OUR
SERVICES
OUR PELVIC FLOOR TREATMENT SERVICES
Common issues treated
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Pelvic, SI joint, and low back pain: These health issues often arise during pregnancy and can persist postpartum due to changes in posture and movement. Physical therapy helps alleviate pain and restore proper alignment to enhance mobility and comfort.
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Diastasis recti: This condition, where the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy, can lead to core weakness and discomfort. Treatment focuses on strengthening and healing the abdominal muscles and restoring functional core strength.
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C-section and perineal scar management: Scar tissue from C-sections or perineal tears can lead to discomfort and restricted movement. Pelvic floor treatment with physical therapy addresses scar tissue and soft tissue mobility in women to prevent pain and improve flexibility and healing.
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Prep for a smoother labor and improved outcomes: Physical therapy helps strengthen key muscles and improve pelvic floor function, which can lead to a more efficient and less stressful labor process. It also equips you with strategies to manage pain and speed up recovery after birth.
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Getting back to exercise and your activities faster: After childbirth, it’s important for women to rebuild pelvic floor muscles and strength gradually and safely. Pelvic floor treatment provides a roadmap to return to physical activities, helping you regain fitness without risking injury or overexertion.
Types of incontinence treated
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Urge urinary incontinence: This type of incontinence involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate, often resulting in leakage before reaching the bathroom. Focusing on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and improving bladder control to reduce urgency and accidents.
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Stress urinary incontinence: This occurs when physical activities, such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting, cause urine leakage. Therapy targets pelvic floor strength to provide better support for the bladder and improve control during physical exertion.
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Fecal incontinence: Involuntary loss of stool can occur due to weakened pelvic floor muscles or damage to the anal sphincter. Pelvic floor exercises restore function by strengthening the pelvic floor and teaching effective strategies to control bowel movements.
Pelvic Floor Conditions Treated
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Vaginismus/dyspareunia or painful intercourse: These conditions cause discomfort or pain during intercourse, often due to pelvic floor muscle tightness or sensitivity in the vagina. Physical therapy helps by relaxing the pelvic floor muscles and addressing the underlying causes of discomfort, improving vaginal health and sexual function.
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Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: This condition causes chronic bladder pain and urgency. The focus is on relieving pelvic floor tension and improving bladder function, which can reduce pain and discomfort.
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Endometriosis: This condition involves the growth of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus, causing pain. Pelvic floor physical therapy aims to decrease symptoms such as pelvic tension, improve circulation, and alleviate the associated pain.
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Vulvodynia: Chronic vulvar pain can result from various causes, including nerve sensitivity and muscle dysfunction. Easing symptoms involves reducing muscle tightness, promoting relaxation, improving blood flow, and desensitizing the area, which ultimately opens the pathway to relieving discomfort and improving overall function.
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Pudendal neuralgia: This condition involves pain from the pudendal nerve, which can cause discomfort in the pelvic region. Therapy focuses on reducing nerve irritation, improving pelvic floor mobility, and addressing the root causes of the pain.
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Tailbone pain: Tailbone or coccyx pain can be caused by injury, pregnancy, or prolonged sitting. Pelvic floor PT works on relieving tension in the pelvic muscles, promoting healing, and restoring comfort while sitting or moving.
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Full assessment and treatment strategies- yes even for lifelong or chronic constipation! Chronic constipation can significantly impact the quality of life. Pelvic physical therapy provides a thorough assessment to identify the root causes and develops a personalized treatment plan that targets muscle function, posture, and bowel habits, even for long-standing constipation.
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Low back and abdominal pain related to constipation: Constipation can lead to discomfort in the lower back and abdominal areas due to strain and muscle tension. Pelvic floor physical therapy addresses these issues by improving pelvic function, relieving abdominal and lower back tension, and promoting more effective bowel movements.
Pelvic Floor Treatment For Orthopedic Conditions:
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Pelvic floor-focused treatment is not limited to pelvic health; it also treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions, both related and unrelated to pelvic floor dysfunction. Whether you’re dealing with elbow pain, foot pain, neck pain, or hip pain, therapy addresses these issues by targeting muscle imbalances, joint dysfunction, and alignment problems, helping to relieve discomfort and restore mobility.
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Treatment is provided by a certified orthopedic manual therapist (COMT). With advanced training in manual therapy techniques, at Refine PT we use hands-on methods to improve joint mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance functional movement, helping you recover faster and return to your activities with confidence.
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Used to restore normal muscle function by increasing blood flow, reducing tension, and decreasing pain. Dry needling targets trigger points in muscles to promote healing, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tightness, which helps restore normal movement and reduce discomfort.
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Improves scar tissue mobility and function: Dry needling can break down adhesions in scar tissue from surgery or injury, improving mobility and flexibility while reducing pain and stiffness around the affected area.
Common Pelvic Conditions Treated
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Any pain in the pelvic region: Pain in the pelvic area can be caused by a variety of issues, including muscle imbalances, injury, or chronic conditions. Pelvic floor therapy helps identify the root cause and provides targeted treatment to reduce pain and restore function.
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Prostatectomy pre-hab and rehab: After a prostatectomy, men often experience changes in urinary function, pelvic muscle weakness, and pain. Therapy before and after surgery helps prepare the body for recovery and supports rehabilitation by strengthening the pelvic floor and addressing any post-surgical complications.
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Urinary or fecal incontinence and constipation: Issues with bladder or bowel control can impact daily life. Pelvic floor treatment that focuses on strengthening and coordinating pelvic floor muscles helps improve control, reduce leakage, and alleviate constipation. By enhancing the ability to properly squeeze and support the bladder and bowel, this treatment also works alongside urology care to optimize overall function and manage symptoms more effectively.
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Erectile dysfunction: Pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to erectile dysfunction by affecting blood flow and muscle function. Therapy works to strengthen the pelvic floor, improve circulation, and address any physical factors that may be contributing to erectile dysfunction.
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Everyone has a pelvis whether transitioning or otherwise! Pelvic health is important for everyone, regardless of gender identity. Transgender individuals may experience unique pelvic health needs and offer personalized care to address these concerns.
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Treatment includes a total body assessment and management of any effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy or GAHT: Gender-affirming hormone therapy can impact muscle tone, pelvic floor function, and overall physical health. Therapy helps assess these changes and provides management strategies to ensure optimal pelvic health throughout the transition process.
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Musculoskeletal issues that can arise from binding: Binding can lead to musculoskeletal issues such as rib, back, and shoulder pain. Physical therapy addresses these concerns by focusing on strengthening and restoring mobility to areas affected by binding, helping to reduce discomfort and improve overall body function.
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What is pelvic floor therapy, and how does it support pelvic health?As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I focus on restoring the strength and function of the pelvic region. Pelvic floor therapy is more than a series of exercises - it’s an individualized approach to addressing pelvic floor dysfunction, pain relief, and recovery, especially after childbirth. Whether you’re dealing with incontinence, pelvic pain, or postpartum challenges, my goal is to offer specialized care that targets the root of the issue so you can enjoy long-term relief and wellness. A strong and balanced pelvic floor supports your entire body, creating a solid foundation for movement so that you can enjoy all the activity Denver has to offer.
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Who benefits from pelvic floor therapy?There is a clear benefit to pelvic physical therapy for people of all ages and backgrounds who are experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, or have orthopedic injuries impacting the pelvic region. As a physical therapist with specialized training in both orthopedics and pelvic health, I bring a unique view to pelvic rehab. By treating not just the symptoms but the entire body system involved, I work with clients to strengthen and restore function, no matter where they are on their wellness journey.
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How do you incorporate orthopedic therapy with pelvic rehab for effective, lasting results?My background as a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) allows me to see the bigger picture of how orthopedic issues can influence the pelvic floor. I integrate manual therapy, pain neuroscience, and a deep understanding of the nervous system to deliver a treatment approach that addresses the underlying causes of discomfort. By focusing on holistic care, I ensure that each therapy session helps achieve not just immediate relief but long-lasting improvement in your daily life and activities.
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Can pelvic therapy support my pregnancy and postpartum recovery?Absolutely, and I’m incredibly passionate about supporting women through both pregnancy and postpartum. Pregnancy and childbirth place significant demands on the pelvic region, often leading to discomfort, pain, or incontinence. My approach to pelvic rehabilitation during pregnancy and postpartum includes safe, effective exercises, hands-on techniques, and compassionate care that not only help you build strength and find relief but can also contribute to an easier delivery. My goal is to make both the pregnancy and postpartum journey smoother and healthier, so that as a new mom, you feel fully supported as your family grows.
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What other pelvic health conditions can be treated through pelvic rehab?At Refine Physical Therapy in Denver, I treat a range of pelvic health conditions beyond traditional pelvic floor dysfunction. In addition to addressing common issues like incontinence and pelvic pain, my services include specialized care for pregnancy and postpartum recovery, constipation relief, orthopedic therapy, and even dry needling for chronic muscle tension. I also provide pelvic therapy for male and transgender pelvic health, recognizing the unique needs each individual may have. My approach combines orthopedic and pelvic floor expertise with a holistic view of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to deliver transformative care. Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, rehabilitation, or support to regain strength and confidence, my goal is to help you achieve sustainable results so you can live an active, fulfilling life.
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How is your approach to pelvic floor therapy different from traditional physical therapy?My approach to pelvic floor therapy is rooted in a combination of orthopedic and pelvic health expertise, which allows me to treat the whole person rather than focusing on just the symptoms. Unlike traditional physical therapy that may target isolated areas, I assess how the pelvic region interacts with the entire musculoskeletal and nervous systems. By integrating manual therapy, pain neuroscience, and functional movement strategies, I create a highly individualized plan that addresses the underlying causes of pelvic floor dysfunction. This hands-on approach not only provides pain relief but also supports long-term wellness, helping my patients feel empowered in their bodies and daily lives.