Endometriosis affects 1 out of 10 women. Typically it starts out as painful periods, but can progress to chronic pelvic pain, abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and/or bowel and bladder issues. It can even lead to infertility. ‍It is common for people to have signs and symptoms of endometriosis for years (and sometimes decades) before being formally diagnosed with it. This prolonged process leads to unnecessary suffering, feelings of embarrassment and isolation, and reduced quality of life. That is why awareness is key.

Exercise has long been proven to relieve low back pain (LBP). Many studies show that being physically active is a better approach than avoiding movement when it comes to addressing chronic LBP. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Pilates Teacher, I have many years of experience helping people in the Atlanta area overcome chronic pain by incorporating Pilates exercises into their treatment programs.

Let me start out by explaining my background and my “introduction” into Pilates. I started at Activcore almost 2 years ago with little to no Pilates experience. I was an orthopedic PT, just starting my journey into pelvic health and women’s health as well. I was introduced to my now manager, Jessica Gowen, who if you know her wears a lot of hats (and wears them all exquisitely I might add).

True or False? Male pelvic pain is always associated with dysfunction of the prostate. The answer is FALSE. While the prostate can be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction at times, it is generally not the primary cause especially for pelvic pain. Approximately 2-16% of men may experience pelvic pain. Pelvic pain may also be associated with bladder, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction.

As I wrap up this blog series about treatments for scoliosis, let’s explore one of the most promising therapeutic interventions. It is called Redcord NEURAC (NEURomuscular ACtivation) and it comes from Norway. Utilizing a zero-gravity suspension exercise system, this groundbreaking yet gentle approach specifically targets what many consider to be the foundation of spinal stability: our deep intrinsic core muscles. The relationship between core stability and scoliosis has been a subject of interest in the rehabilitation community.

Dyspareunia is a medical term for painful sexual intercourse. It is characterized by persistent or recurrent pelvic pain that occurs before, during, or after intercourse. This condition affects both men and women, and can significantly impact your quality of life, relationships, and emotional well-being. Pain associated with dyspareunia can include sharp, burning, throbbing, or cramping sensations in the genital or pelvic region.

In my previous blog post, I discussed how Structural Integration (SI) can be a powerful tool for managing pain and tightness associated with scoliosis and postural dysfunction. Today, I will explore another promising non-surgical approach: Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT). OMPT is both an orthopedic assessment and manual therapy approach that employs various hands-on techniques to improve how you look, feel and move.

In my previous blog post, I introduced 3 non-surgical treatment options for scoliosis: Structural Integration (SI), Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT), and Neuromuscular Activation (NEURAC). Today, I am taking a closer look specifically at Structural Integration and how it can be a powerful tool in helping you manage soft tissue pain and tightness associated with scoliosis and postural dysfunction.

Have you been experiencing chronic back pain or neck pain and learned that it may be due to scoliosis or postural dysfunction? Would you like to be able to perform your daily activities, recreation and exercise to improve your health but they often result in increased pain? Scoliosis of the spine is an abnormal curvature that typically develops during adolescence. Left untreated, it can significantly impact your quality of life.

So you just got hurt or you’ve been dealing with pain for weeks, months or years. Rest hasn't worked and over-the-counter pain medications only help for a short period of time. Your quality of life is suffering and your ability to perform daily activities is becoming harder. So what’s the next step?... Physical therapy!