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

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