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Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

pelvic bones

Before your first visit:

Request a referral from your medical doctor if your insurance requires this and complete the following forms:

The pelvic floor is a group of muscle, tendons, and ligaments in your pelvis which provide support for your pelvic organs, aide in bowel and bladder control, and contribute to sexual function. These structures coordinate with the bony structure of your hips and spine and the muscles of your back, abdomen, and diaphragm to provide your trunk with stability. Your pelvic floor must be able to contract and relax fully as well as respond to forces transmitted through your extremities. Injury to the pelvic floor may occur but is not always the cause of dysfunction.

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is effective
at treating the following conditions:

  • Urge Urinary Incontinence
  • Stress Urinary Incontinence
  • Mixed Urinary Incontinence
  • Increase urinary frequency
  • Painful bladder conditions
  • Dyspareunia
  • Vulvodynia
  • Vaginismus
  • Vestibulodynia
  • Low back, hip, groin, or sacral pain
  • Pudendal neuralgia
  • Anal or fecal incontinence
  • Chronic constipation
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum rehabilitation for cesarean and vaginal births
  • Pelvic organ prolapse (cystocycle, rectocele, enterocele, vaginal wall prolapse, rectal prolapse)
  • Painful scar tissue (cesarean or perineal)

Telehealth

We understand life happens. Sometimes childcare falls through. You may have a long drive to the office from work. Sometimes you’ll be too busy to make it to the office but you have 30-45 minutes for a telehealth visit. We are happy to offer rescheduling as a telehealth visit when your physical therapist’s schedule allows. Please call our front desk at 434-793-4711 Opt 2 as soon as possible when needing to reschedule to telehealth.

Wellness

We offer general wellness and pregnancy-related wellness. You may choose this option when trying to conceive, throughout your pregnancy, nearing birth, or in your postpartum period. Ask us for pricing details.

What treatments may be included?

Treatment will vary based on what your PT’s evaluation finds.

  • Diaphragmatic breathing
  • Soft tissue work to abdomen or hips
  • Internal release (vaginal or rectal)
  • Biofeedback
  • Pelvic Floor down training
  • Pelvic floor strengthening
  • Functional strengthening
  • Dry needling
  • Dilator training
  • Muscle stretches
  • Nerve glides
  • Instructions for self release using pelvic wand
  • Home exercise program
  • Bladder retraining
  • General sleep hygiene
  • General nutrition advice
  • Scar tissue mobilizations
  • Hip and spinal mobility
  • Balance and proprioceptive training
  • Return to activity/sport training

What to Expect in Your Pelvic Floor Evaluation:

After a thorough history, your physical therapist may perform the following assessments to develop your individualized plan of care:

  • Orthopedic assessment of joints and soft tissues of the spine, hips, & lower extremities
  • Balance and gait assessment
  • External assessment of vulva and pelvic floor muscles
  • Internal assessment of pelvic floor muscles for strength, tenderness, and coordination
  • Posture and breathing assessment

Your Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Providers

Patti Snead, PT, DPT

Patti Snead, PT, DPT

Formal Education
  • Chowan University Bachelor of Science Biology, 2003
  • Old Dominion University, Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2007
Continuing Education/Certifications
  • Herman and Wallace, Pelvic Floor Level 1: Introduction to Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction, and Treatment
  • American Physical Therapy Association Level 1: Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
  • Herman and Wallace, Pelvic Floor Level 2A: Function, Dysfunction and Treatment: Colorectal and Coccyx Conditions, Male Pelvic Floor, Pudendal Nerve Dysfunction
  • Fundamental Topics of Pregnancy and Post-partum Physical Therapy
  • Herman and Wallace, Pelvic Floor Level 2B: Function, Dysfunction and Treatment: Urogynecologic Examination and Treatment Interventions

Rachel Gunnell, PT, DPT

Rachel Gunnell, PT, DPT

Formal Education
  • University of Virginia Bachelor of Science in Education, Kinesiology, 2015
  • University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2017
Continuing Education/Certifications
  • Brooks Institute, Pelvic Floor Level 1
  • Herman and Wallace, Pelvic Floor Level 1: Introduction to Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction, and Treatment
  • Herman and Wallace, Pelvic Floor Level 2A: Function, Dysfunction and Treatment: Colorectal and Coccyx Conditions, Male Pelvic Floor, Pudendal Nerve Dysfunction
  • Herman and Wallace, Pelvic Floor Level 2B: Function, Dysfunction and Treatment: Urogynecologic Examination and Treatment Interventions
  • Herman and Wallace Pregnancy Rehabilitation: Safely Managing Pelvic Girdle and Musculoskeletal Conditions
  • Institute of Spinal Manipulation: Cert DN
  • Dry Needling for Craniofacial, Cervicothoracic & Upper Extremity Conditions (Certification in Dry Needling – Part 1)
  • Dry Needling for Lumbopelvic & Lower Extremity Conditions (Certification in Dry Needling – Part 2)

Elizabeth Rogers, PTA

Elizabeth Rogers, PTA

Formal Education
  • Bluefield College – Bachelor of Science degree: Major in Biology, Minor in Chemistry
  • Radford University Carilion – Physical Therapy Assistant
Continuing Education/Certifications
  • Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS):
    – Essential Spinal Seminar
  • MedBridge:
    – Functions and Dysfunction of the Pelvic Girdle and Pelvic Floor
    – Evaluation Strategies for the Pelvic Floor
    – Treatment Strategies for the Pelvic Girdle and Pelvic Floor
    – Orthopedic Connections to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Spectrum Medical
109 Bridge St, Danville, VA 24541
Ph: 434-793-4711
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Spectrum Medical Martinsville
1075 Spruce St, Martinsville, VA 24112
Ph: 276-790-3233
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