Pelvic Health FAQ
It’s Pelvic Health FAQ time! What are the most commonly asked pelvic health questions that we see used on Google to search for help? The wait is over…read on below…
What are the common reasons to seek out Garner Pelvic Health for pelvic floor and orthopedic therapy?
– Pain, incontinence, constipation, prolapse, painful sex, prenatal PT, postpartum recovery, core weakness, neck and jaw pain, voice issues, and specific conditions like endometriosis, hip labral tears and impingement, EDS, hypermobility, POTS and other dysautonomia issues, as well as perimenopause and menopause.
Garner Pelvic Health specializes in orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapy, integrative and lifestyle medicine, dry needling and musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging, and visceral mobilization all delivered through a functional medicine lens.
People travel from all over the world to seek care from Dr. Garner for endometriosis, hip labral tears and impingement complicated by hip dysplasia, hypermobility and EDS, and menopause and perimenopause.
Dr. Garner takes a Voice to Pelvic Floor approach, which is a systems-based way of helping women through all ages and stages of life using a trauma-informed approach, steeped in biotensegrity, biomechanical, and polyvagal theory. Because of this she often sees performing artists who need help with their voice or sustaining their breath during performance as it relates to voice changes during menopause, perimenopause, post-operative, or post-injury.
What treatments are available for pelvic floor dysfunction?
– Physical therapy, functional medicine, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging and biofeedback, manual therapy, massage therapy, relaxation techniques, electrical stimulation, medications, and in severe cases, surgery.
Dr. Garner is well known for her work in using musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound imaging (MSKUS) to treat complex cases, which can include visceral mobilization, functional medicine, integrative and lifestyle medicine, and dry needling.
When should I seek medical help for pelvic health concerns?
– If you experience persistent pain, incontinence, difficulty with bowel movements, prolapse symptoms, sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal issues, are postpartum or in perimenopause or menopause. Dr. Garner is an orthopedic PT specialist and she can also treat shoulder, neck, back, hip, knee, foot, or other orthopedic ache or pain.
What are some lifestyle changes that can improve pelvic health?
Dr. Garner has advanced training as a PT and she uses an Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine approach to treating voice to pelvic floor health. She looks for root cause by tracking labs and other lifestyle habits through the lens of functional medicine.
– Some of the things she addressed includes movement therapies and exercise, hydration, nutritional triggers and dietary changes to influence MSK and pelvic health, stress management, interpersonal and intrapersonal stress, and minimizing exposure to environmental pollutants and endocrine disruptors.
How are pelvic floor and pelvic girdle dysfunction and MSK conditions diagnosed?
– Through a physical exam, patient history, MSK ultrasound imaging (called MSKUS), labs, or specialized orthopedic and pelvic health testing.
What is pelvic organ prolapse?
– A condition where pelvic organs or nearby organs (bladder, uterus, rectum, intestines) drop due to pelvic floor dysfunction, fascial injury, post-operative issues, menopause, pregnancy, birth, and/or other injury or condition.
Can men experience pelvic floor issues?
– Yes, men can have pelvic pain, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, post-prostate surgery complications, and sexual dysfunction.
How can I strengthen my pelvic floor muscles?
– First, pelvic floor strengthening is NOT always indicated. Kegels are not a universal help, and can sometime actually cause harm (make your condition worse). The best way to determine what you need to help with your pelvic pain or issues is to have a physical exam and orthopedic evaluation completed an experienced, trained pelvic floor PT.
What are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?
– Hip, back, neck, jaw, foot, knee, or sacroiliac joint pain, urinary urgency or leakage, constipation, difficulty emptying bladder or bowels, weak or easily fatigued voice, chronic hoarseness or laryngitis, repeated abdominal injury, painful breathing, and painful intercourse, for starters.
What causes pelvic floor dysfunction?
– Pregnancy, childbirth, chronic constipation, surgery, heavy lifting, trauma, injury, accident, poor ergonomics, and/or high-stress levels.
