Welcome to PelviCore Physical Therapy, PLLC.
PelviCore is an outpatient physical therapy clinic specializing in treatment of pelvic and women's health disorders. Therapy is hands-on and one-on-one during each session. You'll have undivided attention to get you feeling better as soon as possible. PelviCore is owned and operated by Dr. Kathy Pesavento, who designed the facility to provide the most comfortable, serene and therapeutic environment to female patients in the greater Washington, DC Metro area. At PelviCore, healing starts at the CORE!
- to Support the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, colon, etc.) so they don't prolapse or descend out through one of the openings. The pelvic floor muscles have to be strong enough to hold up these organs against gravity when we are upright and the downward pressure from the abdomen when we cough, sneeze, lift, etc.
- to Squeeze around the openings of the urethra and rectum/anus to help in maintaining continence of our urine, stool, or gas. As the pelvic floor muscles contract around the urethra (from where our urine flows out) and our rectum and anus it lends to preventing both urine and stool (and even gas) from escaping unintentionally.
- to help in Sexual appreciation. Similar to the way the pelvic floor muscles close off the urethra and rectum/anus, it also squeezes around the vaginal entrance which typically makes intercourse more enjoyable.
- to Stabilize the joints of the pelvis, low back, and hip, especially when we shift weight from transfer the load from our legs to the pelvis and spine.
- to serve as a Sump Pump to help blood in the veins and fluid in the lymphatic system to be pumped up and out of the pelvis to prevent fluid congestion.
- Incontinence (urinary and fecal)
- Bowel Dysfunctions
- Constipation, Incomplete Evacuation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Diarrhea
- Bladder dysfunctions
- Interstitial cystitis/Painful bladder syndrome
- Overactive bladder
- Urinary Retention
- Endometriosis/ Abdominal Pain
- Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)
- Pregnancy/Postpartum pain & dysfunction including: Diastisis Recti, Biomechanics (during all phases of pregnancy and postpartum for baby lifting technique), Supportive Lifts/Belts, Post-Cesarean (c-section) pain and complications
How can a Physical Therapist help with problems such as incontinence, constipation, or painful sex?
The pelvis not only is home to our bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, but is made up of many different muscles that most of us never even knew we had.
A group of muscles, generally referred to as the "Pelvic Floor," is a hammock or bowl-shaped series of muscles situated under the pelvic organs and in and around the perineum. These pelvic floor muscles serve 3 primary functions... the 5 S's:
As these are just like any other muscles in your body, the pelvic floor muscles can become weak or, conversely, tight and knotted and thus not function normally. Weakness can cause less of a squeeze around our openings and therefore lead to incontinence or lessened sexual appreciation. On the other hand, increased muscle tension and trigger points ("knots") in the muscles can cause too much of a squeeze around these openings. This can lead to urinary hesitancy (not being able to let go of urine) and retention, constipation or inability to completely empty bowels, and pain with sex or any penetration, such as tampons or gynecological exams.
So, as all physical therapists are experts in musculoskeletal dysfunction in the body, pelvic physical therapists are experts in such muscular dysfunction more in and about the pelvis, back, abdomen, and hips. The premise of our work is the same-- strengthen weak muscles (for example doing Kegels/pelvic floor contractions), and stretch and manually release tight muscles (through exercise and manual therapy)- it's just in a different, more intimate part of the body.
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Levator ani syndrome
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse)
- Vaginismus
- Pudendal nerve entrapment and neuralgia
- Vulvovaginal disease
including: Vulvodynia, Vulvar Vestibulitis, Lichen Sclerosis, Lichen Planus, amongst other diagnoses- Post-operative adhesions, scarring, pain
(post-hysterectomy, oopherectomy, episiotomy, etc.)- Core weakness and instability
- Pelvic, Back, and Sacroiliac Joint pain
- Hip & Groin pain, including Labral tears
- Chronic & Myofascial Pain Syndromes
What is Pelvic Physical Therapy?
Pelvic Physical Therapy is a highly specialized type of physical therapy, which requires extensive post-graduated training. As the name describes, Pelvic Physical Therapists treat musculoskeletal and visceral dysfunctions in and around the pelvis. This includes treatment for pain or dysfunction of the bladder, bowel, reproductive organs, perineal (or genital) area, and any muscular, tendinous, or ligamentous problems in or around the pelvis, abdomen, back, hips, and thighs. However, in some instances the problems experienced in the pelvis are caused by tightness, weakness, or poor alignment in other body areas. At PelviCore, treatment is comprehensive to find and treat the cause of your pain and dysfunction.
Common diagnoses treated at PelviCore include:
Read Dr. Pesavento's article: "Incontinence and the Aging Bladder" in the Jan 7, 2007 magazine issue of
ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine (page 20-21).
(Click each thumbnail to right to read)
PelviCore Physical Therapy 243 Church St., NW, Suite 100-B, Vienna, VA 22180 (571) 313- 5785
