Blog entries

Fecal Incontinence, Constipation, or Both?

Holly Tanner — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:23:40 +0100

While the co-existence of fecal incontinence (FI) and constipation is well-recognized in the pediatric and geriatric population, the authors of this article suggest that the relationship is under-appreciated in the adult population. Samuel Nurko, MD, and Mark Scott, PhD, describe the association between pediatric functional fecal incontinence and constipation, stool retention, and incomplete evacuation. In adults, they point out, constipation may also be related to pelvic floor dysfunction an...

My Experience at the Pediatric Course - an OT's perspective

Siv Prince — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:08:49 +0100

Last weekend, Pelvic Rehab Report guest-blogger, Erica Vitek MOT, OTR, BCB-PMD, attended H&W's Pediatric Incontience and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction course in Madison, WI. This course was developed and is instructed by Dawn Sandalcidi. Erica had this to say about her experience in the course:

The most recent Herman &a...

Are You Compatible with your Patient?

Holly Tanner — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:12:57 +0100

In the April Physical Therapy Journal, authors ask the question: does the relationship between the patient and the physical therapist impact patient outcome? This relationship, or therapeutic alliance, was measured through use of the Working Alliance Inventory at the second treatment session. The 182 patients included in the reporting were all diagnosed with chronic low back pain, and they completed outcomes before and after 8 weeks of treatment including the Patient-Specific Functional Scale...

Core Rehab without "Going There"

Siv Prince — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:30:18 +0100

In January, H&W faculty member Elizabeth Hampton PT, WCS, BCB-PMD presented at the APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, CA in a presentation sponsored by the Orthopedic Section. The presentation was called “Core Rehab without ‘Going There’: Evidence Supporting Direct and Indirect Evaluation and Treatment of PFM Dysfunction.”

In her talk, Elizabeth discussed contributing factors to pelvic health and continence, including muscular, fascial, neural, biomechanical ...

Neobladder and Pelvic Rehab

Holly Tanner — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 04:04:15 +0100

Among the patients who we serve, the diagnosis of orthotopic neobladder, or "neobladder" can leave the pelvic rehab therapist wondering about the procedure itself as well as the best course of therapy. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the surgical diversion, the risks and benefits, and the common urinary dysfunctions can assist in development of the plan of care. The neobladder surgery is one option for patients who must have the bladder removed, often in the event of bl...

Pelvic Floor Muscles: To Strengthen or Not to Strengthen?

Holly Tanner — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:44:52 +0100

Pelvic Floor Muscles: To Strengthen or Not to Strengthen?

If that is the question, then who should provide the answer? As I was reading yet another article about how women should strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to have a better orgasm, I can't help but think about the unfortunate women for whom this is a bad idea. Yes, having healthy awareness of and strength in the pelvic floor muscles is important for healthy sexual function, but healthy muscles and building of awareness is...

Meet the Instructor of our Brand New Bowel Dysfunction course!

Siv Prince — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:06:02 +0100

In April of this year, H&W is thrilled to be offering a brand new course on Bowel Pathology and Function. Our Pelvic Rehab Report blogger interviewed the instructor Lila Abbate, PT, DPT, MS, OCS about her new course.

1. What can you tell us about this continuing education course...

Yoga and the Pelvic Floor

Holly Tanner — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:53:20 +0100

I would estimate that a large majority of pelvic rehabilitation providers are current or past students of yoga- some of you may even be experienced or new yoga teachers. As a yoga student myself (of various teachers and approaches, and a tendency to wish I was more consistent with my own practice) I have often marveled at how old and well-founded so many yogic practices are in relation to the "new" techniques "discovered" by entrepreneurial practitioners in health-related fields. Look at pelv...

Brand New Online Series on Integrative Techniques for the Pelvic Floor and Core!

Siv Prince — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:10:43 +0100

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new series of online courses, Integrative Techniques for Pelvic Floor & Core Function. This three-part series instructs on low-tech, non-invasive techniques to address pelvic floor dysfunction that draw from Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Feldenkrais and conventional rehab therapies, with a goal of guideing clients toward improved health and function. These courses were developed and are instructed by Bill Gallagher, PT, CMT, CYT and Richard Sa...

Care of the Pregnant Patient - my experience at the course

Siv Prince — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:33:10 +0100

Two weekends ago in San Diego, Herman & Wallace offered the first course event of our brand new course, Care of the Pregnant Patient. This course is part of a new series on pregnancy and postpartum, written and developed by Herman & Wallace faculty members (as we call them, our "Preg-perts").

Lisa Lahr, DPT attended this course and wrote of her experience:

The course Care of the Pregnant Patient was a wonderfully put together course. The course out...

Prostate Cancer Screening and PSA: Update

Holly Tanner — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 04:56:15 +0100

You may recall that late in 2011, the United States Preventive Services Task Force created significant controversy by recommending against routine PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing. (A blog post from November 2011 covers the topic if you would like to review the recommendations.) The recommendations against use of routine PSA for prostate cancer screening is thought to avoid unnecessary biopsies as well as prevent urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction related to procedures ...

Meet the Instructors of our Brand New Pudendal Neuralgia course!

Siv Prince — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 05:22:15 +0100

In March of this year, H&W is thrilled to be offering a brand new course on Pudendal Neuralgia. Our Pelvic Rehab Report blogger interviewed the two instructors Loretta J. Robertson, PT, MS and Tracy Sher, MPT, CSCS about their course.

1. What can you tell us about this continuing education course that is not mentioned in ...

Medical Therapeutic Yoga - Part B now Available!

Siv Prince — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:18:21 +0100

We are thrilled to announce that Part B of our brand new online course series, Medical Therapeutic Yoga is now available!

This course was written and is instructed by Ginger Garner, MPT, ATC and presents an evidence- based method for using yoga as medicine in rehabilitation and wellness. Part B is intended as a co...

Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS)

Holly Tanner — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 06:28:35 +0100

Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery

What is it?

Female surgeries for modifying the genitalia are completed for many reasons of aesthetics or for reconstruction purposes. These surgeries or procedures may include:

Labioplasty: the reduction or augmentation (injection) of the labia minora or labia majora

Vaginal tightening procedure: aka "vaginal rejuvination" this involves narrowing the lower third of the vagina to tighten the canal for improved sensation during interco...

Childhood Abuse and Pregnancy

Holly Tanner — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 06:47:27 +0100

Mirjam Lukasse of the University of Tromso in Norway and colleagues have completed interesting and relevant research among women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and pregnancy. In a longitudinal cohort study based on data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, nearly 5000 women were questioned about childhood abuse and feelings about pregnancy. Between 18 and 30 weeks of gestation and again 6 months postpartum, subjects were sent questionnaires to assess associations betwee...

Faculty Presentations at Upcoming Conferences!

Siv Prince — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:52:53 +0100

In addition to all the great things our faculty will be up to at this year's APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) - read THIS ENTRY of Pelvic Rehab Report for an update on the happenings in San Diego - H&W faculty members Bill Gallagher and Richard Sabel will be presenting at two upcoming conferences.

On April 24th, Bill and Richard will present "Explore the Pelvic Floor Plus More: The Foundation of Health in the Body" at the American Occupational Therapy Aasso...

New Course on Medical Therapeutic Yoga!

Siv Prince — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:50:29 +0100

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Part A of our brand new online course series, Medical Therapeutic Yoga!

This course was written and is instructed by Ginger Garner, MPT, ATC and presents an evidence- based method for using yoga as medicine in rehabilitation and wellness. Ginger has been lecturing ...

Herman & Wallace at CSM!

Holly Tanner — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:06:19 +0100

Have you packed your bags for Combined Sections Meeting? This year, many faces of the Pelvic Rehab Institute faculty and friends will be present and will be sharing thoughts, information, and cool products. If you would like to freshen your tech skills (or learn some completely new ones) check out the social media and technology presentation by Tracy Sher and Sandy Hilton. They will be training participants in how to gather information from Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, RSS feeds, in how ...

Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain: In the News

Holly Tanner — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 06:03:39 +0100

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) has received increased interest in the news and in the research community in the past few years. PPGP can cause significant movement dysfunction both during and after pregnancy, and therapists can play a valuable role in prevention, intervention and rehabilitation. In the news lately are several recent studies that I will summarize and for which I have provided abstract links below.

Is pelvic girdle pain predictable? ...

The Value of Biofeedback: Perceived or Real?

Holly Tanner — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:41:12 +0100

A recent Cochrane summary about feedback and biofeedback for urinary incontinence has been published that supports patient perception of benefit for symptoms. The summary was first published on-line in July of 2011. 24 trials were included in this review, and the authors compared research of pelvic floor muscle training with studies that included feedback or biofeedback to augment the pelvic floor muscle training. Women who received biofeedback in their rehabilitation for urinary incontinence...