What is a pelvic floor and why should I care?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues located at the base of the pelvis. They are responsible for proper bowel, bladder, and sexual function in addition to providing support and stability through our pelvis and trunk. Poor awareness, strength, endurance, and flexibility of the pelvic floor can result in and contribute to bowel and bladder issues, sexual dysfunction and pain.
How can I tell if I have pelvic floor dysfunction?
Any issues with any of the following may be signs of PFD:
- things exiting (i.e., bowel movements and urine) such as pain, increased or decreased frequency (going too often or not often enough), difficulty (straining or pushing)
- things entering (i.e., internal exams at the doctor, penetrative intercourse, tampons, speculums, etc.) including pain, discomfort, or inability to tolerate
- things involving the reproductive system (i.e., menstruation and sexual function––erection, ejaculation, orgasm, or lack thereof) including pain, discomfort, or inability to tolerate
- things involving discomfort, pressure, or pain anywhere from the belly button/mid-back and down that is exacerbated by OR correlated with ANY of the previously listed activities
What type of conditions can a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist help with?
MANY! Click here to see a list of common treatable diagnoses.
What type of treatments are used for pelvic floor dysfunction?
Dr. Q utilizes a variety of approaches including, but not limited to, the following–
- Manual interventions (soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, etc.)
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Myofascial techniques
- Nervous system regulation
- Visceral mobilization
- Therapeutic exercise
- Guided imagery
- Behavioral re-training
- Pain modulation/desensitization
- Instrumented percussive massage
Does Dr. Q treat non-pelvic floor related issues?
Yes. Dr. Q’s main clinical experience as a DPT student as well as her first years as a licensed PT were spent working full-time as an outpatient orthopedic therapist. Dr. Q treats a variety of orthopedic musculoskeletal conditions including the spine (mid and lower back), neck, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet, TMJ (jaw), and elbows (tendonitis, epicondylitis), and has experience with post-operative rehabilitation.
How can I schedule an appointment with Dr. Q?
If you are looking to be seen in-clinic, please contact Women’s Advantage for availability, insurance verification, and rates. If you would like to schedule in-home or phone/video chat sessions, you can check availability and bookings here.
Does Dr. Q accept insurances?
Yes. In-clinic, Dr. Q is in-network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, and several HMO groups. Please contact Women’s Advantage for information and insurance verification.
All concierge and doula services (including remote consultations) are cash-based and will not be billed to your insurance. For rates, please click here.
How is Birth & Beyond by Q different than other childbirth classes?
Because Dr. Q is a licensed physical therapist specializing in pelvic health, this course not only prepares you for labor and childbirth, but gives you specific details on how to push effectively and includes all the information needed to guide you through postpartum recovery that virtually all childbirth classes lack. Furthermore, most classes are designed based on the intent of having an unmedicated vaginal birth, and while this is the goal for many parents, this isn’t always the case. Most parents are completely unaware of what to expect for and following a medicated, augmented/assisted, or cesarean birth and feel extremely unprepared in the event that their situation warrants or requires medical intervention. The curriculum was designed to present all information (including both holistic and medical approaches) in a non-biased manner so that parents can make the most informed and educated decisions for their births without feeling shame or judgment.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A doula (also known as a birth companion) is a non-medical person who provides emotional and physical support to mothers. A postpartum doula is specifically trained to help not only the baby, but the family as well, in the days or months following childbirth.
Is a Postpartum Doula the same thing as a Night Nurse?
No. Night Nurses provide infant care and tend solely to the newborn’s needs. They are trained professionals who often live in or overnight with the parents and work with them to understand newborn issues and development. Postpartum Doulas provide information as well as emotional and physical support to the family; This includes, but is not limited to, infant care (feeding, soothing), emotional and physical support during recovery from childbirth, sibling care, help with errands and housekeeping, guidance with local community resources.
How much does it cost to hire a postpartum doula?
Postpartum Doulas have individual rates (typically hourly) that vary by doula based on their location and client demographic. Because Dr. Q has a background in pelvic health physical therapy, she combines her expertise with her training as a doula and her rates reflect both scopes of practice. Her rates can be found here.
Will my insurance cover a postpartum doula?
Doulas are typically non-medical individuals, insurances usually do not offer coverage for them. You are always welcome to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement, however payment is not guaranteed.