Restore the Floor

Pelvic health is especially important to me personally, as a mother, physical therapist and Pilates instructor. But, it gained even more significance in this past year. Not only did my husband and I welcome our fourth child in seven years this summer, but I also completed a Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist Course and Pelvic Floor Function, Dysfunction and Treatment course through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. 

I chose to specialize in postpartum and pelvic floor rehabilitation in hopes of gaining more knowledge to help my postpartum and pregnant mommas – including myself, and I gained even more than that. The extensive courses allowed me to learn many ways to be the best wife, mom and physical therapist I can be. All of these jobs require me to be physical and active. I learned how to properly function my pelvic floor, manage my diastasis recti and avoid and alleviate back and hip pain. This has been truly life-changing for me, and I have witnessed life-changing results in my patients, as well. 

I now find myself discussing pelvic health in all sorts of environments – the park, grocery store, school parking lot, church, etc. Upon first bringing it up, I get the same strange look, followed by a hushed question, “What do you mean pelvic floor?” 

Most women are a little uncomfortable discussing these issues until I bring up the fact that pelvic floor issues can be linked to many problems and that there are many ways to manage and solve these issues. 

What can a pelvic floor physical therapist treat? 

As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I have the ability to treat: 

  • Pelvic pain
  • Urinary symptoms (including both urge and stress incontinence)
  • Sexual dysfunction 
  • Low back pain, SI pain and any lower extremity pain that may be manifested from pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Diastasis Recti
  • Prolapse
  • Issues related to pregnancy and postpartum 

I am equipped to complete a full pelvic floor musculature evaluation by way of both external and internal examinations. The examination is followed by an extensive treatment plan that focuses on the long-term alleviation of symptoms. 

Additionally, we have a comprehensive team at Peak, including another physical therapist and three other Pilates instructors who have completed the Postpartum Corrective Core Exercise Specialist certification. We all have a deep passion for helping women return to the things they love to do.  

Take hold of your pelvic health!

I added the pictures to this blog first to show off my sweet babies, but also to remind myself and my clients that I have been there. I have dealt with these issues firsthand. I have felt the struggle of low back pain. I have felt the weight of wanting to get my body back after pregnancy – especially now after four babies! I have completely retrained my pelvic floor to function like it is meant to function. 

I am currently three-months postpartum and recently completed a five-mile run that was pain-free. I am carefully and intentionally returning to the things I love, but most importantly, I am able to take care of and enjoy my family. I absolutely refuse to accept that I have to live with pelvic floor issues. I am taking hold of my pelvic health because there are so many people who count on me. You can do the same and I am so passionate about sharing this new realm of physical therapy rehabilitation. 

Make an appointment today to see how I can help you RESTORE YOUR FLOOR! 

402-423-7325

Piriformis Syndrome / Sciatica

Piriformis-Syndrome-Sciatica

Sciatica or sciatic pain is something many people experience. Sciatic pain presents as sharp shooting pain traveling down the back of the leg from the hip potentially all the way to your heel. It can be a very debilitating symptom for people, limiting how long they can sit, stand or walk comfortably without pain. What causes this pain? It is caused by the sciatic nerve becoming impinged by tight muscles in your bottom, commonly the piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve runs right underneath the piriformis muscle and so when the piriformis muscle becomes tight and inflexible it presses down on that nerve. This causes those very uncomfortable sensations in the back of your leg. This is why Sciatica is also called Piriformis Syndrome.

Piriformis-Syndrome-Sciatica

Luckily, physical therapy is a very successful treatment option for Sciatica, aka Piriformis Syndrome. Use of manual therapy, (massage, Graston, Instrument assisted STM), stretching, glute muscle strengthening, Functional Dry Needling, and modalities can decrease these symptoms and help prevent them from reoccurring.

If this sounds like something you may be suffering from, try this Piriformis Stretch. Begin by lying on your back with both legs straight. Bend your involved leg up and using your hands pull your knee toward your opposite shoulder without rotating through your back or lifting up off the table. Hold this stretch for 20-30 seconds at a time, performing two repetitions on each leg. For further treatment or education on Sciatica/Piriformis Syndrome please call Peak Physical Therapy today!

Having knee pain? The cause may be in your hips!

hips causing knee pain

One of the more common injuries we see at Peak Physical Therapy with young athletes, most notably female athletes, is anterior knee pain, or what is also known as Runner’s knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

hips causing knee pain

PFPS is an irritation on the undersurface of the knee cap.   Most people with this condition will complain of pain along the inside or outside of the kneecap or directly below the kneecap.   These symptoms are more commonly brought on with running and jumping (sports) or squatting, walking down stairs and prolonged sitting.

So what causes PFPS?   Even though pain is felt at the knee, the knee is not usually the culprit.   One of the most common causes is weakness in certain muscles of the hip.    These particular muscles control the mechanics of the knee, and with weakness, they cause the femur (or upper leg bone) to internally rotate and adduct (knee goes inward) causing the kneecap to track outside of its normal groove.   This will cause much irritation and stress to this joint.   Functional weakness in these hip muscles can also lead to more serious injuries in sports, such as tearing your ACL.   This devastating injury, along with other serious knee injuries, can be the result of poor knee mechanics during landing or cutting.    Again, these faulty knee mechanics are the direct result from weakness in the lateral hip muscles which can easily be diagnosed and treated at Peak Physical Therapy.

Another common cause of this condition is pronated feet, or flat feet.   This will internally rotate the tibia (or lower leg bone) also causing the kneecap to track outside of its groove.   There are other factors which can contribute to this condition.   The more common factors are knock knees or tight hamstrings.

So how does one treat this condition?   First, you want to make sure to reduce the pain and inflammation, this may involve resting and avoiding painful activities.   Then we want to focus on what the true cause is.   If this condition is secondary to weakness in the hip muscles, rehab will include strengthening the hip and gluteal muscles which will in turn correct the faulty knee mechanics.   We will also focus on stretching any tight musculature.   If flat feet are the problem, a proper foot evaluation will be performed.   We want to make sure you are wearing proper shoes with good support.   Otherwise, foot orthotics can be used to correct the problem and lead to proper knee mechanics.

Anterior knee pain, or PFPS, is definitely treatable with the right diagnosis and proper treatment method.   We have seen tremendous results with this condition by implementing the correct treatment plan consisting of proper strengthening and stretching exercises alone with education in proper knee mechanics during activities such as squatting, jumping and landing.   If you, or someone you know, are having knee pain with activity, contact Peak Physical Therapy and let us help you get you back to pain-free sports!