There are faculty members who teach courses, and then there are faculty members who help define the standard of education in an entire specialty. Pamela A. Downey, PT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, PRPC, is the latter. A Senior Faculty member at Herman & Wallace since 2006, Dr. Downey has spent nearly two decades shaping how clinicians learn to assess and treat pelvic floor dysfunction, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

We are proud to spotlight one of the longest-serving and most accomplished educators in our institute.

A Clinician and Educator Since 1991

Dr. Downey has been a physical therapist for more than 30 years. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (WCS), Board-Certified in Biofeedback for Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction (BCB-PMD), and a Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner (PRPC). She brings more than 25 years of focused experience treating individuals with pelvic pain, including neuralgias of the lumbosacral plexus, voiding and sexual dysfunction, pregnancy-related and postpartum musculoskeletal dysfunction, diastasis recti, sacroiliac joint pain, and dyspareunia.

She is the owner of Partnership in Therapy, a private practice in Coral Gables, Florida, where she provides personalized one-on-one care to patients of all genders, from adolescents to octogenarians. Her mission is to educate and integrate healthy lifestyles for patients on the road to wellness.

From Sarah Lawrence to the University of Miami

Dr. Downey earned her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and her Master of Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at both the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Her academic career runs alongside her clinical and continuing education work. She is actively involved in the Academy of Pelvic Health of the American Physical Therapy Association, where she has served as Coordinator of Research Submissions for annual meetings and as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Women’s Health.

Pilates as a Clinical Tool

One of the hallmarks of Dr. Downey’s practice is her integration of Pilates therapeutic movement into pelvic health rehabilitation. A certified Polestar Pilates Educator since 2000, she has spent more than two decades using Pilates and therapeutic exercise interventions specifically designed for patients with prenatal and postnatal conditions, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, and lumbo-pelvic pain.

Her Herman & Wallace course, Pilates Therapeutic Exercise for Pelvic Health, introduces clinicians to the Pilates Method with an emphasis on clinical application and patient empowerment. The course covers the original 34 mat exercises and select Reformer activities, giving clinicians tools to move patients beyond passive treatment and into active, neuromuscular integration. For Dr. Downey, the philosophy is simple: patients who understand and feel how their muscles work become active participants in their own healing.

A Published Author and International Speaker

Dr. Downey has lectured nationally and internationally at professional conferences and has authored multiple published research articles. She is the author of a book chapter on chronic pelvic pain in the medical text Women’s Health in Physical Therapy, contributing to the academic body of knowledge that informs how clinicians approach complex pelvic pain cases.

Her expertise is sought beyond the continuing education classroom. Most recently, Dr. Downey was invited to present at a virtual pop-up session co-hosted by the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) and the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health. Her presentation, “What About Ken? Sexual Dysfunction and Pain in Younger Men,” addressed the musculoskeletal side of sexual pain and dysfunction in younger males and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through collaborative, multidisciplinary care. It is a topic that remains underrepresented in pelvic health education, and Dr. Downey’s willingness to bring it to the forefront reflects her commitment to advancing the field for all patient populations.

Senior Faculty at Herman & Wallace

Dr. Downey has been teaching with Herman & Wallace since 2006, making her one of the institute’s longest-serving faculty members. She teaches across the Pelvic Floor Series as well as her own Pilates course, bringing a combination of clinical depth, movement expertise, and patient-centered philosophy to every course she leads.

Her role as Senior Faculty reflects not just longevity, but the sustained impact she has had on the quality and direction of pelvic health education at Herman & Wallace. Clinicians who train under Dr. Downey consistently describe her as thorough, passionate, and deeply invested in helping them translate what they learn in the classroom into meaningful results for their patients.

About Dr. Downey

Pamela A. Downey, PT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, PRPC (she/her) is a Board-Certified Specialist in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, Board-Certified in Biofeedback for Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction, and a Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. She is the owner of Partnership in Therapy in Coral Gables, Florida, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Nova Southeastern University. A Polestar Pilates Educator since 2000, she has more than 25 years of experience treating pelvic pain, voiding and sexual dysfunction, and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions. She has been Senior Faculty at Herman & Wallace since 2006 and is the author of a book chapter on chronic pelvic pain in Women’s Health in Physical Therapy.

Learn From Dr. Downey

Whether you are looking to build your foundation in pelvic health or integrate Pilates into your clinical practice, Dr. Downey’s courses offer the depth, clinical precision, and hands-on learning that define the Herman & Wallace experience.

May 30-31, 2026: Pilates Therapeutic Exercise for Pelvic Health 

Pelvic Floor Series (Levels 1, 2A, and 2B)

Multiple dates and locations available | Satellite, In-Person, and Self-Hosted formats

Your patients deserve comprehensive care, and you deserve the knowledge to deliver it. View upcoming course dates and register at hermanwallace.com. Courses fill quickly, so register early to secure your spot.

Half the world's population experiences a menstrual cycle, yet social stigma, clinical discomfort, and gaps in provider training often leave patients without the information, tools, or permission they need to manage it well. Pelvic rehab clinicians frequently find themselves on the receiving end of questions no one else has been willing to answer. What is a normal period? Why does my cycle affect my pelvic floor symptoms so much? What products actually work, and how do I choose the right one? Is this amount of pain something I should just live with?

These are the questions Nicholas Gaffga, MD, MPH, FAAFP and Amy Meehan, PT, DPT, MTC set out to address when they built the Herman & Wallace remote course Menstruation and Pelvic Health. The course is designed for pelvic rehab providers who want to go beyond treating isolated symptoms and instead help patients reshape the menstrual experience itself through non-hormonal, non-prescription, and non-surgical interventions.

What the Course Covers

The curriculum is organized into four parts. Part 1, Cultural Aspects of the Menstrual Experience, examines how historical and cultural narratives shape the way menstruation is discussed, clinically managed, and personally experienced. Part 2, Menstrual Structures and Processes, covers the hormones, anatomy, and physiology of the cycle, including the HPO axis and the organs involved in preparing the uterus throughout each phase. Part 3, Menstrual Symptoms and Disorders, addresses dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding, off-cycle spotting, emotional concerns, and vaginal discharge, along with common disorders including premenstrual disorders, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, and fibroids. Part 4, Menstrual Interventions, focuses on holistic strategies clinicians can introduce in practice today.

The second edition of the course includes new interviews with expert pelvic floor practitioners Ramona Horton, Jenna Ross, and Beth Kemper, whose clinical experience adds depth to the discussion of how the menstrual cycle intersects with pelvic floor dysfunction across the lifespan. Provocative topics run throughout, including chronobiology, interoception, menstrual mindfulness, menstrual molimina, cultural milestones, prostaglandins and period symptoms, and what a normal period actually looks like.

Why It Matters for Pelvic Rehab

In the live remote session, Dr. Meehan demonstrates yoga and stretch poses tailored to different phases of the cycle, along with a detailed walkthrough of menstrual products from liners and tampons to cups, discs, period underwear, overnightwear, activewear, and swimwear. Participants learn to build a flow management plan with patients, identify when to refer for physician evaluation, and help patients develop an individual action plan to reduce negative symptoms and work with the natural rhythms of their cycle.

Past participants describe the course as one that changes how they practice. Clinicians leave with a deeper understanding of their patients' experience, a broader set of tools to offer in the clinic, and language that makes a historically taboo topic feel approachable in the treatment room.

Upcoming Dates

The next live remote session of Menstruation and Pelvic Health is May 9, 2026. Additional dates are offered throughout the year for clinicians who want to schedule the course alongside their summer and fall continuing education plans.

Register for the Course

Menstruation and Pelvic Health

Next Session: May 9, 2026

Remote Course via Zoom

Additional dates available throughout 2026

Register here: https://hermanwallace.com/continuing-education-courses/menstruation-and-pelvic-health

A new peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy expands the evidence base for non-surgical, patient-centered care.

By Rachna Mehta, PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200

Herman & Wallace Faculty Member  

We are thrilled to share exciting news from Herman & Wallace faculty member Rachna Mehta, PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200. Rachna has co-authored a new case report published in the Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, alongside her colleague Becky Parr, PT, DPT, DHSc, OCS, Cert. DN, CAPP-OB.

NEW PUBLICATION

Conservative Management of Rectal Prolapse: An Integrative Physical Therapy Approach

Rachna Mehta, PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200 & Becky Parr, PT, DPT, DHSc, OCS, Cert. DN, CAPP-OB

Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, January 2026

Read the Publication →

This case report highlights a conservative, integrative physical therapy approach to managing rectal prolapse using acupressure combined with traditional pelvic floor rehabilitation. Severe rectal prolapse is a condition frequently viewed as primarily surgical in nature, often leaving older adults or those who are not ideal surgical candidates with limited options.

“This work helps expand the evidence for non-surgical, patient-centered options, particularly for older adults or those who are not ideal surgical candidates.”

— Rachna Mehta

By documenting this integrative case, Rachna and her co-author have contributed meaningfully to the growing body of evidence supporting complementary and conservative approaches within pelvic health physical therapy. This publication reflects the kind of whole-person, evidence-informed care that Rachna has championed throughout her career.

This publication is a natural extension of Rachna’s clinical expertise and her ongoing work bridging Traditional Chinese Medicine principles including acupressure and meridian theory with contemporary pelvic floor rehabilitation. Her Herman & Wallace course, Acupressure for Optimal Pelvic Health, has introduced countless clinicians to this integrative framework.

About the Author

Rachna Mehta, PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200

Herman & Wallace Faculty Member  ·  Columbia University, DPT  ·  Board-Certified in Orthopedics  ·  Certified Pelvic Rehab Practitioner  ·  Registered Yoga Teacher

Rachna graduated from Columbia University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and has spent over 15 years practicing in outpatient hospital and private practice settings with a dual focus on orthopedics and pelvic health. She was instrumental in founding one of the first Women’s Health Programs in an outpatient orthopedic clinic setting in Mercer County, New Jersey in 2009. Rachna also owns TeachPhysio, a PT education and management consulting company. Her clinical approach blends traditional physical therapy with holistic practices that address the whole person physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Learn from Rachna

Explore Rachna’s course Acupressure for Optimal Pelvic Health and bring integrative acupressure into your pelvic health practice.

View Rachna’s Courses at Herman & Wallace →

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging is a clinical tool that can change the way you practice. I have often shared with other clinicians how much the use of ultrasound imaging has influenced how I approach patients with chronic back or sacroiliac joint pain. Using ultrasound imaging allows for a way to assess the deeper core muscles, which may be more difficult to palpate on some individuals. Being able to view the activation in these muscles can inform the therapist whether the patient is properly activating their core or relying on a less ideal strategy.

Seeing the Core Muscles That Are Hard to Reach

One of the most valuable things about rehabilitative ultrasound imaging in pelvic health is what it shows us about the deeper core muscles. These are muscles that conventional palpation simply cannot reach reliably in every patient. With ultrasound imaging, we can observe in real time whether a patient is using a proper activation strategy or compensating in a way that looks adequate on the surface but is not providing the stability they need.

That kind of information changes treatment. It gives both the clinician and the patient something concrete to work with, and it often unlocks progress that had stalled.

A Game Changer for Incontinence and Prolapse

The use of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging has also been a game changer in treating incontinence and prolapse patients. Not only does it enable me to view activation in the pelvic floor, but also the supportive function of the pelvic floor. For some patients, that supportive function is exactly what has been missing. Being able to show them what is happening in their own body, in real time, is often what finally moves treatment forward.

When Ultrasound Made All the Difference: A Patient Story

I recently began working with a patient who is a semi-professional athlete. She was 14 months postpartum and seeking care for prolapse symptoms and discomfort. This patient understood the importance of the pelvic floor and had sought out pelvic floor rehab immediately following delivery. She was approved to return to exercise and at the sixth minute of activity felt a prolapse occur.

After returning and continuing with pelvic health therapy, she still was not seeing progress with respect to her symptoms. There was real pressure mounting because she had qualified for an international level event in her sport that was six months away.

When I evaluated her, I identified that she was able to activate her pelvic floor while in a supine position, but not when standing or during a motor task. Using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging allowed her to visualize what it felt like to do a proper contraction while in standing. This was transformative. It helped her learn to engage her pelvic floor in a weight bearing position, which improved the supportive function of the pelvic floor and allowed her to begin engaging it during her sports activity.

It did take time and a lot of practice. But the addition of ultrasound imaging was what made the difference between her earlier attempts at pelvic rehab and this course of treatment.

About the Instructor: Allison Ariail, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, BCB-PMD, PRPC

Allison Ariail, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, BCB-PMD, PRPC is the creator of the Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging courses at Herman & Wallace and currently serves as Director of Education. A physical therapist since 1999, Allison holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Boston University. She is board certified by the Lymphology Association of North America (2011), board certified in Biofeedback Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction (2012), and earned her Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification in 2014. She is a published researcher, a co-author in Healing in Urology, and a nationally recognized lecturer on ultrasound imaging, lymphedema, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Allison practices at Inspire Physical Therapy and Wellness in the Denver metro area, treating men, women, and children across a wide range of pelvic health conditions.

Join Us in Edmond, Oklahoma: April 17 to 19, 2026

This three-day course covers transabdominal viewing of the pelvic floor, abdominal wall, and spinal muscles as well as transperineal imaging that allows us to view the supportive function of the pelvic floor. Topics include:

• Real-time imaging of the transverse abdominals, rectus abdominis, deep multifidus, levator ani, bladder, bladder neck, urethra, and vagina
• Transabdominal and transperineal viewing methods
• Hands-on lab time with ultrasound machines provided by course sponsors
• Clinical application for lumbopelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary incontinence

You will love learning to use this clinical tool and seeing the changes it makes for your patients. Register for Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Topics in Edmond, OK at hermanwallace.com.