Posts Tagged ‘Physical Therapy’

A Gathering

{ May 24, 2013 @ 1:19 pm } · { The Incontinence Issue }
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About a month ago, I was asked to facilitate a support group specifically geared towards those suffering with bowel disorders.  This group is the first of its kind in my area and I am humbled and honored that I was chosen to lead this gathering of individuals with similar issues.  Honestly, even with the outreach to individuals telling them about this group, I was hesitant to think that we may have a large turnout to this type of meeting.  It is an unfortunate truth that many individuals afflicted with bowel disorders remain silent…not because they necessarily want to, but more because society stigmatizes the ability to talk freely about issues such as these.

With great pride, I am pleased to announce that between 15 and 20 individuals showed at the first meeting.  Brave individuals who summoned the courage to share their stories, listen with an open heart and mind to others, and work with me to shape future gatherings into meetings that are both productive and encouraging.  I am truly blessed that I have been given the opportunity to facilitate these meetings.  I am excited about the possibilities of shattering societal stigma, beginning with the small group dynamic, and spreading out into the general public by raising awareness of these very personal issues.

Thanks for Reading,

Lauren

Boo! (hoo)

{ October 31, 2012 @ 2:08 pm } · { The Purpose }
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Happy Halloween! Watch out for ghosts, goblins, witches, pirates, and split pelvis’? This morning I found myself back in physical therapy, with the same wonderful therapist that helped me through all of my incontinence issues and sacroiliac pain post delivery of my now 4 1/2 year old daughter.  I found myself sitting in the same chairs, in the same office, waiting for an explanation and hoping for relief from the near constant pain radiating from my pelvis and down my legs.  It didn’t take long to get the diagnosis, symphysis pubic dysfunction.  Or, in layman’s terms, a pelvis that feels split in the middle resulting in feelings of constant pressure and pain radiating down the legs and around the groin area.  Once again, a diagnosis of something that very few people talk about, which causes potential delays in diagnosis and treatment.  Luckily, I have only been experiencing symptoms for about a week.  However, when I originally went to my OBGYN’s office, the mistaken diagnosis of round ligament pain was the only explanation.  It was not until I pushed for more answers that symphysis pubic dysfunction, SPD, came out as the “official” diagnosis by way of my physical therapist.  My message, as always, if something does not feel right, don’t settle.  Keep pushing for the right diagnosis, so that you can be on the way to more effective treatment and recovery.  SPD is something that won’t go away until (hopefully) post delivery and post breastfeeding.  However, it is something that can be managed with less pain than if left untreated.  For now, I will leave you in the spirit of the day of Halloween and say BOO (hoo)!

Thanks for reading,

Lauren

Physical Therapy

{ August 24, 2011 @ 5:19 pm } · { The Treatments }
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So, today I was “discharged” from Physical Therapy.  I have been in one form of physical therapy or another for a little over 3 years.  I have seen 2 very competent physical therapists with very different styles.  I have learned that in physical therapy, the sphincter muscle is treated just like any other muscle with an issue, and a great therapist can treat it as such.  I have done vaginal probe biofeedback, rectal probe biofeedback, ultrasound, scar reduction therapy, pressure point therapy, and too many keegals to count!  I know how many tiles are on the ceiling at my PT’s office because I have counted them as I try to zone out the pain I feel when stretching something that does not want to be stretched.  I have learned coping mechanisms and key exercises to help regain some of my bowel continence function.

I was discharged today because my PT determined, with my support, that the recent INTERSTIM medical intervention I underwent helped my muscle tone by increasing sacral nerve support.  I could squeeze her finger  with more pressure and with longer duration than I have ever done before.  I get to go to PT on an “as needed” basis.  This is such a relief.  What will I do with all of this extra time on my hands, now that I don’t need to go to PT on a regular basis?  More keegals, of course!

Thanks for Reading,

Lauren