Discover 10 Myths About Your Clients or Patients “Lady Parts” That They Don’t Know About or Talk About – Part 1
Isa Herrera Video Series:
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is not something that people commonly talk about, even in the circle of professionals. As a matter of fact, most women don’t even know they suffer from this disorder, and for most professionals, it is a diagnosis that few are confident in making correctly.
For our patients or clients who do recognize something is not right with their “lady parts” and do tell a professional; they are often misdiagnosed and often given medication which only covers their symptoms and pain.
This is not right, and if you are reading this post, chances are you are concerned about the “lady parts” of your patients or clients and looking for some answers that will help you to serve your client list better.
With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, it is not always easy for a patient or client to ask for help and as a professional we may be not be equipped to assist them adequately.
Technology enables us to find information on this condition quickly. However, not all information out there on the internet is accurate, and by taking wrong information and offering a prescription or technique, you may run the risk of furthering the damage of your patient’s or client’s pelvic floor muscles.
And even when we ask well meaning and highly competent professionals about this, many are under-informed….heck, I had one lecture on this when I was getting my MSPT.
Because there are so many misconceptions and contradicting information out there, I want to set the record straight on several myths that surround pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
My whole purpose in giving you this information is because I care about you and I care about your clients and patients. As a woman and a mom, I have walked in the same shoes that many of my patients have. I had to find answers on my own I know how hard it can be. I did have a bit of an advantage because when I began my quest, I was already a MSPT, how difficult would it be if someone with no medical, PT or massage training searched for an answer? As it was, I had to really dig to find information and people who had knowledge of this condition.
I have made it my life’s mission to carry the message of healing surrounding pelvic floor dysfunction. And I am bringing that information to you.
As you read through the myths and truths, know that you are not alone, I have the expertise and experience as well as the resources to get you on the road to becoming competent and confident in bringing healing to your patients.
I am providing useful information that can truly assist your patients or clients in their time of need.
As you read, relate and meditate on the information I provide, understand that there is a solution to their condition and it does not require medication, expensive and complex equipment and your clients or patients will not need to schedule numerous appointments with other doctors, specialists, and professionals.
I can provide you with all the tools and knowledge so you don’t have to say in your head when you are talking to a patient or client “I can’t diagnose you, so I will refer you to someone else”…the doctor roadshow.
Now just so we are clear, I am not questioning your knowledge, skills, or your ability to treat patients, I have been a part of over 14,000 healing sessions, and I have had many patients tell me, they just kept getting referred from one specialist to another.
And I know you have said this to yourself, “Why did this patient get referred to me?”, (the last professional they saw), “that’s what they do.”
In my experience, massage therapists, birth professionals, physical therapists and occupational therapists have an advantage. Because of the nurturing nature of the profession, it is easy for us to get patients or clients to open up, because they have, in many cases, been through the doctor/specialist shuffle, and often come to us because we provide some temporary relief, healing and comfort if they do have pelvic floor dysfunction.
We always do our best to serve and treat our patients and clients. As you read further, you will become more educated on this condition. I am glad you are here, and I am honored that you are taking the time to read this, women all around need our knowledge and skill so that they can experience the freedom of healing.
Let’s address some of the myths that are currently circulating that you may have heard about.
Myth #1 – The Pelvic Floor Muscles only function is to maintain healthy bladder health and avoid leaking.
The PFM’s deal with more than just maintaining bladder health. These muscles are involved with sexual well-being, bowel movement health. Also, many women who suffer from menstrual cramps and who are unable to obtain orgasms may also have PFM dysfunction.
Myth #2 – Women that have experienced childbirth are the only ones who suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction.
Just because you have never been preggo and never experienced childbirth doesn’t mean you are exempt from this debilitating condition.
One of the functions of the pelvic floor muscles is to help to maintain pelvic and lumbar stability and organ support. Many athletes suffer injuries that are actually PFM dysfunction related because they have an unbalanced pelvic floor muscles that are either too tight or loose. This could be the result of too much strength training and not enough stretching.
In addition to athletes, many women who are overweight or defined as being obese suffer from PFM dysfunction. This is due to excessive pressure on the organs that results in a higher risk of organ prolapse and weakness within the “Down There Muscles.”
Myth #3 – There is something psychological wrong with you, or you just can’t achieve orgasms because you are just built that way.
Your clients best orgasms are ahead of them so tell them to get ready!!! The PFM’s are heavily involved and connected to sexual function and actively contribute to the strength, power, and duration of your orgasms. Unless you have experienced some sort of trauma it is not in your head; it can actually be a muscle thing that is correctable.
Pssst…I have something to tell you. One of the great rewards of our profession and also a sign your client is doing much better is when they come back for a follow up appointment, some with tears in their eyes, and they tell you that were able to have sex again, amazing sex with intense orgasms. Trust me; I have heard it all…when they are properly diagnosed, and with the implementation of certain exercises, amazing sex is the result.
Myth #4 – Kegel exercises are the Nirvana and holy grail for pelvic floor muscle healing.
Uhhh….I don’t think so! And trust me I have thousands of patients who can attest to this. Actually, Kegels can do more harm than good, and this exercise is not suitable for everyone. Doing too many Kegels in the wrong way can lead to more pelvic floor dysfunction.
In many instances, women need first to learn what I call the reverse Kegel and relax their muscles before you can safely contract your muscles in a Kegel exercise. When you know how to teach the Reverse Kegel properly, you will have an useful technique that will truly benefit your clients.
Myth #5 – Leaking during exercise or feeling pressure in the pelvis is normal.
Not even close. There is nothing ordinary about leaking during exercise, even if your client has kids. As a matter of fact, I have treated several marathon runners, endurance athletes, and triathletes who leak because their PFM cannot stabilize the pelvis nor dissipate the continually tightening and loosening of PFMs due to running and extended periods of continual movement.
Now that we have dispelled five myths associated with pelvic floor muscles I hope that you are getting a clearer understanding of the pelvic floor muscle. So many times the more aware we are of this part of the body, the easier it is to grasp the reality of condition we may have and then embrace the truth that a solution exists.
As I discuss each one of the myths, I am just scratching the surface and not digging too intensely into each myth.
The purpose of informing you of these myths is so that you can begin to have that conscious awareness of this condition so that as you engage with your clients, something they say may indicate they are suffering from this condition, and you will be able to assist them.
In the next post, I will continue to give you additional myths about the PFMs. In the interim if you have any questions, please reach out to us, we are here to assist and support you.
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