Erica Mack - Featured Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner

In our weekly feature section, Pelvic Rehab Report is proud to present this interview with newly certified practitioner Erica Mack, PT, PRPC.

How did you get involved in the pelvic rehabilitation field?

I was an athlete experiencing urine leakage with impact as early as high school, but never considered telling anyone about it, feeling embarrassed about it and assuming nothing could be done. Even as a PT, I learned almost nothing about the muscles of the pelvic floor. I remember in gross anatomy class that we simply skimmed over the pelvic floor, being taught we “would never be dealing with those muscles anyway.” I think cultural and social taboos kept me from looking at the pelvic floor as I would any other muscle—with the ability to be weak, tight, or have dysfunctional firing patterns. By the time I had my first child and couldn’t return to running without more bothersome leakage, I knew of pelvic rehabilitation as a specialty and sought out a PT.

What/who inspired you to become involved in pelvic rehabilitation?

Strangely enough, it was my less than satisfying experience with the first several pelvic rehab PT’s I encountered. I needed at pelvic rehab practitioner that had strong teaching skills, an understanding of evidence-based practice, and above all, strong orthopedic skills. I had the good fortune to see a PT (eventually) that had all of those strengths, as well as compassion, empathy, and a continuous quest for knowledge that keeps her at the top of the field. This is what motivated me to seek the PRPC—I wanted to learn as much as I could to best serve my patients.

Describe your clinical practice:

Currently I work at Discovery Physical Therapy in Port Hadlock, WA. I see a mixture of pelvic and general orthopedic patients, with diagnoses including pelvic pain, PF tension myalgia, vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, fecal seepage, fecal incontinence, levator ani syndrome, chronic prostatitis, rectal pain, proctalgia fugax, and more.

What has been your favorite Herman & Wallace Course and why?

Pelvic Floor Function, Treatment, and Dysfunction Level 2A. While the bowels aren’t as “sexy” as a topic to some, I find treatment of patients with bowel dysfunction as some of the most rewarding. Number one, it doesn’t get more functional that this. And number two (I couldn’t resist), it takes a brave person usually with a good sense of humor to seek treatment for this, and I admire that in a patient. Often times, just a few good tools and a bit of new knowledge can really make a difference in people’s lives.

What lesson have you learned from a Herman & Wallace instructor that has stayed with you?

I helped to host the Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Course instructed by Allison Ariail. I learned that I and every PT I know has been over training our patients. The core muscles we are going for (TA, multifidi, pelvic floor) are subtle, and it is easy to over recruit and overshadow these muscles. Less is more, and seeing was believing while using the real time US technology. Although I don’t use US imaging in my daily practice, I got great ideas about how to improve what I am already doing. Allison also shared several ideas about how to add this to my practice in an affordable way.

What advice would you give to physical therapists interested in earning PRPC?

Motivate a study group. My study group was a diverse group of highly skilled practitioners from across the country. We met via conference call once a week. We split up reading of the articles, presented the content to each other, discussed the strengths/weaknesses of the research, and contemplated the clinical implications. Some folks came up with practice quiz questions and we kept each other disciplined and on schedule. While I am really proud to have earned the PRPC, I am most happy for all I learned, becoming more steeped in the research from different perspectives, and the greater depth I have as a therapist.

What is in store for you in the future?

Looking forward to re-certifying 9 years from now.

Learn more about Erica Mack, PT, PRPC at her Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner bio page. You can also learn more about the Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification at www.hermanwallace.com/certification.