Ginger Garner
Specialties
Dr. Ginger Garner is an internationally recognized physical therapist specializing in complex pelvic and orthopedic rehabilitation. She is known for her work in endometriosis and pelvic pain, hypermobility and hip-pelvic conditions including EDS/hEDS and hip dysplasia, and the connection between voice, breath, pressure, and pelvic floor function. Her approach integrates pelvic health, orthopedics, imaging, and lifestyle medicine to help patients whose symptoms are often persistent, overlapping, or not fully addressed in conventional care.
Her work is especially sought out by people navigating complex recovery before and/or after hip arthroscopy, labral injury or impingement, endometriosis excision, hypermobility-related orthopedic and/or pelvic symptoms, pregnancy, postpartum, and/or menopause-related changes, and performance-related voice-to-pelvic-floor issues. Dr. Garner is also the developer of the Voice to Pelvic Floor methodology, a systems-based, trauma-informed approach grounded in the interdependence of the body’s diaphragm systems.
In addition to more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Garner has authored books and book chapters, developed post-graduate coursework and professional certifications, and advanced the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging in orthopedic and pelvic health care for complex populations. She is also the author of book chapters, articles, Medical Therapeutic Yoga,editor of Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine in PT, and has helped pioneer a Functional, Integrative, and Lifestyle Medicine approach within rehabilitation.
- Endometriosis and complex pelvic pain
Helping patients with persistent pelvic symptoms, painful intercourse, bladder-related pain, and overlapping conditions that often require a broader lens than pelvic floor care alone.
Too many women are told their symptoms are simply something they must live with. Dr. Garner’s work emphasizes that there are meaningful, evidence-informed ways pelvic health care can help. - EDS/hEDS, hip dysplasia, and complex hip-pelvic conditions
Supporting people recovering from hip arthroscopy, managing labral tears or impingement, or navigating hypermobility-related pelvic and orthopedic symptoms through a more integrated pelvic-ortho approach. - Voice to pelvic floor function
Treating issues involving the relationship between voice, breath, pressure management, diaphragm function, and pelvic floor coordination, especially for performers, vocalists, athletes, and others with complex whole-system patterns.
As a vocalist herself, Dr. Garner has a special interest in helping performers and athletes improve efficiency, reduce strain, and return to full function through a deeper understanding of the voice–breath–pelvic floor relationship. - Perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause
Providing specialized pelvic health support for pain, stability, pressure management, movement changes, and pelvic floor concerns during midlife and beyond. - Pregnancy, postpartum, and return to function
Supporting women through preparation, recovery, prolapse and incontinence care, and a safe return to movement and daily life. - Complex spine, jaw, diaphragm, shoulder, and lumbopelvic connections
Addressing whole-body patterns that can contribute to pelvic symptoms, especially when pain has been treated as isolated rather than interconnected.
Are you a PT, OT, or other medical professional?
If you are a PT wanting to do bridge the pelvic/ortho gap in patients with hip issues, take my Hip Differential Diagnosis & Integrative Management course.
If you are a pelvic PT or OT or voice professional interested in learning Voice to Pelvic Floor Methodology, take my Voice to Pelvic Floor Connection course.
If you are a PT or OT interested in learning Functional, Integrative, and Lifestyle Medicine from me – take my Integrative Lifestyle Medicine Certification.
If you are a PT or OT interested in being certified in Medical Therapeutic Yoga, take my Medical Therapeutic Yoga Certification (includes the ILM Certification).
Education & Training
- The University of North Carolina at Wilmington 1995 – Licensed Athletic Trainer (BA, ATC-Ret)
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1998 – Master of Physical Therapy (PT, MPT) – Go Heels!
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2016 – Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Certifications & Specialty Training:
- Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM) Professional Yoga Therapist (PYT), Pilates, Ayurvedic Practitioner, YACEP, ERYT500, Dry Needling (CIDN), Visceral Mobilization, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Sexual Dysfunction, Prenatal & Postpartum, Incontinence, Rectal & Bowel Dysfunction, Endometriosis, Interstitial Cystitis, Integrative Manual Therapy, Women’s Health, Mindfulness, MBSR, Trauma-Informed Care, Chronic Pain Care, Lumbopelvic Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging, Vocal Performance, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, & Pessary Fitting
Community Involvement
- North American Menopause Society (The Menopause Society) – Member
- American Physical Therapy Association – Member
- American Physical Therapy Association NC Chapter (APTANC) – Legislative Chair
- APTA Private Practice Section & Academy of Pelvic Health – Congressional Key Contact
- APTA Academy of Pelvic Health – NC State Representative, Postpartum Task Force Member, Prenatal & 4th Trimester Task Force Member
- American College of Lifestyle Medicine – Member and Founding MIG PT/OT Member and Co-Chair
- National Athletic Trainers Association – Retired Member
- International Pelvic Pain Society – Member
- Yoga Alliance – Member, Certified YACEP, ERYT500
- Volunteer – Vocalist, locally, regionally, and internationally
- US National Committee for UN Women NC Chapter – Past Board Member & Secretary
- IAYT – Former Charter School member of & founder of the first international yoga therapy school for medical providers