Where healthcare for women in all phases of life is a top priority.
1 in 4 women have pelvic floor dysfunction.
…whether we realize it or not. This increases during pregnancy & postpartum phases, after menopause and with increasing age — impacting over 40% of women after the age of 60. These issues are common, but not normal. With the right guidance through pelvic floor therapy, these symptoms are very treatable & preventable.
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Urine leakage/incontinence Urgency Frequency Constipation Stool Leakage Pelvic pain Overactive/tight pelvic floor Weak pelvic floor Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pregnancy & Postpartum C-section scarring Diastasis Recti Pain with intimacy Low back pain Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain Sciatica Pubic bone pain Hip pain Postural dysfunction
Elevating women’s health - it’s what you deserve.
What’s it about?
Women’s Health is a wildly underserved, but abundant patient population. We often don’t talk about leakage, pain with intimacy, or prolapse, but rest assured that many women around you are going through or have suffered from similar issues.
Let’s break down the barriers. The “hush” around this field generally comes from lack of awareness or understanding that just because it’s common to leak when you sneeze or jump, does not mean that it’s normal. For many, these symptoms seemingly last forever, but they don’t have to! And no - you should not just “live with it”.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
A specialty within the physical therapy field that evaluates and treats dysfunctions related to the pelvic region and surrounding structures and tissues. This includes those with urinary, bowel or sexual dysfunctions. As the pelvic floor is connected to the hips, legs and spine, this is often the missing piece in treating some of the more common orthopedic conditions.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) describes the inability to properly strengthen, relax, engage, and coordinate the muscles within your pelvic floor and abdominal region. When the pelvic floor is not functioning how it should, here is what can occur & what pelvic floor physical therapy can address:
What can I expect?
Hands-on treatment
External & internal pelvic floor assessment
Palpation of muscles & connective tissue
Soft tissue mobilization
Trigger point release
Joint mobilization
Cupping
Movement
Strengthening
Core/Abdominal re-training
Stabilization exercises
Postural training & alignment
Home exercise program
Education
Anatomy & function of body structures
Body mechanics
Symptom management
Lifestyle recommendations & resources
Breathing techniques
Personalized home program
“Pelvic floor therapy is not at all what I expected, and I am happily surprised. Nina’s kindness, attention to detail and consideration for my needs is unmatched. Would highly recommend Nina, hands down the best pelvic floor therapist in Miami!”
— ROMINA E.
Pelvic Floor FAQ
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Nope! On the contrary, the goal is relief of both pain and discomfort. Examinations & treatments may be performed externally and/or internally, but only with your consent. You may decline an internal exam or treatment at any time, no questions asked.
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Absolutely. With proper treatment, these symptoms can be reduced and often even eliminated. Evidence confirms that with pelvic floor treatment, women are shown to report reduced or cured urinary incontinence with improved symptoms, improved sexual outcomes, and greater overall satisfaction with treatment.
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The pelvic floor is directly connected to the spine, hips, and legs. It’s often the missing piece with low back, hip or tailbone pain, and we can help resolve the underlying 'why' and prevent unnecessary injections or surgery.
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It is never too late to get started. These symptoms are often chronic in nature - i.e. patient comes in for of pelvic pain that slowly progressed over 10+ years. Your pelvic floor therapist will work through your symptoms & medical history to form a comprehensive treatment plan.
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Incontinence is the involuntary passing of urine, gas, or stool, often associated with sneezing, laughing, exercise, or the inability to make it to the bathroom in time. Whether you completely pee your pants or just leak a few drops while laughing with a full bladder, any amount of leaking is considered incontinence.
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Incontinence can occur following events like childbirth, surgery, or weight gain. While many factors can be involved, incontinence is most commonly related to pelvic floor dysfunction. It can be a coordination issue, meaning your body is unable to time a contraction correctly, or a strength issue, meaning you don't have the muscle ability to prevent or delay voiding. Other deficits may relate to flexibility, sensation, and tension among others.
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Stress incontinence (SUI) or urge incontinence (UUI) are both involuntary losses of urine. In the case of SUI, this can occur with activity like coughing, sneezing, or jumping. UUI occurs when an urge to pee occurs and you leak before making it to the bathroom. If you experience both SUI and UUI , it is called mixed incontinence. Fecal incontinence is related to involuntary loss of stool.
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Feelings of heaviness or pressure in the vagina, or it may feel as if something is in your vagina, or that your vagina is "falling out." Symptoms are typically worse at the end of the day or with prolonged activity. You may also notice changes in your symptoms during your menstrual cycle.
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Some level of prolapse is a normal and expected part of aging, just as our breasts begin to rest a little lower, so do our pelvic organs. But experiencing symptoms from a prolapse is potentially preventable. Working with a pelvic floor physical therapist to maintain strength in your pelvic floor can actually reduce a prolapse's severity and symptoms.
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Pain with vaginal penetration is most often due to dysfunction in the tissue or muscles that surround the vaginal opening. Inadequate lubrication can lead to dryness and irritation of the vaginal canal, while spasms in the pelvic floor muscle layers can decrease the size of the vaginal opening making penetration painful or impossible.
Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles of the pelvic floor that surround the vagina, opening are unable to relax. This can make inserting a tampon, gynecological exams or penetrative sex very painful. Primary vaginismus occurs when the pain has always been present, while secondary vaginismus can develop following a specific event like trauma, infection, or menopause.