Debra Goldman - Featured Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner

In our weekly feature section, Pelvic Rehab Report is proud to present this interview with newly certified practitioner Debra Goldman P.T., M.A. PRPC

Describe your clinical practice:

My clinical practice includes men and women with pelvic pain, nerve entrapments, incontinence, sexual dysfunction and much more. It’s dedicated to helping men and women holistically restore their bodies’ ability to move and function without pain. My motto is, recover, restore, move forward. In other words, don’t be a lifelong patient. The whole body approach I use helps me to determine if their pelvic floor dysfunction is related to a structural problem in the back, hips or the way they exercise, just to name a few. I do a thorough examination of the spine, hips and pelvis and pelvic floor to assess joint and soft tissue restrictions, specific weaknesses and faulty movement patterns. My treatments integrate manual therapy, specific exercise and mind-body retraining.

How did you get involved in the pelvic rehabilitation field?

After many years in treating patients in sports medicine/ orthopedic settings in NYC, I opened a practice in NYC’s only freestanding, midwifery run childbirth center. I saw many of the pregnant and post-partum clients, including the midwives. Treating their back and pelvic pain, I began to recognize that I was missing a critical part of the body, which was the pelvic floor. But It was a year later after moving to Montclair, NJ that I was contacted by a urogynecologist starting his practice who encouraged me to become a pelvic floor therapist. I signed up for Pelvic Floor Level 1 and was hooked.

If you could get a message out to physical therapists about pelvic rehabilitation what would it be?

It’s really time to get over any embarrassment in screening a patient for pelvic floor dysfunction. A simple questionnaire and a follow up chat can go a long way in helping therapists identify patients who might need to be referred to a pelvic health practitioner. A basic course on bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction can really help give an orthopedic therapist a great overview and understanding.

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

I have to give credit again to PF 1, because it’s really the foundation for everything that follows. I also had the opportunity to TA a few entry level classes and help new therapists start their process. I love Ramona Horton’s courses and recently repeated level 2 again. I am a lifelong learner and have been involved in studying visceral mobilization with her and others. But without my friend and “male” mentor, Stacey Futterman, I’d be lost. Her classes are outstanding and she has really helped me professionally from very early on.

What do you find is the most useful resource for your practice?

Having a community of colleagues with Herman& Wallace and elsewhere, going to conferences and continuing to study as much as I can is a great resource. But the patients themselves and their stories are the heart of my practice. I learn so much from them. Working with each person is often an opportunity for me to be a better listener, a more skillful evaluator and develop even more delicacy in my treatment approaches.

What motivated you to earn PRPC?

Throughout the years, Holly and Kathe talked about a certificate so when it came to pass, I knew I wanted to do it. Like so many I have worked really hard to achieve the level of competence in this field that I have, so I wanted to be first in line!

I also feel it gives me a special recognition that I am truly a specialist in my field.

What makes you the most proud to have earned PRPC?

For myself, that I was able to put so much into this study over the course of many years and then distinguish myself with this recognition.

I am very proud when my patients see that certificate and ask me what it means.

Learn more about Debra Goldman P.T., M.A. 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.