Pelvic PT
Did you know that Pelvic PT’s do more than work with the just the pelvic floor? I took my first pelvic floor course as a fitness professional in 2004. At that level, you learn the basics of pelvic floor exercise. By the time I earned a doctorate and specialized in Pelvic Health, I was surprised to learn the many ways that pelvic physical therapists help their patients!
I spent more than a decade as a pelvic PT in a diverse neighborhood in Chicago, working with people of all gender, racial, ethnic and sexual identities. I’ve been training PTs and OTs nationwide to help resolve the shortage of pelvic rehab specialists. Now located in Charleston, SC, my mission is to make sure that you feel safe, seen, and heard. Only then can we create a plan for how to harness your body’s natural restorative processes so you can feel and function better, living a more meaningful life- one that doesn’t feel so limited by symptoms.
Individualized Pelvic PT
Treatment is always individualized–designed for and with the patient. All people deserve:
- Bladder control
- Bowel control
- Sexual function & wellness
- Autonomy over their body and plan of care: care is trauma-informed and you are informed of your options so that you can make educated choices about your care with support and guidance
In-Person and Virtual Options for Pelvic Health
For too long, people have lived with pelvic health issues thinking nothing could be done, except for surgeries or meds that may come with a new set of problems. My mission is to empower people with tools they can use right away to support pelvic wellness. Knowledge is power, and understanding what is going in in your own body is key!
After a thorough evaluation, I take time to explain factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and what we can target for treatment. I spend 100% of your appointment time 1:1 with no distractions. Between visits I may ask you to track certain variables or check in using a 2-way messaging app so that you get the utmost value out of each session.
You will be learning what kind of support your body needs in order to support optimal function, and how to provide it the conditions it needs to thrive. These are tools that will serve you a lifetime!
If you are in an area where a pelvic specialist is not available, or if you have tried PT without optimal results, please reach out. Further progress is possible with a different approach, even via telehealth.
Integrated Pelvic Floor and Core
The Pelvic Floor is the Floor of the CORE
The pelvic floor does note act alone. It is intimately connected to the abdominals, the intrinsic low back muscles, and the diaphragm.
To effectively work with the pelvic floor, we need to also address the core container and the breath!
Not only is this an integrative and effective approach, it is also non-invasive (doesn’t require direct viewing or palpation of the pelvic floor) and can be a great option for those who prefer to stay external with treatments.
If your pelvic floor/core is tense and the tissues don’t move as well as they should, deep slow breathing practices might be a good place to start. Stimulation of the vagus nerve prepares the nervous system to move into rest, digest, and restore mode. Even if you ultimately need strengthening, it is easier to strengthen muscles that know how to relax and take appropriate rest breaks!
If your pelvic floor is not contracting with enough force or at the right timing with other muscles, then a practice that adds contraction coordinated with breath, intra-abdominal pressure and movement is more appropriate.
After a thorough examination and history, we develop a plan that is as unique as you are in order to meet your needs and optimize results.
Specialized care for:
Bladder Issues: Bladder frequency and pain, urinary leaks, stress or urge urinary incontinence, trouble emptying the bladder, nocturia (waking multiple times at night to use the restroom), post-void dribble, bladder prolapse
Bowel Issues: Constipation, fecal leakage/incontinence, bowel irregularities associated with abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fecal urgency, incomplete evacuation, rectal prolapse, painful abdominal bloating, dyssynergic defecation, pediatric constipation
Abdomino-Pelvic Pain: Tailbone pain, groin & hip pain, interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome, genital pain, pain with sexual activity, vulvodynia, pelvic congestion/venous disease, endometriosis, vaginismus, anismus, pudendal neuralgia, proctalgia fugax, chronic pain, post-cancer treatment pain, post-surgical abdomino-pelvic pain, top or bottom surgery management and scar mobility, pain related to hypermobility spectrum disorders/EDS or dysautonomia/POTS
Pregnancy & Postpartum: Pre-natal wellness and preparation for birth, prenatal yoga for labor prep, managing pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy pain, diastasis recti, pelvic organ prolapse, low back pain, SI joint pain, scar management, and C-section and vaginal recovery of core and pelvic floor strength and confidence
Male Pelvic Concerns: Pain management, chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, pain with sex, hip pain, lower back pain, groin pain, tailbone pain, diastasis recti, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, post-prostatectomy incontinence and sexual health
Sexual Health: Difficulty with arousal or orgasm, pain associated with sexual activity, pain with penetration, perimenopause/menopause symptoms, recovery from trauma associated with sexual abuse or assault
Catherine Lewan, PT, DPT, C-IAYT, ERYT-500
Your health. Your choice. Your care.
📍 In-person in Charleston, SC | Virtual and Telehealth options available
Have questions? Let’s chat! Contact me to see if this is the right fit for you