One day, you jump out of bed without a second thought. The next, even getting up feels like an effort: your knees crack, your hips complain, and your back seems to remind you to take things a little slower. If you have caught yourself thinking, "When did my body start doing this?" you are not alone. During perimenopause and menopause, many women notice changes in their joints, muscles, bones, balance, bladder, and pelvic health. New aches and stiffness may appear seemingly out of nowhere, while activities that once felt easy may suddenly require more effort.

Trauma and chronic stress—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—have long been recognized as key contributors to a variety of health conditions. One area often overlooked, however, is the pelvic floor. Many people are surprised to learn that stress can significantly impact pelvic health, especially when left unresolved over time.‍ Whether you’re dealing with digestive irregularities, urinary urgency, pain with sitting, or unexplained pelvic discomfort, understanding how the nervous system, diaphragm, and pelvic floor work together is essential.

Regional interdependence is a term that I first learned while taking a course called Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) back in 2011. It was a term that I was unfamiliar with, despite my many years of practicing as a physical therapist at the time. It helped me understand that the origin of pain in the body may or may not come from the area of pain. Sometimes you have to be sort of like a detective by tracing back when and where the problem actually originated.

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.

When it comes to recovery from an injury or surgery, PT is often a vital component of the healing process. It helps restore movement, strength, and functionality, addressing the specific needs of the individual. When it comes time to discharge my patients from PT, I am constantly trying to find ways to promote healthy ways to stay active and strong to reduce the risk for re-injury.

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.