.

-- A.W., age 32
(completed Post-partum Renewal Program using the InTone biofeedback/stim unit)

Testimonial by J.H.

My last appointment with Heather was over 6 years ago but I still think of her every day. I don’t take for granted that I can easily get out of bed, care for my two active and busy young boys, run, play tennis, clean my house, or sit at a desk for several hours at a time. None of these tasks were easy for me before meeting Heather. Eight years ago my car was struck from behind by a tractor trailer that was estimated to have been speeding. I spent 3 years working with different PTs and Drs trying to heal and move on with my life. When I became pregnant and the hormone relaxin that “relaxes” all the joints of the body and the additional weight gain erased all my progress and I was suddenly in a lot of pain again. My OB sent me to Heather for one last try.

Read more: Testimonial by J.H.

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