Pelvic floor therapy experts Lisa Janson, PT, and Melissa Gillis, OTR/L MPA, are co-owners of Core Plus Pelvic Therapy in Mechanicsburg. Core Plus has been treating abdomen and pelvis disorders and conditions since 2011, offering services from therapists with more than 40 years of combined experience in their specialities. Here, Janson and Gillis share everything you need to know about pelvic floor therapy and why it may be an option for you.
Q: WHAT IS CORE PLUS PELVIC THERAPY?
Gillis: Core Plus Pelvic Therapy is a practice dedicated to the treatment of disorders and conditions specific to the space of our bodies known as the abdomen and pelvis. We also see women and men for conditions that interfere with the normal functioning of their pelvic region. Inside the pelvis are muscles and nerves just like everywhere else. They are just encased within the pelvic area and require more specialized rehabilitative therapy. Because we are treating the pelvis, our patients require one-to-one therapy, which is difficult to get in traditional therapy settings.
Q: WHAT IS PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY?
Janson:Pelvic floor therapy (aka pelvic health therapy) is an area of therapy focusing on correcting or improving issues that may have affected oneʼs pelvic floor muscles and/or abdominal core muscles.
From the Mayo Clinic website: Pelvic floor disorders affect many people. Up to 25% of adults have urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, sexual problems or pelvic organ prolapse. The risk can increase with age, during or after pregnancy or for people who suffer from chronic constipation.
Q: WHAT SERVICES DOES CORE PLUS PELVIC THERAPY OFFER?
Janson: After we complete an initial evaluation (which includes a thorough history, physical exam and review of our patient's goals), we determine the best treatment plan. Our treatment plan is very specific for each patient, and education is paramount for all diagnoses. We want each patient to understand the ‘whys and hows’ of their diagnosis and treatment.
Gillis: We offer occupational and physical therapy with treatments that include manual therapy, functional exercises and stretching, scar management, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and lots of education on breath management, posture, positioning and functional recovery.
Q: DESCRIBE YOUR CLIENTELE & WHO SEEKS YOUR SERVICES.
Janson: We provide services to men and women of all ages. Over the last few years, weʼve been seeing more young women wishing to make their pregnancy, delivery experience and/or postpartum recovery as seamless as possible. We are also seeing more patients contact our office directly after hearing from a friend or family member about our services. We also have been receiving referrals from a very diverse physician population (initially our referrals came mostly from gynecologists, urologists and gastroenterologists). Our specialty is becoming known.
Gillis: Diagnoses that you might hear include urinary or fecal incontinence, urinary urgency, constipation, chronic prostatitis, endometriosis, fibroids, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, coccydynia. We also see orthopedic conditions such as tailbone pain or posttailbone fracture.
Q: WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START THIS PRACTICE?
Janson: I have been practicing as a pelvic health PT since 1999. In 2011, two pelvic health therapist colleagues and myself realized that we could do a better job promoting pelvic health therapy while providing better services if we left the corporate outpatient setting.
Gillis: I knew back in the early 2000s that I wanted to end up treating these patients in the outpatient setting. At that time, I was in administration full time, but saw so many issues with the treatment of pelvic floor conditions that I knew this is where I belonged.
Q: IS THERE A STIGMA OR MISUNDERSTANDING AROUND PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY? IF SO, HOW ARE YOU WORKING TO CHANGE THAT AND EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ON THE BENEFITS OF YOUR PRACTICE?
Janson: Certainly when we first started there was probably a stigma because people didn’t understand what we did. Although pelvic floor therapy was ‘discovered’ in the late 1970s, it wasn’t truly integrated into practice until the late 1990s. Like all new things, it has taken a long time to come into the mainstream.
"Up To 25% Of Adults Have Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Pain, Pelvic Pressure, Sexual Problems Or Pelvic Organ Prolapse."
Gillis: I think some clients may have concerns about coming to our setting because when they think of “physical” therapy, they envision a gym with lots of machines and mats. While physical functioning and exercise is a vital part of our program, most of our clients are taught exercises to do at home and are seen here one time per week.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TRYING YOUR SERVICES BUT MAY FEEL NERVOUS, HESITANT OR EVEN A BIT OF SHAME AROUND NEEDING THEM?
Janson: We are all very committed therapists, and we understand how uncomfortable talking about these sensitive issues can be. Personally, I experienced bladder control issues after a complicated delivery. I speak openly about my journey and my success. We ensure complete privacy during each and every visit. Each treatment room is completely private. We communicate our plan clearly and openly. We encourage questions and respect oneʼs limits. It is our goal to make talking about these uncomfortable issues comfortable.
Q: WALK ME BRIEFLY THROUGH THE PROCESS, STARTING DAY 1, OF A CLIENT JOINING CORE PLUS PHYSICAL THERAPY.
Gillis: The patient completes standardized questionnaires and the typical intake forms related to their condition prior to seeing the therapist. Then, they are greeted and escorted back to the treatment room, where a full evaluation is performed. The patient has been educated on the pelvic floor using models that we have available. We proceed with the evaluation and then provide the patient with a home program after their first session.
Q: WHAT DO MOST OF YOUR CLIENTS SAY AFTER THEY’VE GONE THROUGH YOUR PROGRAM/THERAPIES?
Gillis: Most of my clients say that they were not aware of their pelvic and abdominal region before and are happy that they are better.
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD OR ANYTHING YOU THINK THE READERS NEED TO KNOW?
Janson: We are a small practice, and the vibe is friendly, beginning with the first interaction on the phone or in person. Our receptionists set the stage—they are kind and welcoming. And our therapists are professional and very easy to talk with. We love what we do, and it shows!
