PelviCore Physical Therapy

www.medpagetoday.com

Vaginal health improved from vaginal testosterone in post-menopausal women.

www.medpagetoday.com

8,000 Nerve Endings? Actually, the Cl****is Has More

Finally… the world is starting to talk about female body parts and not only males!!

8,000 Nerve Endings? Actually, the Cl****is Has More First count in humans may lay the groundwork for safer surgery

Vaccinated but Sick With COVID-19

Infection control strategies need to remain the same even after (first) vaccination.

Vaccinated but Sick With COVID-19 Reports of post-vax infection a reminder to keep on masking and distancing, experts say

‪Current COVID-19 vaccine rollout is disturbingly slow due to lack of manpower. Other HCPs should be trained and allowed to help vaccinate VA residents ASAP. I am a PT, trained to stick needles in patients and very capable of doing injections, know anatomy very well, and willing to volunteer. Governor of Virginia, please enact an emergency order. Let us fill the gap to help vaccinate Virginia!

Please people...if you value your life, DO NOT under any circumstances ingest or inject disinfectant or bleach into your bodies!!!!

I was hoping a few days ago that everyone would know that, but based on the number of people contacting the Lysol company to see if that was safe I am sadly mistaken and worry about those others who might be trying it without asking about its safety beforehand.

Exclusive: Amazon Confirms First Known Coronavirus Case in an American Warehouse

Anticipated this a while ago, but now there's a real potential that Amazon (and any) packages could have virus on or in them as the virus can remain alive on inanimate surfaces.

My suggestion: bring packages into garage WITH DISPOSABLE GLOVES and leave them there for 3 days before bringing inside and opening-- same thing with mail. Just be sure to make separate piles each day so as not to contaminate older deliveries from newer ones. If you don't have a garage, pick a remote, less traveled area of your home to make your piles.

Stay safe everyone!

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/amazon-warehouse-employee-has-coronavirus/608341/

Exclusive: Amazon Confirms First Known Coronavirus Case in an American Warehouse Workers at the Queens, New York, facility say employees were expected to come in for their night shift after the case was identified. Amazon denies this.

These simulations show how to flatten the coronavirus growth curve

PLEASE watch the simulators in this article to demonstrate the importance of distancing yourselves from others. GREAT VISUAL!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/

These simulations show how to flatten the coronavirus growth curve The early trickle of new coronavirus infections has turned into a steady current. By creating simple simulations, we can see how to slow it down.

Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day

This article is an important reminder that social distancing needs to be taken seriously, particularly NOW since many offices and schools have closed this week-- FINALLY! If EVERYONE stays in even for a week (or better, 2), it will significantly slow transmission and flatten the curve.

Our local school system, FCPS, acted too late and, as such, just announced their first positive case-- teacher in an elementary school. My guess is that there will be MANY more to come considering the number of people in each of our schools and the number of kids that were already sick this past week. For those of you who are parents of school-aged children, use this time that the kids are home from school to PLEASE STAY HOME with them for 2 weeks (to allow enough time for potential symptoms to be felt) because there is a good chance that you have been exposed. PLEASE THINK OF OTHERS! PLEASE THINK OF YOUR FAMILIES! Please don't let your kids have play dates or go to parks or public places while home from school!!!

WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART TO SLOW THIS THING DOWN!! This virus is no joke and we have to each take real action to keep our families, our communities, and ourselves safe, healthy and ALIVE! I understand it's hard for some not to go to work, trust me...I am right there with you. But, the sacrifice will be worth it in the end. Don't be someone who down the road will regret that you didn't act when you had a chance. Regrets in this case are too dangerous.

As such, I have decided to close my office this week to protect my family and my patients and, thus, their families. I am continuously monitoring the situation and will decide on further cancellations as the week progresses.


https://medium.com//social-distancing-this-is-not-a-snow-day-ac21d7fa78b4

Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day Originally published by Ariadne Labs on March 13, 2020

I just donated to The Women's Center. Do the same!

I just donated to The Women's Center. Do the same! This is a great cause! Join me in my efforts to support them. Donate Now!

Va. Warns Authorities About Tests Misidentifying CBD as Pot

For all those Virginia folks looking for pain relief...

Va. Warns Authorities About Tests Misidentifying CBD as Pot Police and prosecutors around Virginia will have to change the way they handle ma*****na cases after a warning issued late Thursday by the director of the Department of Forensic Science.

There’s no such thing as a “normal” v***a, a new study claims

We are all unique...and that's ok.

There’s no such thing as a “normal” v***a, a new study claims The shape and size of women’s external genitalia varied widely in the study.

Prices Keep Rising for Drugs Treating Painful S*x in Women

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/03/health/vagina-womens-health-drug-prices.html?partner=IFTTT

Prices Keep Rising for Drugs Treating Painful S*x in Women Pharmaceutical companies get away with marking up drugs used to improve women’s s*x lives because there’s little public outcry over a topic that’s pretty much taboo.

S*x Hurts. Help! — The New York Times

A very common misconception...

S*x Hurts. Help! — The New York Times Navigating a sensitive, and critical, topic.

What You Don't Know About Episiotomies Can Hurt You

What You Don't Know About Episiotomies Can Hurt You The midwife put a cut in the top of a piece of paper and pulled. The paper ripped cleanly in half. “That’s what happens to a woman’s perineum when you do an episiotomy,” she explained.

Lichen Sclerosus FAQs—What You Must Know About the Genitalia Disorder

Lichen Sclerosus FAQs—What You Must Know About the Genitalia Disorder Answers to frequently asked questions about lichen sclerosus, a rare and painful skin disorder that mostly affects the genitalia.

We have updated the language on this infographic following your great feedback. Download/share this *UPDATED* version of this infographic at http://info.womenshealthapta.org/what-every-girl-should-know-bladder-bowel-pelvic-health.

What can a Women's Health Physical Therapist or a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist do for you? Check out some of these great educational resources: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/patients/

Find a PT: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/pt-locator
Stay tuned for a complete REVAMP of our PT Locator in the coming week!

The emphasis of the health sciences on fitness and wellness has brought to women’s attention a need to pay closer attention to their bodies during recreation, work, and throughout life. Many physical therapists have specialized training which will benefit women with a variety of medical conditions. These therapists use every facet of their physical therapy training to evaluate and treat female clients, promoting and enhancing health through the life span.

*xualabuse
APTA Section on Women's Health Student Special Interest Group - SSIG

Great idea! Great cause!

Organized by the NCL Virginia Bluebell Chapter (National Charity League, Inc.),
BRAWS: Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters will be donating all bras collected for this drive to Women Giving Back. To coordinate a drop off, please email [email protected]! Accepting until March 5th!

Lyme Savvy

Great new Lyme book!

Lyme Savvy Lyme Savvy offers important insights into the patient-practitioner dynamic that you need to know to live well while dealing with the disease... and to move toward recovery.

Doing my duty to support HB1514 & SB1024 to expand VA state laws to allow physical therapists to report disabled/impaired drivers to the DMV. It’s not only in the individual driver’s best interest, it’s in the best interest of all drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who share the road.

Prevent Cancer 5k

Supporting a great cause!

Love this!

Fall in

ISSWSH - ISSWSH Press Release

Right when we think they are finally making some strides to address women's s*xual dysfunction (and not only focus on that of men) when the FDA approved the drug flibanserin, an article comes out in JAMA Internal Medicine biased against the drug. ISSWSH (the International Society for the Study of Women's S*xual Health- of which I am a proud member) posted a press release and editorial defending the efficacy of the drug. http://isswsh.org/images/PDF/ISSWSH_PressRelease_20160229.pdf
http://isswsh.org/news/200-press-release-20160229http://isswsh.org/images/PDF/ISSWSH_JAMA_article_BP_20160229.pdfhttp://isswsh.org/images/PDF/ISSWSH_JAMA_editorial_BP_20160229.pdf
Original article in JAMA Internal Medicine: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2497781

We need to stand up for women and not only address this issue with half of the population.

ISSWSH - ISSWSH Press Release NEWS ISSWSH Press Release Details Published: Monday, 29 February 2016 17:15 PRESS RELEASE Reference Articles: Efficacy and Safety of Flibanserin for the Treatment of Hypoactive S*xual Desire Disorder in Women A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Loes Jaspers; Frederik Feys; Wichor M. Bramer; Oscar…

One Third of Women Are Living with S*xual Pain That's Ruining Their Lives | Broadly

One Third of Women Are Living with S*xual Pain That's Ruining Their Lives | Broadly Vulvodynia and associated disorders make s*x excruciatingly painful, but doctors are still stumped on how to treat these conditions—if they even believe in them at all.

FDA sets new rules for injury-prone pelvic mesh

Important information for people who've had mesh implants.

FDA sets new rules for injury-prone pelvic mesh Mesh implants used to repair pelvic collapse in women will face new federal scrutiny, under rules responding to thousands of injuries reported with the problem-prone devices.

Don’t Feel the Squeeze

Yeah! More press on a very important topic and one that I'm passionate about helping-- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, which are tight (or hypertonic) pelvic floor muscles.

Don’t Feel the Squeeze Like most women, Leslie Howard thought the key to pelvic-floor health was Kegel exercises. So she dutifully isolated and contracted as often as she could — until her muscles were so tight that she couldn’t have s*x with her husband. “I learned the hard way,” says Howard, who had to spend the next ye…

The hidden medical epidemic few women have been willing to talk about, until now

The word is FINALLY getting out about this very prevalent problem that so many women are living with. There is help-- both Pelvic Physical Therapy and/or surgery when conservative treatment fails.

The hidden medical epidemic few women have been willing to talk about, until now ‘Everyone thinks they’re the only one’ to suffer from pelvic floor disorders

What It’s Like to Have Severe Vaginismus

Finally, people are talking about this! While it's no longer called vaginismus, dyspareunia (pain with in*******se) is very real and often is a result of tight pelvic floor muscles which can make pe*******on painful and either difficult or impossible. BUT, there's hope for anyone suffering from this. Find a Pelvic Physical Therapist-- it helps tremendously and can really change your life!

What It’s Like to Have Severe Vaginismus "It’s like having an ob-gyn exam every single week for three months, and each time they’d introduce a different size dilator."

Mobile uploads

On painkillers and thinking about getting pregnant? Better talk to your doctor.

Got Pain? Get off your painkillers before getting pregnant.

On painkillers and thinking about getting pregnant? Better talk to your doctor. CDC study shows women age 15 to 44 getting drugs such as Vicodin and Oxycontin.

FDA Approves New Hormonal IUD

Another choice in IUD contraceptive devices approved by FDA

FDA Approves New Hormonal IUD (Adds executive comment; background) By Samantha Kareen Nair and Natalie Grover Feb 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a hormonal contraceptive device on Friday that gives American women anot...

Support the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2013 (H.R. 1310)

If this doesn't currently affect you or someone you know/love (ie. your parents, grandparents), it will affect you/them at some point. There is a bill called the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2013 (H.R. 1310) that was introduced to a congressional committee on Mar. 21, 2013 by Rep. Tom Price of Georgia. This bill calls to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, which currently does not give Medicare patients complete freedom of choice of their medical providers. For those of you who don't know this, any US citizen who is retired and age 65 or more, must carry Medicare Part B (which is the part that covers any medical service outside of hospitalization). (There are a very few exceptions to that, but likely you or those you know would not qualify for such exceptions.) And, those over 65 and working in an office with less than 20 employees can be required by their employers to sign up for Medicare as their primary insurance when they turn 65, so you don't have to be retired to be forced into Medicare.

In a nutshell, Medicare patients (those with Medicare as their primary insurance) are limited to receiving certain healthcare services (physical therapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.) only by contracted Medicare providers. If a Medicare patient would want to pay out-of-pocket for services by a particular non-participating provider of Medicare, that provider cannot legally treat that patient. For example, I am not a Medicare provider, yet I am often contacted by prospective new patients who are Medicare patients. When I explain to them that I cannot treat them because I am not a provider, the response is usually "it's ok I'll pay out-of-pocket," after which I have to explain that because I am not a Medicare provider it is actually illegal for me to treat them. They all have found it preposterous, which it is, that they have no freedom of choice of who they go to for their healthcare needs.

Please realize that this is not limited to my specialty. Let's say an elderly family member of yours has a stroke and needs outpatient neurorehab services and the best or only neuro PT in town doesn't take Medicare. Well, that family member is out of luck and would have to go to a general PT who may not know enough to offer the best treatment and get the best results. If that same family member also needs occupational and speech therapy due to the stroke, they may find themselves in a similar situation.

Oddly, physicians have been granted the option to "opt out" of Medicare, meaning they can see Medicare patients and not be providers, but for whatever reason physical therapists, chiros, and occupational therapists were not granted that same option. Yet, non-"medical" service providers, like massage therapists, personal trainers, etc. can freely take on Medicare patients as clients because they are in no position to accept Medicare as payment for their services. It makes NO sense. If anything, if Medicare patients choose to spend the money to pay out-of-pocket for services, that would pad Medicare's pocket since they wouldn't have to reimburse for those services. Those of you in the DC area are likely aware that many of the best medical and healthcare providers, especially specialists, are all moving away from Medicare (and insurance in general) for a variety of reasons-- poor reimbursement, less time with patients, too much paperwork, etc. So, the number of highly skilled professionals that take Medicare is quickly dwindling-- making change even more necessary.

The Medicare Empowerment Act of 2013 would allow all Medicare patients the freedom to go to any health provider they want. It is a bill without much backing or lobbying, likely because of lack of funding, but an important one nonetheless. As of right now, the website govtack.us estimates that there is only a 3% chance of this getting past the congressional committee and only a 1% chance of it actually being enacted. Very pathetic odds. So, that's why it's so important for everyone to voice their support by contacting your U.S. House Representative to ask him/her to support this bill. It can literally take 2 minutes of your time by clicking on the following link:
http://capwiz.com/amerpta/issues/alert/?alertid=62544796
This link provides you a pre-typed letter, that you can edit to include your own comments, which will be sent directly to your House Rep based on your home address. So, far in the last 10 days, there are 3 more co-sponsors in the House who are showing support (a total of 8 now), possibly due to us spreading the word and getting people to write in. So, PLEASE take 2 minutes and click the link to show your support.

I am very passionate about this particular subject and realize that this issue is unknown to the general population whom it affects. I think it discriminates against the elderly and often offers them sub-par care or no care at all in some cases to treat their ailments. Think about it… if you are retired and age 64 and getting PT from a non-participating Medicare provider whom you either really like or you are really seeing great results from, that's your right. But, the day you turn 65-- BANG-- you would have to stop seeing that PT just because you are 65, retired, and have been forced to take on Medicare as your primary insurance. If that's not age discrimination, I don't know what is. It challenges our basic human rights-- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (or quality of life in this case).

Please take action for yourselves or your loved ones. The more people that write in about this, the more attention it will get. So, PLEASE PASS THIS ON to friends and family. The more, the better! You can track the bill at: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1310#

Up until now there was nothing that could be done to change this ridiculous law, but this gives me a little bit of hope.

Thanks for listening!

Support the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2013 (H.R. 1310) Support the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2013 (H.R. 1310)

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