Pelvic Health Blog

Ultrasound imaging for constipation

12/20/2020

Get a glimpse of Connect PT's rehabilitative ultrasound with Bryn Zolty, PT. We can use the ultrasound to teach proper pelvic muscle coordination and help conditions like functional constipation.

Watch the overview video below.

What's new: cupping therapy

6/22/2018

By Bryn Zolty, PT

Cupping therapy has added another element of therapeutic release for our patients at Connect PT. Cupping has been around for over 3500 years in ancient Egyptian and Chinese Medical texts. It is a method of placing or sliding cups on various body parts using heat or suction to create a negative pressure to mobilize the tissue.

Its proposed treatments include a wide range of ailments, such as improving lymph drainage, improving blood flow, decreasing pain, and even drawing out infections.

Our therapists use one of the more gentle methods, gliding cupping, as a way of decompressing the soft tissues with lotion/oil to increase motion and decrease pain. A patient can feel gentle suction, stretching, or slow gliding of the cup. This is unlike the prolonged, static placement of the cups, as performed on some Olympic athletes. Our patients benefit by: increasing blood flow and removal of stagnant blood, softening/releasing scar tissue and adhesions, releasing trigger points and "muscle knots", improving tissue mobility/flexibility, and relaxing muscles. We have had success using cupping therapy with many conditions, like low back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain, stuck scars, constipation, and much more!

Recommended Resources: Pro-roller Soft

9/8/2016

Connect PT likes the Pro-Roller Soft for gentle rolling of tight areas.

Its softer material makes it comfortable to lie on for support or compression during exercise, compared to other rollers that are traditionally more firm.

Recommended resource: thera cane

3/16/2016

Connect PT likes the Thera Cane, a self-massager that makes it easy to break up trigger points - even in hard-to- reach places!

The pressure applied by the Thera Cane can improve muscle function by increasing blood flow and releasing adhesions.

Recommended Resources: The Squatty Potty

1/26/2015

What a great idea! Check out The Squatty Potty at squattypotty.com, for a simple solution to improving constipation.

The stool improves toileting posture by lifting the knees above the hips. Pelvic floor muscles can fully relax to allow the colon to empty completely.

Recommended Resources: Stretch Out Strap

6/2/2013

Connect PT recommends the Stretch Out® Strap for thorough stretching without a partner.

Multiple loops make it possible to sustain stretches more effectively. The strap is ideal for muscles to warm-up, cool-down, or maintain general range of motion

Gain Control of Your Body Using Biofeedback

7/28/2011

Michelle Dela Rosa, PT is specially trained in using biofeedback, or Surface Electromyography (sEMG), to teach people how to gain control of natural body functions, like bladder or bowel control. It involves monitoring a life process (bio) and the return of that information in a meaningful form (feedback). It uses sensitive equipment to see or hear how your pelvic muscles are responding to instructions. Becoming aware of these responses is the first step in learning to control them. By combining this information with special exercises, you can learn to relax tense muscles or strengthen weak ones.

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