Patient Portal

FAQ

What Common Conditions Do We Treat?
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
What pelvic floor-related conditions do you treat?
What should I expect during my Session?
How many sessions will it take to see results?
What should I wear to my session?
  • Sprains/strains
  • Muscle spasms
  • Weakness or loss of range of motion
  • Fractures
  • Back pain
  • Scoliosis
  • Disc injuries
  • Stenosis
  • Neck pain
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder pain
  • Elbow /wrist pain
  • Hip pain
  • SI pain
  • Chronic pain/fibromyalgia
  • Knee pain/Ankle pain/Heel pain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Balance disorders
  • Pre/post-surgical rehabilitation
  • Work-related injuries
  • Sport-related injuries

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a branch of physical therapy focused on treating a variety of health issues related to the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis that support our organs and help control bladder and bowel function.  Dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to

  • leakage with coughing, sneezing, running, jumping OR with a severe sense of urgency
  • Increased urge to urinate and/or increased frequency of urination
  • Pain with sexual activity or pelvic examinations
  • Feelings of the pelvic floor “falling out”
  • Bowel dysfunction / constipation
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Tailbone pain, rectal/anal pain
  • Unresolved back, hip, groin or SI pain
Although pelvic floor muscle dysfunction if often thought of a female issue, men often face this issue as well.  We at Inspire Physical Therapy and Wellness treat both female and male pelvic floor patients with the following conditions:
 

Female Pelvic Floor:

  • Pregnancy and Post-Partum
  • Diastasis Recti (split abs)
  • Incontinence (Urinary and Fecal)
  • Urinary Frequency and Urgency
  • Pain with Intercourse
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Prolapse
  • Vulvodynia, Vulvar Vestibulitis, Vaginismus Endometriosis
  • Pudendal Neuralgia, Levator Ani Syndrome
  • Coccyx Pain
  • Constipation, Anal Fissures
  • Abdominal Pain, Scar Tissue (C-Section and Other)
  • Pelvic Tension / Pain
  • Hysterectomy

Male Pelvic Floor:

  • Pre- and Post Prostatectomy
  • Pelvic and Bladder Pain
  • Urinary Frequency and Urgency
  • Urinary or Fecal Incontinence
  • Prostatitis
  • Pain with Urination or Ejaculation
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Testicular or Penile Pain
  • Coccyx Pain
  • Constipation
Our examinations are one-hour in length and start with a review of your medical history, history of your present condition, and thorough musculoskeletal assessment as it often plays a role in pelvic floor dysfunction.  We look at posture, breathing, and pelvic alignment.  If you are a pelvic floor patient, with consent, we will proceed with an external and internal vaginal and/or rectal assessment of the pelvic floor muscles . During this part of the exam we are looking for strength, endurance, tension, trigger points, and coordination of these muscles.  We inform you of everything we will be doing prior to do so and will only proceed at the pace you are comfortable with .  Due to the sensitive nature of this area we take a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to making this process as comfortable as possible for you.  Together we will develop a treatment plan designed specifically for your needs and goals.  Treatment sessions may include myofascial and trigger point release, visceral mobilization, biofeedback, e-stimulation, and Pilates-based rehabilitation.  Education on lifestyle and behavioral strategies will also be given to compliment your therapy.

The number of session required will depend on the chronicity and severity of your condition.  A typical course of pelvic floor therapy will usually run for 5-8 sessions with a patient coming in 1x/week for treatment.  This is also the case for orthopedic physical therapy, the severity of your injury will determine the length of your treatment plan. Some patients may require less therapy and some may require more.  After your initial evaluation, you and your therapist will discuss a treatment plan which will include frequency and the anticipated number of visits.

Please come dressed in comfortable clothing allowing for easy viewing of the injured area. For instance, if we are evaluating your knee, please come with a pair of shorts. If we will be examining your shoulder or neck, ladies please come with a sports bra or a camisole to allow exposure of the area.

Curewave Laser Therapy FAQ

What is the CureWave Laser System?

The CureWave Laser System is a new, non invasive laser therapy that promotes healing and treats acute and chronic pain. This laser uses proprietary technology to deliver invisible infrared energy to injured and inflamed soft tissue, as well as, low peak absorption for Melanin, Hemoglobin and Oxyhemoglobin allowing the light therapy to safely penetrate deeper into the tissue. Penetrating deeper into the tissue, repairs more cells further in the tissue and treats the entire area that is damaged or inflamed.

Who Benefits from CureWave Laser treatments?

The CureWave Laser System can benefit people from all walks of life, from the young athlete who suffers from an acute injury to elderly patients with chronic pain.

What to expect from a session?

Your first laser session will include a 30-minute evaluation with a PT. The PT will then collaborate with your laser tech to ensure we treat the areas with the greatest impact on your pain or limitations.

Laser treatments can last from 15 to 60 minutes. The initial evaluation with your PT will determine the length of the session needed.

Your first three treatments should be done consecutively in a three-day window.
Your PT and laser tech will collaborate to determine the best course of action for maintenance treatments if need and communicate those options to you.

Does the laser hurt?

The CureWave laser treatments are very comfortable for the patient. Once the patient has completed the diagnostic evaluation with their PT, the patient will relax on the treatment surface. As the treatment begins the patient will experience a warm feeling in the treated area. The provider will continually monitor and check the surface of the treated area, assuring the patient is kept in a comfortable heat range in the Dermis. Since damaged cells attract more laser energy, the area where the condition is the worst often heats up quicker than the surrounding tissue. The treatment is described by many as relaxing with a sense of tingling in the treatment area.

What are the major effects of the system?

Stimulates Cell Growth
The CureWave non-invasive laser accelerates cellular reproduction and growth due to increased mitochondrial activity.
Increase Vascular Activity
Induces temporary vasodilation increasing blood flow and oxygen to damaged tissue areas.
Anti-inflammatory action
reduces swelling caused by bruising and or inflammation of joints providing enhanced muscle recovery and improved joint mobility.
Increase of metabolic activity
Increases higher outputs of enzymes and oxygen loads for newly stimulated cells. With an increase of ATP production by the mitochondria it allows the cell to heal and repair itself at a much faster rate. The cell uses this new found energy for a variety of key biological processes.
Enhanced Nerve Function
The CureWaves non-invasive laser speeds the process of nerve healing and the ability to help repair nerve damage. Neurotransmission is facilitated due to increased levels of acetylcholine and serotonin.
 Quicker Wound Healing
The CureWaves non-invasive laser stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
 Reduce Scar Tissue
The CureWaves non-invasive laser reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, burns, post surgery, strains or sprains. On older scars the laser can also be used to help damaged cells form a more natural growth pattern and soften the damaged tissue areas.
 Enhances the Rehabilitation Process
The CureWaves non-invasive laser is particularly effective as a tool in the early and ongoing stages of rehabilitation from both injury or surgery, by providing light energy to the damaged cells needing vital stimulation.
 Reduces Pain
The CureWaves non-invasive laser is particularly effective in reducing pain by causing the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, and reducing reliance and/or the level of other pain medications.
Fights Bacterial Infection
Appears to be antiviral, antifungal, and antiherpetic especially with the treatment of areas that previously required topical medications/bandages during the recovery process