Learn About Gender Health Physical Therapy Services at Fusion Wellness PT

Patients that are prepping for, or have undergone gender confirmation surgery (also termed gender affirmation surgery), will require the services of compassionate and skilled pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapists. There are many ways a physical therapist can and should be involved in their integrative treatment plan:

Preoperative Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Assessment:

• Alignment, postural assessment and corrective exercises –
  • Binding can lead to postural dysfunctions that in turn lead to neck and back pain.
  • Tucking is associated with changes in bladder function due to long periods of delay/retention and puts you at increased risk of developing overactive pelvic floor muscles.
• Fascial mobility assessment – to help with skin graft harvesting
• Hip mobility assessment – decreased range of motion can lead to difficulty in positioning during the surgery, or increased pain postoperatively if hips placed into already restricted position due to extensive time spent in position during surgery (6-8 hours); Communication with the surgeon on these limitations for possible position alterations to decrease time spent in restricted or painful range of motion
• Functional core assessment: weakness, overactivity or incoordination of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles contributes to bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction. Some of this dysfunction may be present preoperatively and should be assessed and treated to improve post-operative outcomes.
• Patient-specific education: This is an essential component of any physical therapy treatment plan

Postoperative Pelvic Health and Orthopaedic Assessment:

• Continue to address postural and orthopedic dysfunction found preoperatively, and reevaluate for changes in status, including strength, muscle flexibility and joint range of motion
• Evaluation and treatment for bladder, bowel and sexual health when appropriate (urinary urgency, painful intercourse, perineal itching, burning sensation, incontinence or leakage or any other discomfort in abdominal, genital or perineal area that may be present).
• Scar tissue management and myofascial therapies for FtM chest masculinization surgery, FtM and MtF bottom surgery, MtF Feminizing Mammoplasty
• Dilator training and support if applicable
• Improve sexual and pelvic health

These folks need the support of our community...and from a young age. Gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation as portrayed by society may conflict with how those assigned male or female at birth are perceiving themselves. This can have devastating consequences, including suicide. This population has an alarmingly high suicide rate – 41% at some point in their lives, compared with 4.6% of the general population (from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Williams Institute). Providers need to educate themselves and be sensitive to these challenges that are faced. We go the extra mile at Fusion Wellness to not just be allies, but also hiring members of the LGBTQIA+ community to better meet the needs of the patients we serve.

We are a safe space and welcome all individuals to our practice.

At Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy, while our primary focus is on pelvic health, our physical therapists all have advanced training to support our patients throughout their lifespan with their pelvic health, post-operative and orthopedic needs. This includes advanced certifications in lymphatic drainage and complete manual decongestive therapy, pilates, yoga, strength & conditioning and orthopedic board certification. We also offer chronic pain therapies for the entire body. We look forward to hearing from you, and you can use this form if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed physical therapists.