The benefits of physical therapy following breast cancer are often overlooked and underutilized. Benefits include pain reduction, range of motion and strength recovery, swelling/ edema control, and reduced risk for cancer reoccurrence. Treatments include gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, body mechanics training, manual therapy including fascial release, massage, and trigger point dry needling. Additionally, at HOPE Physical Therapy and Wellness…

As a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor disorders, I hear about urinary and bowel leakage a lot.  What still surprises me are the number of athletes, often runners and Cross Fitters, who have trouble with incontinence while exercising.  This is usually due to a dysfunctional pelvic floor, and at times core weakness. Yes, even the strongest, toughest athletes…

As we reach the end of cold and flu season, many of my recent patients are seeking therapy because they noticed bladder leaking while they were ill.  Coughing and sneezing increase pressure in the abdomen, which transfers force on to the bladder and may cause leaking if pelvic floor muscles are weak.  I appreciate this opportunity to tell patients that…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and rightly so since millions of women and their families are affected by cancer.  A staggering 1 in 8 women will develop this often-life-threatening condition at some point in their lives. The good news is that we are seeing survival rates steadily improve, as well as learning more and more about disease prevention. …

What in the world is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?  You may ask this if you are not familiar with the often disabling bladder condition affecting up to 12% of women.  Symptoms of IC include a feeling of pain or pressure in the bladder area (whether the bladder is full or not), burning or discomfort in the urinary tract that is not…