Becoming a mom changes our lives in a myriad of ways, our bodies being one of the most obvious. I’m a mom to a toddler and expecting a baby this spring. My belly is expanding daily, and soon heartburn will be my constant companion, but I can accept it because the joy of having children is worth it to me. Plus, I know so much of it is temporary. One thing I’d rather do without? A bladder that betrays me every time I sneeze, cough, or even think about doing jumping jacks. IYKYK. Thankfully, there is help for this–pelvic floor therapy! And it’s not just for moms, either. Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to an expert on this topic, Catherine McIntosh, PT, DPT from TherapySouth!
Catherine received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UAB in 2010. Upon graduation, Catherine began working for TherapySouth and is currently a Partner and Clinic Director at TherapySouth’s Lakeview/Southside clinic. She has been in outpatient physical therapy for 12 years. She became a dry needling practitioner in 2014 and an Orthopedic Certified Specialist in 2019. She is married to her husband Patrick, and they have one son, Liam. She enjoys the outdoors and staying active, especially weightlifting and running. Beyond orthopedics, she is passionate about education and assisting women in remaining healthy and active through all phases of life.
What is TherapySouth?
TherapySouth is a physical therapist owned, private practice that focuses on manual therapy and individualized care. The business was started in 2006 and currently has around 25 clinics in the greater Birmingham area. Primarily, our therapists treat orthopedic conditions; however, we have various specialties in our clinics, including a certified hands therapist, pelvic physical therapists, lymphedema specialists, and manual and orthopedic certified physical therapists. We take pride in training and mentoring our new therapists and encourage a lifetime of learning. Notable recognitions include the APTA Alabama Innovations in PT Award and UAB Excellence in Business Award.
What is the pelvic floor (PF)?
The pelvic floor consists of connective tissue and muscles that act like a sling to support organs and control essential body functions like urination and bowel movements.
What does pelvic floor therapy entail?
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) consists of an evaluation with a pelvic trained physical therapist. They will be assessing internal pelvic floor musculature specifically, but also performing a thorough evaluation of the core musculature. The muscles surrounding the hips, pelvis, lumbar spine, and abdominal region work in conjunction with the pelvic floor muscles to stabilize the body.
Who is the ideal candidate for pelvic floor therapy?
Individuals who should be assessed by a pelvic floor therapist can present with of a variety of symptoms: low back or hip pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, pain with intercourse, or increased stress. Most women postpartum would benefit from an evaluation with a pelvic floor therapist to assess not only pelvic floor strength but also the ability to contract and relax the core musculature properly to return to pre-pregnancy function. The fourth trimester and onward can be a hectic time for Mom; so, our clinics are child-friendly and prepared to work with Mom and baby when necessary. As this generation advocates for their healthcare, it’s important to realize that there is no one way to treat PF issues, and PT is uniquely trained to create an individualized plan. Pelvic floor issues are common and can even manifest many years after childbirth, trauma, C-section, or other abdominal surgery. However, with the help of a physical therapist, symptoms can be treated successfully, and many times resolved.
What should someone expect at their first appointment?
At the first appointment, an evaluation will take place. It is important that the physical therapist perform an internal evaluation of the pelvic floor tissue along with an external evaluation of the spine, hips, and pelvis. The physical therapist will be assessing strength, flexibility, and pain. They will discuss health history and current symptoms to gather all the information pertaining to the individual to form a plan of care. The client will be educated on findings, and the physical therapist may begin treatment during the first session. The physical therapist will also prescribe exercises to be performed independently outside of the therapy sessions.
How long is each session, and how much time would someone need to commit to therapy?
Each session on average lasts about an hour but will vary based on each individual’s treatment plan. Often, the client will attend one or two sessions each week, initially, and may decrease the frequency as symptoms improve. Duration of physical therapy varies greatly from individual to individual and diagnosis to diagnosis.
How do we get started with therapy at TherapySouth?
You can get started with a pelvic floor therapist by calling your local TherapySouth. Many of our clinics have a trained pelvic floor therapist on staff, but if your neighborhood location does not, they will assist you in finding the most convenient location for you. It is important to advocate for your health, so make sure to inquire about pelvic physical therapy at your next MD appointment if you feel it is right for you.
