#getptfirst

[fit2b]

If dudes are wetting themselves, and one of their bros says "Yo, you can fix that with physical therapy and a few hundred bucks," dudes will say, “Sign me up, brother.”

Meanwhile, so many women aren’t sure their privates are savable. Whyyy? Oh, because we tell each other that it's normal to pee ourselves and have painful periods and vaginismus (painful sex) after kids. C’mon, ladies. That's bad info. We have to quit hurting ourselves and our sisters by passing on bad info.

If they say any different, you send them to me. I'll sort them out cracks knuckles​

Yeah, this isn’t just about you and your confidence! It’s about your ability to say yes to playing with your kids, no to pads and pessaries, yes to trampolines, no to girlfriends who say it’s normal, yes to making love without discomfort.

Above all, do not give up on this. Bulging vulvas, leaking bladders, Diastasis Recti, and pain in your pelvis have a high impact on your quality of life! Don't ignore those issues when they are treatable! The proper therapy and exercises can restore your function and confidence again.

While you call around for a good, quality physical therapist (see our recent posts for questions to ask) here are some exercise video titles on Fit2B that can help you safely connect to your core and pelvic floor while you wait + give you words to describe things better for your PT at that first appointment.

Pelvic Floor Connections

Transverse Training

Totally Transverse

Kelly's Standing Abs Routine

Kelly's Dynamic Pelvic Floor Exercises

The SPD Routine

Restorative Poses

Many more I don't have room to list here!

Read more about how to find and what to ask a good physical therapist here in this Fit2B article:

[fit2b]

You know your body because you've lived in it your whole life. We are focusing on physical therapy this week and encouraging ALL our clients to consider booking at least one session with their local physical therapist... but how do you find a good one?

HOW do you find the right therapist in your area who can truly help you with the best, most up-to-date treatment options?

Once you find a good clinic (see our last post) here are some questions to ask prior to your first appointment:

Is there anything I should watch for or avoid between now and my first appointment?

What can I expect to happen during my first appointment?

Is it okay if I want to bring someone along to support me?

What should I wear or will I need to undress?

Some women won’t go unless they have a comforting hand to hold, while some clinics rather you come alone. Some therapists/specialists/physios incorporate exercises while others refer out for that piece or ask you to avoid fitness altogether. Sometimes a tens machine is used for biofeedback while other’s may use gloved fingers to assess and release restrictions.

The most important thing is that if the answers YOU get in response to YOUR questions leave YOU at all dissatisfied or conflicted, YOU need to politely end the conversation and keep looking for the right person who can meet YOUR needs.

Blank stares and “I don’t know” answers are unacceptable. Listen and take notes, and then go with the clinic that makes you the most comfortable and gives you peace and perspective.

Ask questions and pursue the best care like you're just as important as that person. You are that person. You deserve to heal and feel better, inside and out.

Read more here: https://fit2b.us/how-to-find-and-what-to-ask-a-good-pelvic-floor-therapist/

[fit2b]

This week, our theme is physical therapy. We are encouraging you to consider whether you need it or not. Spoiler alert: if you've never had it, you likely need it. If you've had some, but you've given birth + never had INTERNAL work done you definitely need it!

I think you should ask the following questions when you’re searching for the perfect PT to meet your needs.

Will there be any internal examinations or treatments such as scar tissue release?

Do they just do manipulations and modalities, or do they also incorporate a rehab plan?

Are they up to date on the relationship between diastasis recti and pelvic floordysfunction?

Do they offer more than kegels, splinted crunches and planks?

How much time do they spend with each client?

Do they accept your insurance plan? If not, do they offer a cash discount or deferred billing?

You are the one who determines what the right answers are. In my opinion, both internal and external work should be offered. A rehab plan should be provided. They should understand the connection between diastsis and pelvic floor issues. They should do way more than keels and crunches and planks. They should spend a LOT of time with you and not rush the appointment. They should offer discounts to those whose insurance doesn't cover it, and they shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Read all my thoughts on how to find and what to ask a GOOD pelvic floor & core therapist here:

P.S. Here on Fit2B we feature several physical therapists as instructors in our workouts, and I am always collaborating with them and my other PT colleagues to create workouts that complement the work done in therapy. While exercising with diastasis-aware strategies can go a long way toward addressing your abs and pelvic floor, we feel it's very important for each of our clients to pursue at least one physical therapy appointment to address any personal needs. We need to heal so we can help others.

[appletherapy]

Come on in!

by Karin Biskovich, MPT                                                        August 30, 2016

You have just thrown out your back, strained your neck, fell on your shoulder, pulled your calf...the list goes on..now what do you do?  Do you go first to the ER, your doctor, chiropractor, or how about your local PHYSICAL THERAPIST? Did you know that you can come directly to your PT before the doctor? We are the experts in all musculoskeletal and can therefore assess your injury and decide what the best course of action is.  Physical therapists are educated with a master’s or clinical doctorate degree and are clinically trained to evaluate, assess, and safely treat injury.  We are also trained to recognize signs and symptoms of conditions that need to be referred to other health care professionals.  

Are you wondering when to come in?  The answer is immediately.  The sooner you come in to PT, the quicker we can get you better.  After the first 2-3 days following an injury, you may start to change the way you move in order to avoid pain.  These movements can then become habit which is difficult to change and can cause pain in a different body part.  Come to physical therapy before you start these bad habits.  

Additionally, there is a new push for doctors to send their patients to physical therapy first, before medication.  The goal is restoration of function versus passive pain relief that causes reliance on pain medication.  Physical therapists can provide pain relief treatment and counseling on how to avoid re-injury or manage chronic symptoms that continue to reappear.  You can read the TIME magazine article about the reliance on opiods for more information.  There will be more discussion on this topic in next week’s blog.

Go ahead and give us a call...don’t wait!