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About Heather Jeffcoat, DPT | Los Angeles Pelvic Floor Doctor
Popular Blog Posts
- Yoga Therapy to Ease Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Staff 2018-07-23
- Pediatrics and Pelvic Health: Encoporesis, Skid Marks, Poop Accidents, and Constipation Staff 2020-09-24
- Healthy Aging Month: Enjoying Sex With a Bad Back and Hips Staff 2020-09-08
- All About: Tarlov Cyst Staff 2021-08-05
- Finding The Right Personal Lubricant For You Staff 2019-10-30
- How Mindfulness Can Help with Erectile Dysfunction Staff 2021-02-11
- Pediatric Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Staff 2018-08-06
- Nonbacterial Prostatitis: Chronic Pelvic Pain in Men Staff 2018-07-05
- Why do my testicles hurt? Staff 2019-07-02
- Evidence-Based Recommendations for Managing Prostatitis Related Pain: Healthy Sex and Lifestyle Habits Staff 2018-07-27
- Why You Should STOP Doing Kegels NOW Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-29
- Histamines and Chronic Pelvic Pain, Chronic Prostatitis - the Connection Staff 2021-01-29
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures - How it Can Help Sarina Karwande PT, DPT, CAFS 2023-08-28
- Male Pelvic Pain: What You Should Do If You Have a "Headache in Your Pelvis" Staff 2020-09-17
- Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pubic Symphysis Pain Staff 2020-02-29
- What are Kegels? Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-04
- Male Dysorgasmia: When Sex Hurts Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CSCS 2022-03-01
- Evidence-Based Recommendations for Managing Prostatitis Related Pelvic Pain Staff 2018-07-19
- Why you should be doing Kegels RIGHT NOW! Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-08
- What’s Up Down There, Doc? Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2015-05-10
Pelvic Pain Treatments for Painful Sex, Vaginismus, Incontinence, and Other Pelvic Floor Issues
PT Services Offered:
- Specialized Pelvic Floor Treatments for Men and Women
- Pregnancy and Post-partum Treatments
- General Orthopaedics
- Cancer Rehabilitation programs, including treatment for Lymphaedema
- Evaluation & Treatment: Individualized treatment plans that are 55-85 minutes with a licensed physical therapist
- The IRAS Method for painful intercourse, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis
- Manual Therapy
- Exercise Prescription
- Fascial Stretch Therapy
- Positional Release Therapy
- Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation
- Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Shockwave Therapy for urologic, gynecologic, bowel and orthopedic dysfunction
- InTone Specialist for Stress, Urge and Mixed Urinary Incontinence, Accidental Bowel Leakage (fecal incontinence)
- All in a private, comfortable treatment environment
- No unlicensed personnel used. Ever.
- Personal training services also offered
In Office Sessions Available
We are still offering in-office one-on-one therapy sessions.
We have always adhered to only the safest health measures in our practice, and we will continue to do so long after the Covid crisis has passed.
Contact us here if you would like to schedule an appointment at one of our offices.
Self Care at Home
If you are not ready for an in-office visit, you can still feel connected.
We have always emphasized a home program for our patients, and with great success. Femina PT founder Heather Jeffcoat even wrote a book that emphasizes self care.
While it is true that hands-on therapy has been proven to benefit those with chronic pain, pelvic pain, incontinence, and more, it is also true that every successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Our trained therapists will listen to your story, observe your movements, and make the appropriate recommendations for your particular situation.
In short, a one-on-one telehealth session is a simple, effective, and private option. Click here for more info.
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All of our female services are now posted exclusively at the Femina Physical Therapy website:
"Unlike other offices, your first visit at Femina Physical Therapy is a thorough 85 minute evaluation."
Here's an outline of what to expect.
The goal of this initial evaluation is to understand all the different layers that could possibly be contributing to your condition. Once we understand the root causes of your issue, we will formulate a treatment plan to help you start feeling better, experiencing less pain, and getting back to the activities that you care about."
Check out all our Female-based services at FeminaPT.com
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Common Questions About Pelvic Floor Therapy For Men
The initial evaluation at Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy is 85 minutes.
This article outlines what you can expect during your appointment for pelvic floor therapy for men.
If you've asked yourself "Why do my testicles hurt?", "Why do I pee all the time?", "Why does my penis hurt?", "Why is ejaculation painful?", "Can you help a shy bladder?", "Why does it hurt to poop?" and other similar questions -- keep reading.
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Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy: What To Expect on the First Visit
Pelvic floor issues including constipation and incontinence can affect kids as well as adults. At Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy our therapists work with you and your child to make a safe and comfortable environment to treat these common issues to help your child function at their best and prevent pelvic floor issues in later childhood and adulthood.
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Learn About Gender Health Physical Therapy and Gender Affirming Services at Fusion Wellness PT
What is Gender Health?
Gender health is a broad collection of multidisciplinary gender affirming treatments, interventions, and care that specifically relate to a person's gender, that may require specific expertise to manage. Anyone can benefit from gender affirming care no matter if they are cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary (NB) people. This article is focused on how Gender Health relates to trans and nonbinary people.
For anyone undergoing surgery, it is often beneficial to consult with a physical therapist several months prior to your surgery. Physical therapists can help improve strength and conditioning needed for recovering from surgery, no matter where in the body the surgery is performed. This can help you prepare by being in better health prior to surgery, for better outcomes after.
Patients that are prepping for, or have undergone gender affirming surgery (also termed gender confirmation surgery), will require the services of compassionate and skilled pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapists. There are several gender affirming surgery programs, such as OSHU and NYU Langone, that are incorporating pelvic floor physical therapy into their care plans.
Physical therapists can also support transgender people that do not plan to have surgery, often referred to as Non-op. Trans bodies go through many desired changes as they transition; sometimes this can result in changes that are less desired such as changes in urinary function, sexual function, strength, or pain, and many of these changes can be successfully managed in pelvic floor physical therapy. Our physical therapists provide both pelvic health and orthopedic services, integrating a holistic approach to better treat our patients.
There are many ways a physical therapist can and should be involved in their integrative treatment plan to support their specific needs:
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Cancer Rehabilitation Treatments for Pelvic Area Cancers and More
How can physical therapy support cancer rehab?
Physical therapy offers a wide range of treatments to support people recovering from injuries, surgeries, diseases, and other significant changes to someone’s physical function. Cancer rehabilitation is no different. Whether the treatments are surgical, from radiation therapy, or effects of chemotherapy; treatments for cancer often bring the need for rehabilitation. Side effects from cancer treatments can greatly impact quality of life in ways that physical therapists can help manage.
Physical therapists can work with a survivor with their specific needs and with any other health conditions they have to offer evidence based care.
Here are some ways PT can help:
- Flexibility and mobility training
- Pain reduction
- Specific exercise plans for strength and conditioning
- improving sexual health, function, and reducing pain
- Improving urinary function
- decreasing constipation
- Improving function in arms or legs
- Managing edema/lymphedema
- Improving mobility of scar tissue
- Improving balance to reduce risk of falls
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
The abdomen and pelvis are central to so many of our bodily functions and our pelvic floor plays a significant role. Treatments for pelvic cancers such as prostate, anal, or gynecological cancers ( cervical, vulvar, uterine) can impact the strength, movement, and coordination of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor helps support our pelvic organs and acts as a gateway for important bodily functions. Changes in sexual function, urinary or bowel function can have a significant impact on quality of life. Medical treatments to manage hormone sensitive cancers like prostate cancer or breast cancer can induce atrophy in the genitals and cause pain or erectile dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help by improving muscle function, skin/tissue mobility, and even sexual function. When radiation is used as part of cancer treatment, pelvic PTs can help the patient improve bowel or sexual function with dilator training. Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are common following a prostatectomy, but these side effects are treatable. Pelvic PTs can help train the muscles to decrease urinary incontinence and depending on the surgery pelvic PTs can also help improve or restore erectile function. For more information about pelvic floor dysfunction beyond cancer - click here.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a common consequence of cancer therapies. Surgical treatments and radiation therapy often involve the removal or irradiation of lymph nodes to prevent the spread of cancer. Once the lymphatic system has been impaired, it increases the risk of developing lymphedema - a protein rich edema that can occur in the affected region of the body. Lymphedema can form in the head and neck, breast, torso, arms, legs, and genitals. Breast cancer treatments are the leading cause of secondary lymphedema in the US. Physical therapists and certified lymphedema therapists can help manage lymphedema and improve quality of life. The standard of care for treating lymphedema is complete decongestive therapy which includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, and skin care. For more information on treatments for lymphedema, and a related condition - lipedema, read more on our sister website here.
Radiation Fibrosis
Oncologists often use radiation therapy to help stop cancer. For the areas treated, the body responds with inflammation, sclerosis, and fibrosis in what is known as radiation fibrosis. This is a progressive condition that can result in decreased range of motion in the limbs, feelings of tightness, and pain. Licensed physical therapists can help manage radiation fibrosis with flexibility training, education, and once healed - gentle manual therapy.
Cancer related fatigue
People undergoing cancer treatments often experience fatigue. Resistance and aerobic exercise can help manage fatigue and are associated with improved quality of life and also improve anxiety, depression, and physical functioning. Physical therapists can help develop a safe evidence based exercise plan to address these changes.
Axillary web syndrome
Another common side effect of breast cancer treatments is Axillary web syndrome also known as axillary cording. Cording can be very painful and limit the use of the affected arm. The exact causes and nature of cording are not fully understood. Common risk factors for AWS are lower body mass index, radiation therapy, lymph node biopsies, and being younger. Physical therapists can help by restoring range of motion and strength to the arm.
Cardiotoxicity
Many cancer survivors need additional support due to changes in their heart function caused by radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Evidence supports the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors and individuals with heart disease. Physical therapists can coordinate with oncologists and cardiologists to offer safe exercise that will improve overall health and quality of life.
Links:
- CDC Physical Activity for Cancer Survivors
- American Cancer Society - Physical Activity and the Person with Cancer
- American Cancer Society - What is Cancer Rehab?
- ChoosePT - Physical Therapy Guide to Cancer
- National Lymphedema Network
Fusion Wellness is proud to offer a comprehensive cancer survivor rehabilitation program for men and women, including Lymphaedema therapy (complete manual decongestive therapy / manual lymphatic drainage), post radiation dilator use for pelvic area cancers, post-prostatectomy biofeedback for incontinence, garment recommendations, and more. On staff we have three Certified Lymphedema Therapists that work in our cancer rehabilitation program.
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Learn About Therapeutic Treatments Using Shockwave Therapy
We are excited to offer SoftWave (shockwave) therapy at both our Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills offices
Shockwave has been increasingly utilized in rehabilitation environments. Shockwave is often marketed under the name StemWave, but both are the same technology. Shockwave therapy has well-researched applications not only for conditions like wound healing, but is also useful for general orthopedic conditions including joint inflammation, sprains and strains. It can also help create angiogenesis and activate healing in the body.
There are two primary types of shockwave therapy, low intensity and high intensity. High intensity focused shockwave would be the type used in lithotripsy for kidney stones, for example. This type of energy wave can break up tissue and be very precise. Low intensity shockwave has a therapeutic effect and is the one we utilize in rehabilitation. Focused, low intensity shockwave is believed to create microtrauma to then stimulate healing. Unfocused (now termed Broad focused) shockwave does not cause microtrauma and is believed to stimulate healing through mechanotransduction. We use the SoftWave OrthoGold® and UroGold® Broad Focused, low-intensity device in our offices. Shockwave is marketed under different names, and not all machines are the same. SoftWave specifically does not create microtrauma and therefore does not damage the tissue.Broad focused, low-intensity device in our offices.
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Learn How Positional Release Therapy Can Help Ease Your Pain
Positional Release Therapy is a gentle technique that works with the body’s natural desire to move away from pain and towards comfort. We bring the body to a position of comfort, add gentle compression, and connect through subtle energy. We remind the body of its innate “happy place” and invite you to come back to relaxation and ease.
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We Offer a Wide Range of Treatments for Sports Injuries and Other Orthopedic Issues
We offer a variety of orthopedic treatments including physical therapy, Fascial Stretch Therapy, gentle exercise programs to help speed recovery, and more. Some of the issues we treat include acute, subacute, and chronic injuries of bone, joints and muscles, including injuries sustained during cycling, sports, or other activities.
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Pelvic Health Care Long Distance Program - Not local to the Los Angeles area? No problem!
At Fusion Wellness & Femina Physical Therapy, we understand that specialized pelvic health care is not found in every community.
We have many patients that travel from outside of the Los Angeles area for routine or intermittent care. These patients are seen by Heather Jeffcoat in our Sherman Oaks, CA office. Weekend accommodations can also be made if necessary.
To get started, a 55 minute telehealth session in California (or virtual consultation worldwide) is scheduled so that your individual needs can be met.
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Fascial Stretch Therapy Services at Fusion Wellness PT
Fusion Wellness PT offers Fascial Stretch Therapy™, an assisted-stretching system that unlocks the flexibility potential in your body! FST™ is a unique system of therapy & training that dramatically improves your flexibility by lengthening your fascia.
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