Blog

by Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, PT, DPT Folks with joint hypermobility often report instability, discomfort, and pain. One of the ways we help with that is by using different types of braces to improve proprioception, or the body’s sense of where it is in space. This can help prevent or minimize joint dislocations (where a bone slips fully out of its joint) and subluxations (where a bone moves partially out of place but doesn’t leave the joint). Frequent dislocations and subluxatio

By Hannah McDuffie, PT DPT Hysterectomies are among the most common surgical procedures performed on women in the United States. While physical therapy is often incorporated into the preparation and recovery process for orthopedic surgeries, pelvic surgeries do not always receive the same access to supportive care. At Wellest, we believe pelvic floor therapy can play an important role in both preparing for a hysterectomy and supporting recovery afterward.

by Erica Whaley, OTD Babywearing can be a wonderful way to keep your baby close while keeping your hands free, but after birth, it’s important to consider how carrying your baby may affect your healing body and pelvic floor. Whether you’re newly postpartum or further along in your recovery, understanding how your body responds to babywearing can help you feel more comfortable and confident. In this post, we’ll talk about when your body may be ready for babywearing, how to cho

By Erica Whaley, OT Short answer? Absolutely! As pelvic floor therapists, we get asked this question all the time, and the short answer is: yes! All people of all genders have a pelvic floor. Let’s dive a little more into what the pelvic floor is and why it matters - no matter what your sex is. What is the Pelvic Floor? Pelvic Floor Symptoms in Men Support for Pelvic Floor Symptoms What is the Pelvic Floor? The “pelvic floor” refers to a group of muscles in and around the p

by Hannah McDuffie, PT, PRPC, OMT The pelvic floor is getting a lot of attention right now online, which is great! It’s super important to take care of your pelvic health, no matter your age or gender. However, it’s helpful to understand a little bit more about your own pelvic floor before following exercise recommendations online. Continue reading to learn more about how to tell if your pelvic floor is tight or weak, which will help guide you in managing your pelvic healt

By: Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, PT, DPT, PRPC Dealing with vaginismus can be incredibly frustrating, and at times can feel isolating. It seems like everyone around you is having great sex, with no issues. So why can’t you? What is Vaginismus? How Long Does it Take to "Cure" Vaginismus? Treatments for Vaginismus What is Vaginismus? Vaginismus lives under the umbrella of “dyspareunia” which is a term for painful intercourse. With vaginismus, the muscles of the pelvic floor contract

By Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, PT, DPT, PRPC We most often think about pain as originating from an injury: You fall and break your leg, your leg hurts. When it comes to pelvic pain, things get a little more complex. Pelvic pain - meaning pain felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or perineal region - can be triggered by a whole range of things including musculoskeletal causes, urological/gynecological/colorectal causes, and neurological causes. We can also see pain stemming from inj

by Hannah McDuffie, PT, PRPC, OMT In recent years, social media has become inundated with fitness and exercise recommendations, especially when it comes to posture. A simple search of ‘anterior pelvic tilt’ on TikTok generates countless videos, with headlines such as “how to fix your anterior pelvic tilt” or “do this one exercise to fix your anterior pelvic tilt.” Keep reading to learn what exactly is an anterior pelvic tilt, whether or not it should be of concern, and what r

by Erica Whaley, OT Pain with intercourse can be very personal and uniquely frustrating. It can impact sexual desire, intimacy, and personal relationships, making it a distressing symptom for many. This blog post will break down what may be causing this pain and offer suggestions for next steps in finding relief. Pelvic Pain During Sex: Information and Statistics What's "Normal?" Contributing Factors to Pelvic Pain During Sex How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help with Pelvic Pa

by Hannah McDuffie, PT Pelvic floor exercise and therapy is often marketed towards females, but the truth is that everyone has a pelvic floor! Therefore, anyone can be affected by pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, regardless of sex or gender, and everyone should pay attention to them. Continue reading to learn specific exercises that will help promote a healthy and happy pelvic floor (and spoiler alert, it’s not just kegels!) What is the Pelvic Floor? Pelvic Floor Exercises fo

by Erica Whaley, OT When choosing between different pelvic floor therapy clinics, a common consideration is insurance coverage. It’s important to understand how insurance-based and cash-based care might differ so you can be empowered in your decision making when choosing what might be right for you. What Does “Insurance-Based” and “Cash-Based” Mean? Insurance-Based Therapy Pros and Cons Cash-Based Therapy Pros and Cons In Summary At Wellest Integrative Health What Does “Insu

by Shannon Pacella, PT Pregnancy is an incredible and transformative experience—but it’s not without its physical challenges. One common issue that many pregnant individuals face is pelvic pain. While some discomfort is common as your body adapts to pregnancy, persistent or severe pelvic pain can significantly affect your quality of life. At Wellest Integrative Health, we specialize in helping expecting parents navigate these changes with confidence and comfort. In this post,

by Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, PT, DPT Pregnancy can bring on a whole host of changes to your body, and it’s not uncommon to experience pelvic pain while pregnant. This can present in a multitude of ways including sacroiliac joint pain, pubic symphysis pain, hip pain, low back pain, tailbone pain, vaginal pain, etc. Though pain is a commonly reported symptom, it’s not something we should normalize. There are plenty of things we can do in pelvic floor physical therapy to alleviate

By Hannah McDuffie, PT, PRPC, OMT The postpartum period - also referred to as the ‘fourth trimester’ - can certainly be overwhelming! On top of caring for a newborn baby, your body is working very hard to recover from both pregnancy and childbirth. Regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or Cesarean delivery, your pelvic floor muscles will need some rehab! Continue reading for more information on taking care of your pelvic floor after birth. What is the Pelvic Floor?

by Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, PT, PRPC If you’re experiencing pelvic floor issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, constipation, etc., you’ve...

By Shannon Pacella, PT, DPT Pelvic pain is a common yet often misunderstood condition that affects people of all ages and genders....

By Hannah McDuffie, PT, DPT If you’ve ever dealt with bladder leaks, pelvic pain, constipation, or discomfort during intimacy, you know...

by Sarah Elison, PT, DPT Pregnancy is a time filled with lots of changes, excitement, and…opinions. A quick scroll through social media...

by Melissa Hines, PT, DPT, founder of Wellest From Personal Experience to a Lifelong Mission My journey into pelvic floor physical therapy began long before I ever stepped into PT school. In high school, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I watched physical therapists tell her she had “plenty of range of motion” — even though she felt far from getting her life back. When they said, “That’s the most you’ll ever get,” I knew I wanted to approach care differently. That exp

When Kate first came to Wellest, she had already seen multiple pelvic floor physical therapists but felt something was missing. Her...