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Sexual Health Treatments Offered by Femina Physical Therapy

  • Participate in a High Quality Study Using Shockwave Therapy for Painful Intercourse

    shockwave therapy for painful intercourse

    Learn about low intensity shockwave therapy for painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

    Our team at Femina Physical Therapy is committed to providing the highest level of evidence-based care. That is why we are conducting a research study to determine the effectiveness of low intensity shockwave therapy for painful intercourse, or dyspareunia as it is known clinically. We are searching for volunteers to participate in this high quality study. Those who qualify to participate will receive a reduced rate on all visits related to the study!

  • Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) | What is it and How Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Help?

    Red Tomato sliced open representing Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder

    Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) is a condition that is poorly understood.

    Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder is a rare disorder most commonly seen in those with female anatomy and is characterized persistent sensations of genital arousal in the absence of sexual desire or stimulation. These sensations typically stay after orgasm and are intrusive, unwanted, and can negatively affect quality of life.

    The diagnosis itself is not well known among healthcare practitioners yet alone the general public. Those who experience its symptoms can be hesitant to talk about it with their healthcare practitioners even though it may be affecting their quality of life.

  • Benefits of Manual Therapy for the Pelvic Floor

    Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

    Manual Therapy Skills are an Often Overlooked Aspect of Physical Therapy

    In is well documented in journals such as the International Urogynecology Journal and Harvard Medical School that patients see positive outcomes when they receive treatment with trained pelvic floor therapists. One of the most valued skills of a trained pelvic floor therapist is their manual therapy skills.

    What is Manual Therapy?

    Manual therapy is a clinical treatment approach using skilled, specific hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat soft tissues of the body. Manual therapy is used in a wide variety of rehabilitation settings, on all parts of the body.

  • Vaginismus Recovery, Diagnoses and Treatments

    Vaginismus Recovery - Diagnoses and Treatments

    Vaginismus Recovery is Possible

    Is it painful to insert a tampon, get through a gynecological pelvic exam, or engage in intercourse? Have you always just thought maybe it’s just supposed to hurt and began to shy away from it all? You’re not alone. There are many women who have felt and thought the same things. What you are feeling is real and the culprit may be a condition called Vaginismus.

    What is Vaginismus?

    The definition of Vaginismus has been debated over the years and was first introduced into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Third Edition in 1980. It was defined as a “recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse”.1 And now in the DSM, Fifth Edition categorized as a disorder in which any form of vaginal penetration or insertion such as tampons, a digit, gynecological exams, vaginal dilators and intercourse is painful or impossible. Women have described it as “hitting a wall”. This disorder has been put under the umbrella of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) in conjunction with dyspareunia (“recurrent or persistent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse”).2

  • Pelvic Floor Therapy | What To Expect on Your First Visit

    Pelvic Floor Therapy

    Unlike other offices, your first visit to Femina Physical Therapy is a thorough 85 minute evaluation.

    Here's an outline of what to expect when it comes to pelvic floor therapy.

    The goal of this initial evaluation is to understand all the different layers that could possibly be contributing to your condition. Once we understand the root causes of your issue, we will formulate a treatment plan to help you start feeling better, experiencing less pain, and getting back to the activities that you care about.

  • Anorgasmia / Dysorgasmia - No Orgasms, Diminished Orgasms, Painful Orgasms

    Anorgasmia / Dysorgasmia - No Orgasms, Diminished Orgasms, Painful Orgasms

    Anorgasmia / Dysorgasmia - Orgasm Related Problems and Solutions

    Anorgasmia and Dysorgasmia are clinical terms whose symptoms include complete lack of orgasm, diminished orgasms, and even painful orgasms. Causes can include physical, mental, and emotional factors.

    Dysorgasmia / Painful Orgasms

    Dysorgasmia is defined as a painful orgasm, but without any prior pain during sexual intercourse. The pain often manifests as a cramping sensation in the pelvis, buttock(s) or abdomen. The duration of pain from dysorgasmiacan last from seconds to minutes to several hours.

  • Physical Therapy for Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

    endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain

    Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

    How Endometriosis can cause or contribute to chronic pelvic pain, and what pelvic floor therapy can do to help alleviate it

    What is Endometriosis?

    Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside of the uterus (endometrial tissue is tissue that usually grows inside of the uterus and sheds each month). The most common area for it to grow is in the abdominal cavity, where it can implant on the surface of other structures including the ovaries, bladder, rectum, and along the walls of the abdomen and pelvis.

    The true prevalence of endometriosis is unknown since it takes a laparoscopic procedure to confirm the diagnosis, and many women either have no symptoms or seek no treatment (Signorello, Harlow, Cramer, Spiegelman, & Hill, 1997). However, up to 78% of women undergoing laparoscopic investigation for infertility and up to 82% of women investigated for pelvic pain were found to have endometriosis in one study (Schenken, 1996; Wellbery).

    Actress Lena Dunham has been vocal about her experiences with endometriosis, most recently publishing an essay in American Vogue on electing to have a total hysterectomy after years of chronic pain due to the condition.

  • The IRAS Method

    The IRAS Method

    Instruction in The IRAS Method is currently only available for individual instruction to patients. Qualified health care practitioners can be instructed in a group or individual setting, in your office or ours.

    The IRAS Method is a unique combination of physical therapy, massage and neuromuscular techniques optimized to provide the quickest recovery of pelvic floor muscle spasm, hypertonicity and/or over-activity.

Products Related to This Topic

When Sex Seems Impossible by Peter Pacik, MD

Have fear and pain stopped you from having intercourse?
Are you unable to use tampons, or feel like they won't fit?
Do you physically withdraw or panic during gynecological exams?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be suffering from vaginismus, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide.

This book offers important medical information and first-person stories, including a new treatment option that has helped over ninety percent of my patients with severe vaginismus overcome this condition to go on to have pain-free, intimate relationships.

My treatment of vaginismus has put me in contact with patients from around the world and many different cultures. While each patient is unique, their stories evoke common themes-the shame of not being able to experience intercourse; guilt over lost relationships; a deep fear that their childbearing years will come and go. The stories shared by these women moved me deeply, and I felt their voices needed to be heard.

When Sex Seems Impossible: Stories of Vaginismus and How You Can Achieve Intimacy provides medical information about this condition and how it can be overcome. Equally important, the book shares the personal experiences of several of my vaginismus patients. These women volunteered to tell their stories in an effort to let their sister sufferers know that they are not alone, and do not need to suffer in silence. I admire them more than I can say.

Testimonials from Patients of Dr. Pacik for the Treatment of Vaginismus:

It has been three weeks and two days since my procedure. I was finally able to achieve intercourse tonight (full penetration)! I have learned so much about myself and my body since the procedure. I woulld highly recommend this treatment to anyone who suffers from vaginismus."

I feel like I have a real marriage now. I feel triumphant!"

Today we finally made love. It was actually incredible. I finally got to connect with him on this amazing level."

When Sex Hurts by Andrew Goldstein, MD
Heal Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein, MPT

What They Say About Us

  • Testimonials

    • Testimonial by S.H., age 24

      I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me for the past 19 months. I literally could not have reached my goals without you and your practice. You gave me the courage to keep moving forth with my treatment no matter how afraid and anxious I was. You were always there to answer questions and made this whole process so much easier than I expected it to be. It's because of you that my marriage is on the right track, that I can get pregnant and that this part of my life is finally...

      Read more Testimonial by S.H., age 24

  • Testimonials

    • 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...

      Read more Testimonial by Fritzette H.

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