In this episode, Dr. Amy Park invites Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, a pelvic floor physical therapist and co-director and mentor for Duke University's Women's Health Physical Therapy residency program, to shed light on the advantages of pelvic floor physical therapy for various types of conditions and patients.

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SHOW NOTES

Dr. Park and Harm-Ernandes dive deep into the definition of pelvic floor therapy. They emphasize the significance of a comprehensive initial exam to determine the specific assessments that a patient may require. For instance, internal assessments may include evaluating muscle strength, endurance, trigger points, and fascial restrictions. Another key component to pelvic floor therapy is the importance of behavioral therapy integration with physical therapy. For example, it is important to provide patient education over bladder relaxation to reduce urinary urgency and pelvic floor relaxation to prevent constipation. Assessing all body systems, particularly other areas of musculature, can help providers understand how the pelvic floor interacts with other symptoms. Overall, the key feature of pelvic floor therapy is individualized treatment. Pelvic floor physical therapists form the treatment plan around each patient’s goals.

During the discussion, Harm-Ernandes places a significant emphasis on the numerous indications for pelvic floor therapy, as well as common misconceptions surrounding it. For instance, she highlights that many women are often taught to believe that occasional urinary incontinence, particularly with age or after childbirth, is entirely normal. However, she stresses the importance of dispelling these myths and encourages women to seek professional help rather than accepting incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse, or chronic constipation as inevitable experiences. By dispelling these misconceptions and seeking appropriate treatment, individuals can significantly improve their quality of life and overall well-being.

Collaboration among health professionals is pivotal in treating patients holistically and addressing the complexities of pelvic floor disorders. Harm-Ernandes’ extensive knowledge and commitment to educating both patients and providers has been instrumental in highlighting the essential role of pelvic floor therapists.

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RESOURCES

Book: “The Musculoskeletal Mystery: How to Solve Your Pelvic Floor Symptoms”