Episode 64: Your Pelvic Floor Matters: How and Why to Take Care of Your Pelvic Floor

While Kegels during pregnancy can be important, in today's episode we learn that pelvic floor health goes WAY beyond that. The pelvic floor is one of the more commonly neglected parts of our body, yet affects us so deeply, which is why it is incredibly important to know when to reach out to a pelvic floor physical therapist, regardless of age or gender.  In this episode, Jodi and her guest- Dr. Riva Preil discuss all-things-pelvic floor including when to seek physical therapy and what to ask a PT. 

About Our Guest:

Dr. Riva Preil, PT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, CLT is a pelvic floor physical therapist with a passion for pelvic health. She treats women, men, and children with various pelvic floor disorders at Revitalize Physical Therapy, her private practice in New York City. She is certified in various modalities, including biofeedback, lymphedema, and craniosacral therapy to help her patients achieve their goals. Riva is a board-certified in Women's Clinical Specialist (WCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association. She blogs regularly, lectures to physicians, students, and the lay community, and constantly seeks opportunities to further her education and share knowledge with others. She recently started a YouTube channel called Pelvic Pearls to help educate others on this very important specialty. 

Show Notes:

6:15: What is the pelvic floor?

“The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that rests at the bottom of the core…”

7:31: Types of pelvic floor dysfunctions and treatments

“So when we think of the pelvic floor muscles there are two opposite ends of the spectrum where dysfunction can exist. On one end, there’s under-activity or weakness… the opposite end of the spectrum is when there’s overactivity or tightness of the pelvic floor muscles.”

15:47: The importance of postpartum physical therapy

“I am a big believer that it is a part of the body that deserves to have some attention and rehabilitation after pregnancy, labor, delivery… It’s easy to let your own needs slip through the cracks, but sometimes it only takes a few sessions of physical therapy.”

23:17: Questions to ask a Physical Therapist

“ I think that patients have the right to interview their therapists before they decide… it’s really important to feel that they are clinically knowledgable.. but also from a rapport perspective, that they’re patient, that they make you feel comfortable…”

25:43: Pelvic floor advice for pregnant women

“First before telling any pregnant women ‘do kegels’… you want to make sure that there is no history of pain… I actually do have a prenatal stretching program on my Youtube channel called ‘Pelvic Pearls’.”

28:57: A Special Offer from Dr. Riva Preil

Great idea! I am happy to offer a 10% discount off of the initial evaluation (first session) for anyone who hears about me through the show and reaches out within one month.

Connect with Dr. Riva Preil:

Email
Website
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Youtube

Credits:

Host: Jodi Freid

Guest: Dr. Riva Preil

Editors: Ilyana Castillo and Isabel Leyva