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EMPOWER PELVIC HEALTH
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is push prep?
Push prep is what we call late pregnancy pelvic floor physical therapy that is aimed at preparing mommas for the mechanics of labor and delivery.
It can:
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help reduce the risk of medical interventions during delivery
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help with positioning baby
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help teach breathing techniques to reduce the risk of prolapse
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teach mommas different positions to labor and push in to reduce the risk of tearing and the use of instruments
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empower mommas!
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Cancelling and Rescheduling Treatments
As a courtesy, you will receive a reminder via an email three days before your treatment and a text reminder two days and twenty-four hours before your treatment. Emily, our Patient Care Coordinator, will call you a week and 48hrs prior to your Initial Assessment and Treatment to confirm your appointment.
Should the need arise to reschedule or cancel your appointment, a 24hr advance notice is required. A 48hr advance notice is required for any appointment longer than 60 minutes.
Insufficient notice to reschedule or cancel your appointment may be subject to a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the cost of your scheduled treatment. All NO SHOWs will be assessed a charge equal to 100% of the cost of your scheduled treatment.
Can I come to my treatment if I am on my period?
YES! Absolutely, you can come to your appointment if you are on your period. We leave that up to your comfort level; it is not a limiting factor in your care. In fact, if your symptoms worsen particularly while menstruating, you and your PT may discuss having you come intentionally for a treatment on your period.
Treatments
Initial Assessment and Treatment - 90 minutes (first visit)
Follow-up Treatment - 60 minutes (all visits after first)
Two Hour Follow-up Treatment - 120 minutes (for out-of-town patients)
Orthopedic Initial Assessment and Treatment - 60 minutes
Orthopedic Follow-up Treatment - 60 minutes
What can I expect during my treatments?
Every appointment will be one-on-one with your physical therapist! You can expect to spend 90 minutes at your Initial Assessment and Treatment and 60 minutes at your Follow-up Treatments or Orthopedic Treatments. Each visit will include a comprehensive assessment, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, restorative and postural reeducation, and an individualized, tailored home exercise plan to supplement treatment between visits.
Do I need to shave or shower before my appointment?
NOPE! We do not care if you do not shave, shower, are a little sweaty, or what your genitals look like.
None of the above are limiting factors in your care for us!
What do I wear to my appointment?
We recommend wearing clothes you feel comfortable moving around in. We will not have you doing flips and tricks (unless you want to), but we will have you moving in various positions and need full range of motion.
Dresses, tight jeans/pants, high heels, restrictive blouses, etc. are not recommended.
How soon after delivery can I start my postpartum treatments?
We begin pelvic floor physical therapy as early as two weeks postpartum. We recommend early postpartum care in an effort to prevent the experience of common postpartum symptoms. Also, if you desire to return to exercise, or are already experiencing symptoms, we recommend scheduling your postpartum care. We will not begin internal work until you have your 6-week postpartum visit with your OBGYN/Midwife and are cleared, but we can work outside of the pelvic floor, treating indirectly and addressing any postural, muscular or strength/functional changes that have occurred during pregnancy.
When do I start push prep?
We usually start push prep with an Initial Assessment and Treatment during the 34th week of pregnancy and have mommas come in for Follow-up Treatments weekly until delivery (this is our normal, but we do see mommas before 34-weeks). We may invite a partner to one or two Follow-up Treatments if they will be in the delivery room with momma.
When do I schedule push prep?
Ideally, we recommend scheduling push prep treatments during the second trimester to guarantee a time that is most convenient for you.
Why is homework important?
Homework is an extension of the care a patient receives during their treatment visits. It is an individualized combination of things you do throughout the day and some corrective exercises that target your specific muscle imbalances, movement impairments and the like. Consistency with homework is directly related to the progress a patient sees during care.
What is a plan of care?
A plan of care is a patients frequency of visits and their specific homework. A plan of care is established for each patient at the beginning of their care based upon the clinical findings of your Initial Assessment and Treatment and is updated as a patient progresses and sees symptom resolution. Your PT and you will agree on a plan of care (weekly, biweekly, etc.) and any changes made will be discussed with your PT before they are reflected on the schedule. Consistency with homework and with treatments is essential to the progress you see during care.
Do I need a referral?
No! Texas is a direct access state meaning you are able to see a Licensed Physical Therapist without an immediate referral to physical therapy from your doctor. This means the sooner you begin treatment for an injury or dysfunction, the faster your recovery time will be! After completion of your Initial Assessment and Treatment, a detailed Plan of Care will be sent to your provider of choice (Family Doctor, OBGYN, Midwife or Chiropractor, etc.) to include them as part of your medical team.
Do we treat male patients?
Absolutely! Men have a pelvic floor, and they too can suffer from pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, and bladder and bowel dysfunction just like women. Many urologists in the area refer their male patients to us, and we can help!
Do we treat on the weekends?
We do not currently provide care on the weekends. Our clinic hours are Monday, 8am - 6pm, and Tuesday through Friday, 7:30am - 6:30pm.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! While we do recommend acquiring childcare, if possible, we are a child friendly office. We understand that motherhood, and fatherhood, are your priority and do not want parenthood to prevent you from getting the care you need.
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