What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Wondering if pelvic floor therapy could help you? Pelvic floor therapy focuses on helping people connect to their pelvic floor, along with the rest of their body, in order to diminish symptoms and improve quality of life. Symptoms or diagnoses of those who may be helped by pelvic floor physical therapy include:
- Pregnancy or postpartum concerns including returning to running or exercise
- Leaking urine, stool, or gas with activity such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing
- Urinary or fecal urgency - the feeling of needing to rush to the bathroom
- Low back, hip, SI, tailbone, or pelvic pain including interstitial cystitis and endometriosis
- Pelvic organ prolapse - the feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
- Painful intercourse
- Recovery from pelvic surgery including prostate surgery
What to expect from your initial visit:
A Conversation: We understand that everyone’s story is unique. At Peak, we take the time to listen to your concerns and will continue to do so throughout your treatment. Every session is an hour long with dedicated one-on-one time with your physical therapist.
A thorough exam: Your pelvic floor does not work in isolation so we make sure to assess how it interacts with other important parts of your body including your abdominals, hips, and breathing mechanics.
An explanation of your options: Just as every story is unique, so is every person’s choice about how to proceed with their care. We want to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision about how you want to work towards improving your health and well-being.
A recommended course of treatment: But don’t worry, you won’t be left to make the decisions alone. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will be beside you to help you navigate your course of treatment. And every session will be dedicated to one-on-one time between you and your therapist so you can continue to progress over the course of your therapy.
Types of treatment offered:
We pride ourselves on integrating the whole body into our treatment approach. So at Peak, you won’t find yourself lying on a mat, hooked up to a machine, doing endless kegels. Instead, we’ll help you build a solid foundation on which to build your desired movement goals.This can include:
- Therapeutic exercise incorporating techniques from pilates, weight-lifting, yoga, and more
- Manual therapy
- Dry needling
- Breathing techniques
- Biofeedback
- Education, so you can understand how to you can help yourself in a variety of situations beyond therapy
Meet our therapists:
Allison Stowers, PT, DPT, SCS
Allison Youngblood Stowers is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy who earned her clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Georgia State University. She is Certified in Dry Needling as well as a Certified Running Gait Analyst. A love of rock climbing and a dedication to its outdoor community brought Allison and her husband to Chattanooga, TN. That same love of climbing and the rehabilitation of common injuries seen among climbers are what ultimately lead Allison down her professional path.
Along her journey, she was intrigued by the common issue of pelvic pain and urinary incontinence among high-level athletes and women in general. Thus, her further educational pursuit into pelvic floor rehab through the Herman and Wallace pelvic rehabilitation institute. As a mom herself, she loves to help keep women moving during pregnancy and beyond.
At Peak Fitness and Physical Therapy, she provides one on one guidance for climbers, runners, & other outdoor athletes in the Chattanooga community and offers virtual consultations via Zoom for those beyond. Allison teaches free workshops for climbers in her community and has presented at national conferences for physical therapists. She serves as an area rep for the Southeastern Climbing Coalition and is a Wilderness First Responder.
Allie Brown, PT, DPT
Allie is a licensed physical therapist with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Georgia State University. Prior to physical therapy school, Allie graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University with a Biomedical Sciences degree. She has a background in teaching exercise classes, personal training, and coaching at Orangetheory Fitness. Allie is thrilled to be in a career that allows her to combine her love of fitness with science and creativity, all while helping patients reach their maximum potential. Her favorite part of being a physical therapist is getting to know her patients and helping them get back to doing what they love!
Allie is also Dry Needling certified, and has an interest in treating pelvic floor conditions. She received her level 1 pelvic floor training through Herman and Wallace, and enjoys helping women improve their overall quality of life.
Patient testimonials:
A few love notes from the amazing patients we have helped:
- “I started back running 4 weeks ago and doing a beginner’s program. Taking it slow. So far it’s going great and I am continuing strengthening exercises! You saved my life! You helped me so much!”
- “I am hopeful for the first time in a long time that I may be able to live one day without debilitating pain, fear of carrying my daughter, or dreading being intimate with my husband.”
- “Highly recommend pelvic floor PT to help heal and strengthen your core after birthing a human."