The pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles, connective tissue, nerves, and other soft tissues that sits in the bottom of the pelvis. The pelvic floor muscles play an integral role in sphincter function (bowel and bladder control), sexual appreciation, postural stability, and pelvic organ support.
Unfortunately, pelvic floor dysfunction has been radically normalized in our society. Many will shrug off their leaking when they cough, laugh, or sneeze because it's deeply ingrained that this is a rite of passage as we age or become new mothers. The signs of pelvic floor dysfunction span far beyond urinary leaking and can include: pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, fecal incontinence, urinary urgency, tailbone pain, and chronic pelvic pain conditions all have some kind of underlying pelvic floor dysfunction.
When we complain to a medical provider about a pelvic floor problem, often we are told to "Do our kegels.” The reality is that the pelvic floor is only part of a very complex movement and pressure management system. For this reason, kegels alone will never be the solution to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Join us for a 3-hour, in-depth look at the pelvic floor muscles and the various other parts of the human body that play a role in pelvic floor muscle function and pelvic health. We will explore how the breath, spine, hips, thorax, and feet all play a role in what's happening at the pelvic floor to lay a preliminary framework for optimizing pelvic health.
We will explore basic breath work and movement principles as they pertain to optimizing one's pelvic health.
This workshop is open to all people, as all bodies have a pelvic floor. Please come with an open mind, as we will be spending a lot of time talking about this intimate area of the body!
Cost: $55
Emily Priestas, PT, DPT, OCS, PRPC, CMTPT/DN is the owner and founder of Paradigm Pelvic Health & Wellness. She is a physical therapist with a board certification in orthopedics and subspecialty in pelvic health. Dr. Priestas is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, The Academy of Pelvic Health, and the Global Pelvic Health Alliance.
In addition to her clinical time, she is adjunct faculty for the Marshall University Doctor of Physical Therapy program, teaching the pelvic health curriculum to the University’s 3rd year PT students. Dr. Priestas has a passion for introducing the niche practice of pelvic health to future physical therapists, emphasizing that pelvic floor physical therapy is a subspecialty of orthopaedic physical therapy.
Dr. Priestas is highly skilled in the assessment and management of patients with the following diagnoses: Chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, pudendal neuralgia, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, vulvodynia, and more. She is experienced in treating both the female and male pelvic floor. As an orthopaedic clinical specialist, Dr. Priestas is devoted to looking beyond the pelvic floor to identify the “Why?” behind someone’s diagnosis. Currently, Dr. Priestas is involved in research activity identifying the biopsychosocial ramifications of stress urinary incontinence in elite gymnasts.