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!

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

Heather has affected my life in the MOST POSITIVE way and I am forever grateful. My husband refers to her as the "sex doctor" so you can only imagine how happy he is with my therapy outcome.

After the birth of my son I suffered from "Vaginismus", however, at the time I just thought I was broken. My "broken vagina" affected me physically but it was an emotional struggle as well. Many women in my life also suffered with pain from sex after their babies were born so I knew I wasn't alone. They told me they "just got used to it" but I couldn't see myself living that way.

Sex wasn't just painful, it was literally impossible - IT DIDNT FIT!

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!

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)

Page 1 of 12

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.