Specialty Treatments available at Femina Sherman Oaks

Utilizing Softwave Shockwave Therapy in Rehabilitation for Women's Health and Pelvic Health Conditions

We are excited to offer SoftWave's shockwave therapy at our Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills offices

SoftWave therapy (a specialized type of low intensity Shockwave Therapy) has been increasingly utilized in rehabilitation environments. In our offices, licensed physical therapists treat pelvic health conditions such as vestibulodynia, vulvodynia, vaginismus, pelvic pain, and other female sexual pain diagnoses, other pelvic health issues such as urinary incontinence, bladder pain and urinary urgency and frequency. As licensed physical therapists that take a whole body approach to your care, we also utillize Softwave for numerouse orthopedic conditions including neck pain, back pain, acute and chronic tendinitis', temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), DeQuarvain's Tenosynovitis, plantar fasciitis, joint pain and inflammation, sprains & strains, muscle pain, scar pain and restricted scar tissue and so much more.

Softwave therapy has many applications for new mamas as well! Softwave is well-researched for wound healing, and we utilize this to treat slow to heal or non-healing perineal lacerations from childbirth and cesarean incisions, accelerating the healing process through the creation of new blood vessels, tissue regeneration and other processes discussed below.

Myofascial Release Therapy to Alleviate Chronic Pain

Myofascial restrictions can be caused by postural dysfunction, trauma, inflammatory conditions and/or surgeries. When these restrictions occur, they can produce tensile pressures up to 2,000 pounds per square inch on sensitive structure and lead to chronic pain. It essentially creates a ‘straight-jacket’ of pain around the tissue and can keep you in a cycle of pain.

You’re not alone; we provide a safe space for you to express your concerns and receive the guidance necessary to improve your quality of life.

Start your pelvic health journey with us

Our Patients' Journeys

A personal journey and testimonial from one of my patients:

My husband and I were married for 5 years before we were able to have intercourse due to my vaginismus. There was nothing traumatic in my past but for some reason, even though I wanted sex, I mentally avoided "that area" of my body and didn't even admit to myself that there was a problem for a long time, even though I was never able to put tampons in. Once I finally opened my eyes up to the fact that I had a problem, I had a surgery that was supposed to fix the issue.

Before I was referred to Heather Jeffcoat I was living in a nightmare. I had been married to my husband for three years and I was suffering from Vaginismus. That all changed when I visited my OBGYN and she said she knew of someone with a great success rate. To be honest I was hesitant at first because my first doctor had already told me that all I needed to do was order dilators from the internet and I should overcome my problem. She was wrong because I had followed the book on how to use the dilators with absolutely no advancements in my condition. However, that all changed when I went in for my first visit and Heather took the time to explain my condition and how we were going to work together to overcome it.

I remember leaving her office with a glimmer of hope that I could live a normal life. As my sessions continued I began to see immediate results. With only four sessions and a strict dedication to my home programs I was cured of Vaginismus. In the beginning of this process I was made aware that my health insurance company might not cover the costs, which was disappointing but today I can say one hundred percent that it was the best money I ever spent. Now thanks to Heather I am finally enjoying my life to the fullest with my husband. Thank you Heather, I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. I will never forget it. Those who are suffering from these types of conditions don’t be afraid because she makes you feel so comfortable and the end result is worth it. Good luck to you all and I hope you experience the success I have.

-- A.B.

I was hopeful but frankly skeptical when the doctor treating me for Interstitial Cystitis recommended that I go to Heather for physical therapy. Medication and diet helped control my IC symptoms, but I had never heard of physical therapy being used to treat IC. The education and treatment I received from Heather was a revelation. She explained that the pain I experienced with IC had helped create a cycle of muscle guarding which affected the entire pelvic area. I had no idea of the amount of tension being held there. No wonder my husband and I had not been able to have sexual intercourse for years!

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Explore the Essence of Femina Sherman Oaks' Pelvic Health Expertise

Our Women’s Health Therapists specialize in treating musculoskeletal and pelvic health issues specific to women. We support women with targeted treatments for problems like pregnancy related pain and postpartum recovery, pelvic dysfunction, incontinence, and infertility. Through tailored exercise programs, hands-on therapy, and educational support, we help women improve their physical health, decrease their pain, and enhance their quality of life. Our therapists promote honest conversations about sensitive issues, ensuring women feel at ease discussing their health and restoring confidence in their bodies.

Our collaborative team features a number of experienced providers, including physical therapists, an acupuncturist, an MFR and massage therapist, and a Pilates studio. The space features several private treatment rooms and an additional physical therapy gym.

: Published: 24 September 2024; Last Updated: 24 January 2025

Get The Book

Haga clic aquí para la versión española Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide To The Sex Life You Deserve was written by Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, a physical therapist with countless successes in treating pain of this type. Women with vaginismus, overactive pelvic floor, painful intercourse, vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, vestibulodynia, dyspareunia, interstitial cystitis have all benefited from her unique program. Heather uses her orthopedic background to approach treatment of these muscles like they are....muscles! She utilizes a self-treatment tool called a dilator to provide massage and other muscle relaxation and stretching techniques in a gentle fashion to return a women's muscles back to a resting, rather than guarded, state.

• To order "Sex Without Pain" in paperback from Amazon for $24.99, click here.

• To order an electronic read-only non-printable PDF copy of the book for instant download at $19.99, use the button below:

• To schedule an appointment at one of the Femina PT offices, click here.

• For a list of other trusted health care providers, click here.

Our Sherman Oaks Team

Meet Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Femina PT Founder

Heather Jeffcoat (she/her/hers) is the author of Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide To The Sex Life You Deserve and a recognized expert in the field of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. She is also former President of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy from 2021-2024, and she is on the Advisory Board of the International Pelvic Pain Society. After receiving many emails from people around world, she noticed there was a gap in access to quality pelvic floor physical therapy providers, and women deserved answers and a treatment plan for the painful sex they were experiencing. She developed her book as a way to get her proven techniques to all who needed it.