Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy works to restore function to the pelvic region. This form of therapy may contain pelvic floor muscle reeducation, pain desensitization, bowel and bladder retraining, breath work, postural and gait modifications, and diet and fluid intake assessment.
What is special about Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists are trained to assess not only the client, but their environment, and the activities of their daily life. These factors all combine to impact your body’s ability to function and participate in life as you want to live it. An occupational therapist takes these factors into account when creating a treatment plan. In the field of occupational therapy, the teamwork between clinician and client is integral to the healing process. The therapist and client work together to ensure the client’s needs are known and met.
What conditions and symptoms do you treat?
Bladder or bowel dysfunction
Pain with sex
Prolapse
Diastasis Recti
Pelvic floor muscle concerns
Generalized core pain and weakness
Generalized pelvic pain
Pre-natal and post-natal pelvic floor and core health
Bladder pain
Tailbone pain
Recovery following gender affirmation surgery
Recovery following organ resections, neo-organs
Recovery following general bodily injury or post-surgery to return to everyday function
Do you provide occupational therapy services for areas of the body other than the pelvic floor?
Yes, as a trained, licensed occupational therapist with experience working with all types of injury and disability, I also provide services to help heal other areas of the body. Pelvic Therapy NYC focuses on strengthening, regaining function, and participating in daily life activities no matter the ailment.
Do you offer other physical fitness services, like private yoga sessions?
Yes, I am also a trained yoga instructor. I use my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and our nervous system’s connection to the breath in all of my treatment plans. While yoga may influence the home exercise plan for a pelvic floor client, I also offer private yoga sessions for those who are looking to focus on a more comprehensive unity of body and mind.
What is trauma-informed care?
Pelvic Therapy NYC provides trauma-informed care. This means that the client’s physical and emotional safety is the number one concern during our treatment and work together. Practitioners will ask for consent and check on the client’s comfort level throughout services. Confidentiality is non-negotiable and the client is the driver of the treatment plan.
What is a pelvic floor session like?
After our complimentary consultation call you will receive a questionnaire about your symptoms. During the initial evaluation, we will discuss your symptoms and you will explain to me how you feel and how it impacts your life. We will perform an internal or external pelvic floor evaluation, based on your needs and comfort level. We will assess postural mobility and asymmetries in the body and review the pelvic floor anatomy and function. We discuss findings and come up with a treatment plan. Follow-up visits often include myofascial release techniques, movement rehabilitation, and/or lifestyle modification strategies. All follow-up visits will assess progress, modify treatment where necessary, and continue improvement toward optimum function.
How long is a pelvic floor session?
Before our first visit, I like to offer a free consultation call to introduce myself and to answer any of your questions. We will then schedule a date for an initial evaluation, which will be about 60-90 minutes long. Follow up sessions will be approximately 45-60 minutes long.
Where do services take place?
There are several options. Services can take place in the comfort of your home so you do not have to travel to receive care. Alternatively, clients can be seen in my home office in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn or via telehealth where the clinician sends you a secure video link to your computer or cell phone. No matter the environment, we will plan exercises and practice your everyday movements based on your individual lifestyle. We will evaluate and take into account the real setting where your activities normally occur. Practicing in or simulating a real-life setting is an evidence-based way to improve health outcomes.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth means using technology to communicate and access health care services on a device like your computer or your phone. I will send a secure link to your email to have a confidential video session to provide pelvic floor therapy services virtually.
What are your rates?
Rates vary depending on context. Please contact Katie here for more information. Pelvic Therapy NYC offers a free evaluation to anyone who is a survivor of intimate partner violence or sexual assault.
Do you offer sliding scale rates?
Yes, please contact Katie here for more information.
Do you offer group services?
Yes, Pelvic Therapy NYC offers a group rate for workshops. A workshop will include a pelvic floor anatomy and function overview, behavior modification, postural assessment, and exercises for healthy pelvic floor function. Please contact Katie here for more information.
Do you take insurance?
No, I don’t take insurance - however I will provide you with a receipt or superbill that may be used to submit a claim for reimbursement to your insurance provider. I also offer sliding scale rates.
Do I need a prescription or referral from my doctor to receive occupational therapy services?
Yes, eventually. We can have our consultation call and initial evaluation without an occupational therapy referral or a pelvic floor referral (otherwise known as a prescription). Following the evaluation, a prescription should be obtained from a doctor. We can discuss this more in detail should you have any questions.
Do you perform internal exams?
Yes, depending on the client. All evaluative and assessment measures are provided as per your comfort level and with your consent. In addition to external exams and questionnaires, I may perform an internal exam to further evaluate the muscle and tissue with the client’s consent. This can be discussed in more detail on a case-by-case basis.
Links to articles about the benefits of pelvic floor therapy and pelvic floor function:
American Occupational Therapy Association
Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy