Specialized Services

Hands on Physical Therapy Specialized Services
Women’s and Men’s Health
All of the therapists at Hands on Physical Therapy have advanced training in specific anatomy and treatment related to the female and male pelvis. Our training includes both didactic and hands on lab technique courses aimed at in depth thorough evaluation and treatment of internal and external structures of the pelvic floor. Manual therapy techniques, primarily myofascial release, are the primary treatment tools utilized in our treatment approach. Our one on one approach allows us to easily identify postural and movement patterns which may be contributing to the problem being treated. Correction of these movement and postural patterns via specific strengthening, body mechanics and postural education is an important component to the treatment.

The advantages of manual internal treatment of the pelvic floor are as follows:
Identify and treat scar tissue from surgeries
Identify and treat muscle spasms of pelvic floor muscles
Identify weakness of pelvic floor muscles and define an appropriate exercise program
Evaluate directly appropriate muscle contraction while doing pelvic floor exercises
Education, biofeedback techniques for the patient to help them understand pain patterns and specific weakness.

The following diagnoses are commonly treated:
Women’s Health
Pelvic pain and dysfunction
Bladder and bowel health:
   Urinary and fecal incontinence
   Urgency and frequency
Infertility problems
Vulvadynia/vestubulitis
Endometriosis
Menstrual Problems
Painful surgical scars and adhesions including episiotomy and mastectomy scars
Interstitial cystitis
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
Breast pain – implant and reduction scars
Musculoskeletal pain
   Tail bone, sacroiliac and low back pain
   Pregnancy and post partum pain

Men’s Health
Pelvic pain and dysfunction
Bladder and bowel health:
   Urinary and fecal incontinence
   Urgency and frequency
Prostate health/Post prostate surgery education and treatment
Erectile dysfunction
Musculoskeletal pain
   Tail bone, sacroiliac and low back pain

Pediatrics
At Hands on Physical Therapy, we also specialize in treating the Pediatric population. Like their adult counterparts, children and infants also benefit from skilled manual therapy, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy. Birthing injuries can cause undue stresses on the cranial nerves, cranial bones, soft tissue, and the nervous system which can be related to numerous symptoms such as colic, irritability, esophageal reflux, compromised digestive function, muscle spasms. In the child we also treat symptom complexes with the following diagnoses:
Developmental delay
Chronic sinus/ear infections
Colic
Gastro-esophageal reflux
Craniosacral dysfunction related to the delivery process
ADD and ADHD
Muscle tone abnormalities (high or low tone)

TMJ
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is primarily a jaw dysfunction that can give rise to numerous symptoms. The most common of these symptoms are:
Pain and stiffness in the jaw, ear, and neck
Headaches
Locking and clicking of the jaw
Ringing in the ears

Theories about TMJ
Improper position of the jaw caused by improper position of the teeth
Improper position of the teeth altering the position of the jaw and causing muscular strain and spasm in the jaw area
Clenching and grinding behavior leading to muscular fatigue, muscle spasm and pain
* Muscle based theory is now generally accepted as the primary cause of TMJ

Manual therapy techniques are effective in treating TMJ in the following ways:
Craniosacral Therapy to balance cranial asymmetries
Direct soft tissue techniques to lengthen shortened and painful muscles around the jaw, head and neck as well as intraoral musculature
Correction of compensated muscles throughout the spine, hips, arms and legs
Lymph drainage techniques