Spring/Summer 2020 Newsletter
Featured articles include Evaluating the Sacrococcygeal Joint to Treat Coccydynia, Superficial Pelvic Floor Muscles and Vulvar Pain, and Supportive Abdominopelvic Taping for the Postpartum Patient. To view the newsletter, please click here.
Read MoreCross-Friction Massage Applied to the Inguinal Ligament After Hip Surgery
Tension along the inguinal ligament can be a cause of groin, hip, genital, abdominal, or pelvic pain. The inguinal ligament attaches to the anterior superior iliac crest of the ilium and inserts onto the pubic tubercle of the pubic bone. The inguinal ligament is formed by the external oblique muscle aponeurosis and continues to be come the fascia lata of the thigh. Many lower quadrant structures are influenced by the inguinal ligament based on its location and surrounding structures. The femoral nerve, artery, and vein run underneath the inguinal ligament and if compressed can cause nerve...
Read MoreVulvar Varicosities and Scoliosis in a Pregnant Patient
This incredible pregnant patient complained of heaviness in the vulvovaginal area and mild low back pain. Looking at her from the front we see a curve along her right flank or rib cage (scoliosis) and varicosities along her right thigh. Scoliosis appears more pronounced when looking directly at the spine. There is an un-leveling at the shoulders, scapulas, ribcage, and pelvis, also an “S” curve is noted. She also has mild vulvar swelling on the right and a vulvar varicosity on the right labia majora and interlabial sulcus. This causes her sense a of vulvar heaviness. Her spinal mobility was...
Read MoreSacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Piriformis Syndrome in Pregnancy
Many pregnant patients come to us with complaints of sacroiliac joint pain and/or piriformis muscle pain. Sometimes the pain refers into the buttock and down the back of the leg. One great intervention for pregnant patients with strained piriformis muscles is cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is cold application like an ice pack or ice massage. Here we chose to do an ice massage because the patient’s piriformis muscle was too painful for soft tissue mobilization/massage. Performing an ice massage to the region or muscle in a cross-friction like stroking approach quickly soothes pain and addresses...
Read MoreTreating Abdomino-Phrenic Dyssynergia (APD) Successfully
Treating abdominal phrenic dyssynergia successfully: this patient has slowed digestive motility and mobility, and a distended abdominopelvic region. Both of her diaphragms (respiratory and pelvic) were restricted in mobility and discoordinated. We utilize manual therapies, pelvic floor rehab, visceral manipulation, sEMG biofeedback, intestinal massage, dietary discussions, Thiele’s massage, MFR, and a home exercise program (HEP). The HEP consists of many visceral and pelvic floor exercises. Important aspects of rehab for APD are: improving the mechanics of breathing, balancing the...
Read MoreC-Section Scar Mobilization
All women who have undergone a C-section would benefit from physical therapy to help prevent scar mobility restrictions and optimize appearance of the post-operative scar. Physical therapy can occur postpartum when the area is healed and you are cleared by your physician. Scar mobility techniques can be applied directly to the scar when it is still a little swollen and red. However, if the physician did not recommend it you can benefit at any time from scar tissue mobilization, even years afterwards. Ask your provider for a prescription for physical therapy for abdominal wall scar...
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