INTRODUCTION:
“Why am I in so much pain all of the time? Why can’t my primary care doctor and OBGY/N provider find anything wrong with me? There has to be another answer somewhere!”
After giving birth to my son, my pelvis felt like it was going to break at any moment and all internal organs would fall right out of my body. Now, as a first time mom, I thought this was a normal feeling to have after delivery. A few years after that, I no longer believed this feeling was normal anymore. After getting checked out by my OBGY/N, I was surprised to find out that everything looked with my uterus.
So after a couple of google searches, I came across a few site talking about pelvic floor pain. When I was pregnant, I remember having issues with round ligament pain and intense pain in my pelvis. Many articles recommended physical therapy to assist with the healing process. So, I was quickly able to find a physical therapy business in my area.
WHAT IS PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY?
According to fyzical.com, pelvic floor physical therapy is a treatment that uses the principles of physical therapy to provided a structured effective and safe reconditioning of the pelvic floor muscles. The goal of treatment is to alleviate pains, weakness, and dysfunction in the muscles.
During pregnancy, and postpartum period, the body can experience many different changes, the good and the bad. It just happened to take me a couple of years later to discovery this new plan of action.
Thankfully, I was able to find a great company called CORE STRONG PHYSICAL THERAPY, located in Powell, OH. I was easily able to schedule the insial evaluation 90 minute session quickly after my free 15 minute phone consultation. Dr. Allison Ingley, PT, DPT, the provider of this company, is so amazingly passionate about her profession. She takes time to make sure you are completely comfortable throughout each step of the process. This made me feel confident that I had made the right choice.
FIRST EVALUATION APPOINTMENT:
Mid August of 2022, I was ready for my first session of physical therapy. I was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect but as soon as I entered Dr. Allison’s office, she was so warm and welcoming, it was like I already knew her.
Allison really took her time to asks all the questions about my current pelvic floor issues and those during my first pregnancy. Detailed notes are taken during this time to track my progress moving forward. She also explained how the external and internal exam would take place that day and even utilizing a modal pelvis. This was to show me the pelvic floor muscle itself, and how it can be a major source of my current pain.Consent and the constant reassurance from Allison, is major priority, during and after the exam. She will asks, “Are you okay if we move forward?” And this statement was most reassuring to me at this most vulnerable time.
So while laying on the exam table, I am covered with a hospital gown, naked from the waist down. To pinpoint the source of my pain, the exam will consist of applied pressure on my external and internal vaginal area. This process will be able to help me and Allison figure out, what section of the pelvic floor muscle is the major cause of my pain. After finding those pinpoints, Allison is able to show me at home exercises to relax that section of the muscle.
Once the exam is done, I am able to get dressed and will return to Allison’s desk to discuss everything and to create a recovery plan to manage my pelvic pain at home. Allison advised the we should preschedule weekly one hour follow up sessions and we will continue to track my healing process. I felt really good to have a plan in place for myself and time devoted to my own healing because I had been in a lot of pain for a long time.
FINIAL THOUGHTS:
I left my first evolution appointment with Dr.Allison at Core Therapy, feeling empowered that I was beginning to take charge of my life and not just trying to normalize my pains. An alternative pain management program can be scary yet exciting all at once. But I am so happy I decided to take the chance at trying something different. Also, I understand this might not be covered by all insurances and out of pocket costs can be a major concern, but there are so many different resources out there and it doesn’t hurt to just take a look. It might have taken a while to realize I am worthy of being pain free, but later is always better than never.
