Shows
Pelvic PT RisingWe Hit 1 Million Downloads! 🎉 What We've Learned on the JourneyRising to the Occasion: Celebrating 1 Million DownloadsWe made it – 1 MILLION downloads of the Pelvic PT Rising podcast! 🎉In this very special episode, we (Nicole & Jesse) take a step back and reflect on what this milestone means – and what we’ve learned after 500+ episodes of sharing our thoughts, rants, and reflections with this incredible community.We talk about:How the podcast got started (and the cringe factor of early episodes)Why mentorship and community are so crucial in pelvic healthWhat we’ve seen change in the field since launching R...
2025-06-2332 minPelvic PT Rising5 Ways to Use the Cozean Screening ProtocolWe created the Cozean Screening Protocol because we wanted a way to help patients and other practitioners realize when pelvic floor dysfunction was causing symptoms.We first published this as a poster at IPPS. Using PelvicSanity as our site we reviewed patient intake forms and charts to see what symptoms or history were most predictive of pelvic floor dysfunction. And after running some cool statistics the Cozean Screening Protocol was created. Anyone answering 'yes' to 3 or more of the questions has more than a 90% chance of having pelvic floor dysfunction.You can absolutely download and use...
2024-03-2521 minPelvic PT RisingBreaking News - Do Vaginal Dilators Require a Prescription?**Breaking News** We dive into the controversy this week over whether or not vaginal dilators require a prescription.We've spent the better part of this week gathering facts, asking questions and helping us all understand the regulatory requirements around vaginal dilators. We need to understand what's true so we can make sure patients are well informed.Fun fact - this is actually Jesse's wheelhouse. He spent almost 10 years working as a consultant for companies in dealings with the FDA. He's worked with both medical devices and drugs, designed clinical trials and received approvals and clearances for...
2024-02-2419 minPelvic PT RisingInterrupting Your PatientDoes the thought of interrupting your patient make you feel deeply uncomfortable?As a field we pride ourselves on allowing our patients to tell their full story. To ensuring they feel heard. And that's critically important.But....there's a need for us, as providers, to reclaim control of the conversation, finding the balance between deeply understanding patient narratives and being efficient in diagnosis.We discuss the delicate art of interrupting; it's not simply about cutting them off, but doing so tactfully with the confidence of a clinician and the empathy of a caregiver.
2023-07-2030 minPelvic PT RisingRevolutionizing Male Pelvic Health: An Interview with Jake BartholomyTalking all things male pelvic health with Dr. Jake Bartholomy - can't wait for you to get his unique perspective!A trailblazer in our field, you'll hear about what it was like as a male pelvic therapist in continuing education courses and how his reception has changed over time.We also dive into important topics in the field. We discuss why Pelvic Health 1 is solely a vagina-focused course, and the implications for our specialty. Get ready to hear all about Jake's insights into the industry, how it's evolved and what still needs to be done to...
2023-07-1737 minPelvic PT RisingUnseen Heroes of Business Success: A Look at Partner and Family SupportThe road to business success is rarely a solo journey. We're putting the spotlight on the often-unseen, yet crucial, role of partner and family support in the business world. The comparison trap, when we hold up our business against misleading social media portrayals and how 'others' are doing, leads to unfair expectations and undermine your progress. We teach how to assess the kind of support you're currently receiving. And we delve into the complexities of partner and family involvement in your journey, highlighting both their potential benefits and pitfalls. If you’re ready to opt...
2023-07-1327 minPelvic PT RisingDo you Need a July Reboot?Hard to believe we're halfway through 2023! But if we want things to be different when the new year rolls around, it's a perfect time for a 'July Reboot.'This is something we do in our mentorship programs where we zoom out, evaluate how the year is going and refocus on the most important things for the rest of the year.Whether you're an entrepreneur or working for someone else, this is a perfect excuse to see if you're on track to hit your goals!So take a look at your overall goals f...
2023-07-0618 minPelvic PT RisingJust Take That Vacation!What vacation are you putting off? Whether it's a week-long overseas trip or a long weekend getaway....here's the permission (that you absolutely don't need) to just take it!Burnout is a huge problem in our pelvic rehab community. And often we're playing 'catch-up', trying to deal with issues after they've come up. But by being proactive we can avoid ever getting to that point!We can be dissuaded from taking time off by our employer and their policies. By our own sense of guilt in leaving our patients. By the pressure of building our own b...
2023-07-0338 minPelvic PT RisingYou Don't Have a Marketing ProblemWhen the schedule isn't full at our clinic, we often jump to 'we need to do more marketing!' But is that really true?In this 'sode we dive into other reasons your schedule may not be full, might have big variations week to week, or start full and gradually fall apart with cancellations.We usually find marketing isn't the most important factor in determining your schedule.This 'sode dives into other areas like sales, conversions, website design and Clinical Excellence to uncover why the schedule isn't staying full - check it out!
2023-06-2935 minPelvic PT RisingEndometriosis: A Missing PieceSo what's a big missing piece for endometriosis?Treating endo is a complicated process. We can address many of the symptoms and quarterback our patient's care. But we can't address the underlying disease process, hormones, or potential complications.So our 'A Missing Piece' for endo is working closely with a true endo specialist. If you aren't referring to one, you can look in your area at www.iCareBetter.com. Make sure you know someone you can send your endo - or suspected endo - patients to who will provide world-class care.Chec...
2023-06-2631 minPelvic PT Rising18 Business Lessons in 3 MinutesJoin us as we cover 18 essential lessons for business in 3 minutes!These lessons are from modules of the Business Accelerator Program (which opens today!). All of these lessons fall into the 3 Pillars of a Successful Business - Marketing & Sales, Biz Systems and Clinical Excellence.We'll be doing a deep dive in the program into each of these topics, but hopes this gives you ideas for areas of your business you can continue to improve!Business AcceleratorIf you're a current business owner and you aren't making as m...
2023-06-2220 minPelvic PT RisingConstipation: A Missing PieceIn today's 'sode we tackle constipation.This is far more common than most people realize. In a study we conducted at PelvicSanity and published at IPPS, we found 69% of patients who came in for other symptoms (pelvic pain, prolapse, incontinence, etc.) had constipation as well.Our missing piece for constipation? Bringing it back to the basics.Often we make this more complicated than it needs to be. We suggest major dietary changes to our patients (which are hard to comply with). We work on changing posture. We jump to techniques like rectal balloon treat...
2023-06-1925 minPelvic PT RisingAccelerating Your BusinessAre you a current business owner looking to take your practice to the next level?Business is hard. It's not something we're trained for. We have to learn and grow. And business growth requires personal growth.In this 'sode we talk about what holds us back, how to grow, the value of coaching and the 3 Pillars of Business.We also give the details of the Pelvic Business Accelerator Program - if you're a current business owner, make sure to check it out!Business AcceleratorIf you're a cur...
2023-06-1551 minPelvic PT RisingMale Pelvic Pain: A Missing PieceA lot of times with male pelvic pain - particularly pain in the testicals, scrotum, or penile pain - we'll jump right to breathing and/or treating the pelvic floor.But a missing piece for these patients is the spermatic cord.Running along the inguinal canal, the spermatic cord carries nerves and blood vessels integral to the system. Often this area is tender, inflamed or tight when dealing with male pelvic pain. This is definitely something we're assessing and treating within the first few visits with those dealing with penile, testicular, or scrotal pa...
2023-06-1227 minPelvic PT RisingWhy 86% of Business Owners Aren't Meeting Their Financial GoalsIn a recent survey we conducted, almost 9 in 10 business owners said they weren't hitting their financials goals or needs with the business. In fact - thanks so much to nearly 200 of you who filled it out! - we found the following:86.4% of business owners aren't meeting their financial goals85% believe they could have a larger impact69% aren't comfortable taking a vacation67% don't have time for physical or emotional self-care66% aren't working the days and times they wantThese are a recipe for entrepreneurial burnout. And when we aren't doing well ourselves, we can't be 100% for ou...
2023-06-0836 minPelvic PT RisingTailbone Pain: A Missing PieceWhat's something we overlook or miss when it comes to treating tailbone pain?Remember that tailbone pain is a non-specific diagnosis. It's just as description of symptoms!So it's up to us to do a true differential diagnosis and understand the 'why' of what is going on.But something I think we miss is treating rectally in quadruped. Why quadruped? Well, it's the best position - in my opinion - to approximate the hip flexion and position where most patients experience their tailbone pain. It gives us a lot of control over...
2023-06-0524 minPelvic PT RisingThe 7 Metrics You Need to be Tracking In Your BusinessHow can we keep track of all the things in our business that are crucial....without being overwhelmed?That's the challenge. And too often, it's easier to just bury our head in the sand instead of routinely checking in on the business.The things you track need to be both important and actionable. In this 'sode, we give you our top 7 things to track.How many of them do you know right now? Reach out and tell us!Business AcceleratorAre you an existing pelvic health business own...
2023-06-0122 minPelvic PT RisingVulvodynia: A Missing PieceWhat's something we often overlook or miss when it comes to vulvodynia?Well, first it's important to recognize vulvodynia is just as non-specific as 'low back pain.' It literally just means 'pain in the vulva.'We could have gone a few different ways with a missing piece - rectal treatment, looking at the urachus and belly button, lumbar referral patterns, hip referrals, or more. It's a complex diagnosis.But a missing piece for vulvodynia is evaluation and treatment of the perineal fascia.With the presentation of vulvodynia, it's almost im...
2023-05-2922 minPelvic PT RisingClinical Excellence in BusinessMany of us start our own practice - at least in part - to treat the way we believe.But are we actually practicing what we preach? Getting clinical buy-in from our patients is incredibly important but often overlooked. Most business coaches won't even mention the clinical side of the practice.But for us, clinical excellence and buy-in is one of the three pillars of a thriving business (along with Marketing & Sales and Business Systems). If you have just one of these, your business will struggle. If you have two, you'll survive. B...
2023-05-2528 minPelvic PT RisingPudendal Neuralgia: A Missing PieceWhat's something that's misunderstood or overlooked when treating complex patients with pudendal neuralgia? This is often one of the most intimidating diagnoses we work with.It's easy to hyperfocus on the path of the pudendal nerve, but a missing piece is actually the posterior cutaneous femoral nerve.In fact, it's almost impossible for 'pudendal neuralgia' to only involve the pudendal nerve! This is why nerve blocks often don't address all symptoms or symptoms spread beyond the immediate pathway of the pudendal.Medical Procedures MasterclassIf you'd like to...
2023-05-2223 minPelvic PT Rising5 Things We've Changed Since MotherhoodHappy Mother's Day! In this special Mother's Day 'sode - our first as new parents! - we wanted to discuss some of the changes we've made at PelvicSanity as the result of our own experiences.Some of those are in our thinking. Others in the physical layout of the space. How we signal to our patients that 'we get it.' And another is building more resiliency - check out the full 'sode!Clinical CoursesAll of the Rising clinical courses are designed to challenge the way you think and make you...
2023-05-1527 minPelvic PT RisingPros and Cons of a Mobile PracticeStarting a mobile practice can be an attractive option. Many new business owners use this as a side hustle as they continue to work, or build a 'concierge' practice as they grow.In this 'sode (prompted by a listener question!) we dive into the Pros and Cons of a Mobile practice.Many of our mentees in the Rising Family have started this way - many have switched over to a brick & mortar practice, while others are thriving in the mobile model.We'll talk about what you should do as you start, the advantages o...
2023-05-1136 minPelvic PT RisingInterstitial Cystitis: A Missing PieceFor interstitial cystitis, a common 'missing piece' is neural tension of the sciatic nerve.It's a testament to how difficult IC is to treat we considered a few other 'missing pieces.' We thought about highlighting the 'IC Diet', superficial pelvic floor muscles, constipation, urachus, inner thighs, calves or ischiorectal fascia. But we kept coming back to the sciatic nerve and the major role it plays in urinary urgency, frequency and/ or interstitial cystitis.In this 'sode we discuss the evaluation and treatment of neural tension and how it can transform how you t...
2023-05-0825 minPelvic PT RisingPros and Cons of a Cash-Based PracticeWe're taking an honest look at the pros and cons of working in a cash practice.As most of you know, PelvicSanity is a cash practice and we've been working without interacting with insurance companies for more than 7 years.But that might not be the right decision for everyone. So we want to lay out the pros and cons. Whether you're a 'wannabe' considering your options or an already established business wanting to make sure you got it right, this should help!Clinical - CashCash practice gets insurance co...
2023-05-0430 minPelvic PT RisingDiastasis Recti: A Missing PieceWhen it comes to diastasis recti, a missing piece is often the back.We're often focused on the front....because, well, that's where the diastasis is! We'll engage the transversus abdominus and strengthen the core muscles.Many times we'll focus on the front until and unless things aren't going well, before finally looking for other contributing factors.But the diastasis is often a result of a problem in the system, and originating in the back. We can even ask patients to do things (ie: stack the ribcage over the pelvis) they may lack th...
2023-05-0122 minPelvic PT RisingAbundance Mindset or Neurotic Mess - Your Choice!How can we stop driving ourselves crazy by comparing to our competitors? Worrying about what they are doing? Feeling like they are 'taking our patients?'It's not easy. We're competitive. We care. But ultimately we need to cultivate an abundance mindset or drive ourselves crazy with comparison.Here are five ideas that might help when it comes to cultivating an abundance mindset: Do the math! There are so many more people with pelvic health issues than we'll ever be able to see. Even in a small town, if we get even 1% of those who coul...
2023-04-2729 minPelvic PT RisingPelvic Organ Prolapse: A Missing PieceOne thing we often miss when treating prolapse is a functional/standing assessment.If an orthopedic patient came in complaining of pain with walking and running, would we do our entire examination with them sitting or laying down? Absolutely not!And yet, isn't that exactly what we're doing for our patients with prolapse if we aren't doing a standing assessment?It's entirely possible a patient with prolapse will never be evaluated - by their OB or their pelvic rehab provider - in the position where they experience their symptoms.In this...
2023-04-2424 minPelvic PT RisingChallenging a Patient's Firmly Held BeliefHow do we help our patients past their limiting or incorrect beliefs? This is always a challenging conversation.Maybe they're drinking a ton of water. Or been told about the 'IC diet'. Or believe they have nerve damage. Or have heard some other fear-based narrative.This topic comes out of a recent PelvicSanity 'Clinical Collective' training.The first thing is to assess just how firmly held the belief is. We often assume it's something they strongly believe, when many times it's just the only thing they've been told. Or they actually wish it wasn't...
2023-04-2030 minPelvic PT RisingStress Urinary Incontinence: A Missing PieceOne thing we often miss with stress urinary incontinence is a focus on the task and timing of our patient's issues.Often we jump right to voluntary pelvic floor strength. After all, that's what we're taught in our introductory pelvic health courses.But pelvic health strength isn't really correlated with urinary incontinence.A patient can have a pelvic floor that tests as weak but not have any symptoms.A patient can have an pelvic floor testing as strong with massive urinary incontinence problems.Isolated strength alone tells us almost n...
2023-04-1721 minPelvic PT RisingFrom Burned Out to Business Women: An Interview with Melanie Abbott and Noelle EadsAfter working together for almost a decade, Melanie and Noelle were tired, frustrated and burned out. They were always having to fight – the insurance companies, their employers, the system the worked in – for their patients.It became so bad Noelle was dealing with stress-related anxiety and medical issues and considering leaving the physical therapy profession!Then they started their own practice and everything changed. Founders of Empassion Pelvic Health and members of the Pelvic PT Rising Family, Melanie and Noelle have created a multi-six figure business in less than six months.They are a perf...
2023-04-1341 minPelvic PT RisingPost-Partum Evaluation: A Missing PieceAre you prioritizing a thorough evaluation of the thoracic spine and rib cage in your post-partum patients?Often we get so excited we've got someone in post-partum we jump right to the pelvic floor. Maybe the abdominals to assess for diastasis. Looking at the hips and SI joint.But sometimes the missing piece can be the thoracic spine. It can be causing pain itself or contributing to pelvic floor issues.The ribs and diaphragm undergo major changes during pregnancy. Then, in post-partum, there are a whole new set of demands on the mid and...
2023-04-1021 minPelvic PT RisingEnforcing a Cancellation Policy Isn't "Mean"Whether you're in business for yourself or working for someone else, late cancellations and no-shows are always a challenging conversation.Many of us feel uncomfortable with enforcing a cancellation policy. But if we don't enforce one we're doing a disservice to ourselves, our staff, and our patients themselves.So why do we have a late cancellation fee?Fairness to other patients so they are able to get inRespect for our timeRespect for the processRecouping lost costs to the businessNotice that the financial aspect is (deliberately) the least important on that list!
2023-04-0629 minPelvic PT Rising$#!t That Needs to Be Said: Volume 1There's some sass in today's 'sode! Maybe we've finally just gotten enough sleep, but we're bringing some thoughts we've had.These topics weren't enough to do a full 'sode about any one of them, but we came up with 10 things that really need to be said. Some are going to have you cheering, some are controversial, but we hope all make you think.We talk about CEUs, calling yourself a pelvic therapist, what experience really means, how to get the most out of mentorship, and work-life balance. Check out the full 'sode for all...
2023-04-0328 minPelvic PT Rising'Sode 300: Answering Listener QuestionsSo incredibly grateful for all who have listened and supported us through these first 300 'sodes!Today we go through some of our listener questions, reflect on our journey to this point and share a little more about the behind-the-scenes of the podcast. Hope you enjoy, and here's to 300 more!Clinical CoursesAll of the Rising clinical courses are designed to challenge the way you think and make you more confident in your clinical practice. All online and go-at-your-own pace, you'll have lifetime access to the lectures and handouts. Check out all the...
2023-03-3023 minPelvic PT Rising6 Habits to Improve Your Work LifeWhat are some daily habits to increase happiness at work, your longevity in the field and your work-life balance? Check out the full 'sode!Habits are just actions we perform automatically. Our brain makes them easy. So let's harness the power of these habits to make work better. Here are a few - any of these you struggle with? Let us know!Arrive 10 minutes early to review your day's scheduleDrink water throughout the dayHave a reset ritual between each patientAssess your position multiple times each sessionFinish your notes - that day!End of day reset...
2023-03-2724 minPelvic PT RisingFinding Confidence in Running a Business: An Interview with Paige Genova, Pelvic OTPaige has a unique perspective as a Pelvic OT and business owner. She's overcome limiting beliefs, found confidence in her business and created an incredible practice providing service to those in her local community.In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss her decision to start a business with young children and a husband with a demanding job, her training as an OT and how she sees the pelvic health landscape, and the confidence she's built as a business owner.In the last nine months Paige has grown her business from just her to multiple clinicians, an a...
2023-03-2351 minPelvic PT RisingStop Practicing Pelvic Rehab Through EmailHow much time and energy are you spending communicating with patients outside their session?This is one of the first things we train in our PelvicSanity onboarding process - email communication. If we don't have strict boundaries this can lead to burnout, frustration and the feeling like you're always working. And worse, it can be counter-productive for your patients!If you've ever gotten that dreaded 5-paragraph email from a patient, you know exactly what we're talking about. It's probably taken up a lot of mental energy. Maybe you went home thinking about it. Plann...
2023-03-2029 minPelvic PT RisingHow to Introduce Yourself to PatientsAre you starting off on the wrong foot with your patients?How we introduce ourselves is critical. It sets the tone for the relationship. It alleviates anxiety in our patients. And it creates trust and authority when we do it well, but uncertainty if we do it poorly.And it's even more important if you're new in pelvic health or if you look young! If you're getting questions about how old you are or how long you've done this, it often traces back to your introduction.Check out how we train our clinicians to intr...
2023-03-1630 minPelvic PT RisingHow ANY Exercise Can Be a Pelvic Floor ExerciseIn every other way we strengthen, our goal is to best mimic the real world challenge. We do this in ortho, in sports-specific training.....so why not pelvic health?When starting to take introductory pelvic health classes, one thing left me confused - when are we doing volitional contractions in real life? Sure, occasionally when we're really trying to hold back urine as we find a bathroom.But approaching pelvic health through an ortho lens, it never made sense to me why we wouldn't be trying to approximate the real life challenges our patients go th...
2023-03-1327 minPelvic PT RisingCreating Sustainability in Life and Business: An Interview with Donna ChiaoAfter feeling burnt out at two different jobs, Donna realized it was time for a change. Even though the jobs were great, they left her feeling like she could be doing more. Continuing to change jobs to combat burnout just wasn’t a sustainable plan.She jumped into starting Foundations Pelvic Health during the pandemic and never looked back. She’s now filled her schedule, hired a front desk position, built out a space and hired another clinician – and she’s not done yet. One of her major emphases is building a model that serves her, her emp...
2023-03-0944 minPelvic PT RisingHow to Make More Money As An EmployeeLooking to make more at your current job? We give you the inside scoop on what your employer cares about. (And, if you own your practice, this is how you want to evaluate your staff!).The short answer to increasing your earning potential is to provide more value to your employer. The right lens for thinking about increases in pay is value. How can I provide more value to the company? If you do (and if your employer is fair) you should be able to increase your earning potential.What (likely) won't get you m...
2023-03-0632 minPelvic PT RisingCreating Boundaries in Your Biz: An Interview with Tiffany Dallas-KishNot only has she grown her practice significantly, Tiffany now has more time. How? Boundaries.In this interview with Tiffany, founder of GOAL Physical Therapy, we reflect on her business growth. Originally a mobile practice, Tiffany pivoted to a brick & mortar practice. Along the way she had to overcome some major money mindset issues, time sucking nonsense (TSN) and other challenges in the business.Along the way she's created a six-figure business for herself, while still giving herslef time for self-care and family.Tiffany has done an amazing job of crafting her...
2023-03-0242 minPelvic PT RisingPushing Outside Your Comfort Zone: An Interview with Megan BengtsonMegan’s career in physical therapy seems to be about pushing outside her comfort zone. She made the leap into pelvic health. Then into starting a pelvic health program. And finally into her own business.In this honest and powerful interview, Megan shares how she’s managed to make peace with being uncomfortable, started to love connecting on the phone with patients, and found her stride as a business owner.And her results have been outstanding – she’s crated a six-figure business, hired a front desk and another physical therapist, and is bursting at the seams after...
2023-02-2335 minPelvic PT RisingOur Pregnancy Journey: Navigating the Process For Your PatientWe use our own personal pregnancy journey to discuss ways we can better support our patients through the process.We want to be the trusted resource for them when - not if, but when! - issues arise.Those can be pelvic health related, or completely independent. Throughout my pregnancy I had recurring foot pain and leg swelling; I went to my team at PelvicSanity for help!We hope our journey gives you a different perspective on working with our pregnant patients and some things to consider in your clinical practice! Cl...
2023-02-2040 minPelvic PT RisingOur Journey of Grief and Hope: Supporting Patients Through Pregnancy LossIn another personal 'sode we share our own challenges with pregnancy loss and how it's changed Nicole's clinical practice and how we interact with those experiencing loss.(We do discuss our pregnancy loss in detail in this 'sode - if that may be triggering for you, please skip it or ignore it entirely)Our journey has included a second-trimester loss, a first-trimester loss and a failed IVF transfer. It's led to several medical procedures, two ER visits and a bout with sepsis.We hope our story can provide more clarity on how we i...
2023-02-141h 03Pelvic PT RisingShedding Expectations and Limiting Beliefs: An Interview with Roxi RobertsWhat happens when a dreamer puts action to her goals? Roxi Roberts is a perfect example.With Good Life Pelvic Health in a rural community in Kansas, Roxi has shed the expectations of others and limiting beliefs. One of her big limiting beliefs? You can’t build a cash-based pelvic health practice in a rural community.But even as she had her doubts, Roxi rolled up her sleeves and got to work. As she said, “this dream won’t make itself happen.” Since making the decision to start, she’s put one foot in front of the...
2023-02-0940 minPelvic PT RisingOur IVF Journey: How to Support Patients Through Fertility TreatmentsWe get personal in this 'sode, talking about our own IVF journey, challenges and (ultimately) a healthy baby boy (Clay!).We learned so much from going through it ourselves, and feel there is so much our profession can do to support those going through fertility challenges.Hear our first-hand account of the IVF process and how it changed our clinical practice and our policies at PelvicSanity!Clinical CoursesAll of the Rising clinical courses are designed to challenge the way you think and make you more confident in your...
2023-02-061h 02Pelvic PT RisingStarting a Practice Later in Your Career: An Interview with Juliet SarjeantIs it still worth starting a practice later in your career? For Juliet, at least, the answer is a resounding 'Yes!'After two decades in the field of pelvic health, Juliet took the leap to start her own practice. You'll hear about the evolution of her clinical practice, how she's constantly striving to improve, and what prompted her to start her own business.Even in Canada, with nationalized health care, there has been a line out the door for Juliet's services and she's had a wait list almost since she started. She's gro...
2023-02-0239 minPelvic PT RisingIntegrating Standing and Dynamic Assessments Into your PracticeOur patients don’t live on their backs….so we do we often treat them like they do?Nicole shares how she first started treating in standing positions – spoiler alert! She was nervous the first time she did – and why it’s so important to her clinical practice.You’ll be surprised, almost every time, how different what you feel in standing is from what you’ve felt in supine.One of our maxims is ‘assess, don’t guess’ – if you’re not assessing the pelvic floor in standing and in dynamic positions, you’re just guessing.
2023-01-3031 minPelvic PT RisingBuilding a Biz as a Single Mom: An Interview with Jen Le CougicAs a single mom, Jen didn't have much room for error when she started Nashville Pelvic Health. It needed to be successful - and quickly - to provide for her family.But even with that pressure she wasn't willing to abandon her dream of building her own practice.Around a year later, 'JLC' has built a six-figure business, hired an admin and a clinician and is continuing to expand her reach in the Nashville community.More importantly, she talked about inspiring her kids and changing the lives of her family. Such an inspiring in...
2023-01-2636 minPelvic PT RisingWhat To Do With a Long Wait ListOne of the major career concerns we heard about in our end-of-year survey was working in a facility that is understaffed with a long wait list. We dive into what this means, how you can keep your sanity and still provide the best possible care.First of all, we have to realize we are going to have a major choice to make. And each option will have major limitations and be a compromise.We can provide the best possible care to a very limited number of patients. We limit the number of evaluations, and only get...
2023-01-2335 minPelvic PT RisingInvesting In Yourself with a Growth Mindset: An Interview with Hannah StromAs a younger physical therapist, Hannah had to overcome a lot to build the thriving practice she now owns.She needed to grow as a clinician to provide the kind of care she believed in, as well as learning the business skills to market and grow.But Hannah is an incredible example of having a growth mindset. Instead of thinking "I'm new" or "I'm not good with numbers" she rolled up her sleeves and took on her challenges.She got a head start clinically by taking the courses she needed to build her c...
2023-01-1937 minPelvic PT RisingTelehealth: Pros, Cons & Best PracticesLet’s start with common ground – telehealth is not the gold standard of pelvic health. In an ideal world we would be able to examine the patient, work with them, look into their eyes, see them move and interact in person.We need to resist the urge to make a shift to telehealth just because it feels ‘easier’ to us, or we can do it from the comfort of our home.But there are specific times and scenarios where it can be a valuable adjunct to what we’re doing or support patients who aren’t able to get...
2023-01-1628 minPelvic PT RisingYou Don't Have to Be Everyone's Cup of Tea: An Interview with Allison IngleyHow do we confront the fears we have as clinicians and business owners?In this fantastic, open and honest interview with Dr. Allison Ingley we explore how her own pelvic floor issues led to her interest in pelvic health, how she developed her Clinical Ethos, how she moved past the fear of having to be all things to all people, and how she’s building a business that works for her.It's been amazing to watch her grow and move past her limiting beliefs to build the business she has today. Excited for you to lea...
2023-01-1240 minPelvic PT RisingDefine Success for Yourself: An Interview with Kari CraigIn this inspiring interview with Kari, you'll hear the list of limiting beliefs she had to overcome to build a successful practice. She's done an amazing job of defining success for herself and remaining true to her vision.She decided to start even though she had young kids. And she made the commitment to stay true to her values and prioritize her family.She also had all of the negative beliefs we hear so often: My town isn't big enough. Or affluent enough. And they don't even know about pelvic health! Will they even understand what c...
2023-01-0545 minPelvic PT RisingTrends and Changes in Pelvic HealthHow has our field changed in the last year? Where is it headed?Using information from our End of Year Survey, we'll take a look back at 2022 and where we think things are going in 2023!We'll touch on what we care most about in our jobs, clinician burnout, clinical confidence, new job opportunities, the importance of mentorship, and more!Thanks so much for all of you who filled out the End of Year Survey - more than 200 of you total - giving us this snapshot of where our field is!And i...
2023-01-0247 minPelvic PT RisingYour Guide to a Great 2023How do we want our lives to be better at the end of next year? What would make 2023 great?We often work with our mentorship group on setting better, more meaningful, and more manageable goals for the coming year. We usually struggle to do this well, which means a lot of frustration, guilt or given-up goals.Here are a few ways we can make 2023 great!1. Broaden Our Goals - Instead of hyperfocusing on easy-to-measure areas (our raise at work, our weight, our business revenue), we should be broadening our goals. We sugg...
2022-12-2640 minPelvic PT RisingKeeping Patients Engaged Over the HolidaysHow can we keep our patients engaged and continuing to improve over the holidays and New Year?First, it starts with handling our own business. Are we being fully present for our patients?Next, do we understand all the different stressors and changes going on in their lives? Are we specifically asking about their holidays?We have to be planning for our time off. Their time off. And troubleshooting so their needs don't fall through the cracks during the end of the year.Finally, we have to leverage the power of the...
2022-12-1926 minPelvic PT RisingMaternity Leave: An Opportunity for Your BusinessHow can we view maternity leave as an opportunity in our business (or career)? Many of us first start our own business after a maternity leave. Our priorities have shifted. We want more time freedom. Or we have a new passion for pelvic health after having experienced life as a patient.For those of us who get pregnant after starting our business, we have a few different options.We can be ok with just shutting down during that time. It takes careful planning, financial discipline and a plan for both patient care and mark...
2022-12-1533 minPelvic PT Rising6 Lessons From Being Pregnant OurselvesI had worked with hundreds of pregnant patients over the course of my career, but learned so much from being pregnant myself. It's absolutely going to affect my clinical practice.Here are the top 6 lessons I've learned from my own experience and how they shape how I'll treat my pregnant patients going forward.If you've been pregnant yourself, what lessons did you take away for your patients? And if you haven't, I hope this 'sode gives you some ideas of how we can always be improving for our patients.Pelvic PT Essentials...
2022-12-1231 minPelvic PT RisingBreaking Free and Starting OverHow do we get unstuck - with a patient or project or business? Often it's because we're trying to fix something that wasn't great in the first place. Often the answer seems counterintuitive - what if we just threw away the old 'prior' or previous model and started over? It often will free your creativity and inspire you to create something better than you eve would have.Need examples?Getting stuck with a patient when you're going down the wrong road and just need a new set of eyesMaking incremental changes to your business web...
2022-12-0822 minPelvic PT RisingYour Toolbox for When It's "Too Much"What do we do when our plans for a session get derailed? When - for whatever reason - what we wanted to do is "too much"?This can happen for a variety of reasons. Some examples include:A patient who is contrarian - there's always a reason you can't do somethingWhen a patient is in too much pain - they are flinching, can't be touched, or petrified they are going to flareWhen a patient is emotional or distraughtWe have to be able to recognize this change and still provide value for our patients!
2022-12-0528 minPelvic PT RisingGetting Past the Fear of CriticismOne of the big fears - we talk about 10 'Mindset Anchors' - that can hold us back is fear of criticism.This can be from bosses, from colleagues, from patients, or online comments. Anytime we're branching outside of our comfort zone we can be afraid of getting criticized. If we're not careful this can hold us back in our business or career.So how do we get past it? Here's a few ideas: If it's valid criticism, accept the kernel of truth, grow from it and move onJudge the judger - is this...
2022-12-0116 minPelvic PT RisingTicklish Patients Are No Laughing MatterWe've all (likely) had a patient who is extremely sensitive or ticklish. The laughter is often contagious, and we find ourselves cracking up as well. But there's a lot to consider about the ticklish response - this 'sode is all about dealing with these patients.When we really think about it, if we subtract the laughter the tickle response looks an awful lot like a pain response. Contracting, pulling away, getting into a fetal or defensive position. The tickle response is processed in the hypothalamus of the brain - the same place where the emotional thre...
2022-11-2830 minPelvic PT Rising10 PelviCon QuestionsCurious about PelviCon 2023? We answer ten of your questions all about the event, the speakers, the programming and what makes PelviCon special!Jessica and Andrew Reale join us as we reminisce about PelviCon 2022 and - more importantly - discuss PelviCon '23!PelviCon 2023Make sure to get on the wait list for PelviCon 2023! More details to come, but last year tickets sold out in 4 minutes - you won't want to miss this! Get on the wait list at www.pelvicon.com.Business ResourcesIf you're starting or...
2022-11-2339 minPelvic PT RisingWhen (and How) To Get a Quick WinThere’s a balancing act between ‘quick wins’ for our patients and getting to the root cause of their issues.Quick wins can build trust, show the patient you’re really listening, get buy-in and build momentum. But they can also mean we’re working on things without as much long-term benefit, not addressing the ‘why’, can lead to symptom chasing, and can keep you scattered and from progressing through your plan of care.So how do we balance getting our patients a quick win? As always, communication is critical.Check out the full ‘sode for w...
2022-11-2128 minPelvic PT RisingIt Starts With UsHow do we take radical responsibility for our patients? Our careers? Our efforts to expand our specialty?If you're listening to this podcast, you're already saying "It Starts with Me." I want to be better. I want to learn and grow as a clinician.With PelviCon, we want to transform that into "It Starts With Us." Together we can do so much more than we can alone.Our speakers have embodied this attitude, expanding our knowledge and broadening our field.We all need to think of how we can take action. We can...
2022-11-1716 minPelvic PT RisingEvery Pregnant Person Can Benefit from Pelvic TherapyWe didn’t think this was a controversial statement, but it seems some explanation is in order. Yes, we can help anyone who is pregnant. Even if they don’t have ‘symptoms.’ Or a complaint. Or something wrong.There are changes in the body happening daily. We are the biomechanical experts. And we actually have the time to work with our patients. Alleviate fears. Screen for issues. Support their pregnancy journey. Here’s four ways we can help our pregnant PEEPs (yep, it’s an acronym!).Educate on body changes and what is normal Exercise safely a...
2022-11-1427 minPelvic PT Rising5 Reminders When Treating Chronic PainChronic pain is just different. It takes a different skill set and approach. These are often some of our most challenging patients. But they can also be those in most need of our help, and the most rewarding patients on our schedule. Here are five reminders when treating chronic pelvic pain:It's going to take timeYou have to address the nervous systemIt's much less about symptom reproductionMedications aren't the enemyBe a broken record We hope this helps you to be more confident with your chronic pain patients!PelviCon 2023Make...
2022-11-0728 minPelvic PT RisingDon't Panic with a PlateauWhat do we do when a patient just isn't getting better? When they feel frustrated? Or when we don't understand why they aren't making more progress?These plateaus can be a major challenge in our clinical practice. They make us feel insecure, defensive, or like we're just guessing. In this 'sode we go through how to examine a plateau and how to respond (not react!) for the best patient outcomes. Three tips for dealing with plateaus: Plateaus aren't necessarily bad! They can be expected and also give us more time to implement long-te...
2022-10-3128 minPelvic PT RisingEmbracing the Seasonality of Your BusinessGrowth in our business or career isn't ever linear. It's often punctuated bursts. Sometimes we're standing still, and others we're rushing forward.It's unreasonable to expect our business to continue to grow as rapidly as we want (whatever that means). We can't put in maximum effort all the time.Seasonality is a rule of nature and it applies to business as well. So how do we manage the different seasons and still enjoy the process throughout?When it's slow, build your foundations. Mend the nets. Get your business ready for the next burst. Put in...
2022-10-2727 minPelvic PT RisingThe 4 Elements of your AssessmentWhat should your Assessment include? How can you get better buy-in, communicate more clearly, and understand your plan of care for each patient?In this 'sode we discuss the four elements each Assessment should include. And how to make your assessment 4 sentences that clearly and concisely summarize the patient.If you master these four elements, it will make it easier to communicate with the patient, get clinical buy-in and create your initial hypothesis for the evaluation.These include:The Pelvic Floor ComponentThe Orthopedic ComponentThe Nervous System Component, andThe Big PictureCheck ou...
2022-10-2433 minPelvic PT Rising5 Misconceptions about Starting a BusinessFor anyone who has a business, is curious, or is a business 'wannabe' there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about business. Often we make mistakes based on these misconceptions. Do something because we 'have' to. Spend money we didn't need to. Or start building a business that isn't in line with our own values, Ethos or lifestyle. In this 'sode we go through the five most common misconceptions we see, including:Starting a business is hardYou 'have' to take insuranceYou need a loan, start-up money, or expensive lawyers/consultants/web designers/marketing 'expe...
2022-10-2026 minPelvic PT RisingPhysical Therapy or Wellness: Where's the Line?Is there a divide between physical therapy and wellness? Prevention? Maintenance?If so, where is it? And if not, why is it something that has invaded our profession?You might be surprised to know this isn't something that comes from our law or practice act. Legally there is no difference between physical therapy and wellness.And you might also be surprised our governing body (the APTA) specifically encourages wellness, prevention, fitness, and health promotion.Common sense and ethics also don't draw a distinction. After all, why would we not want to promo...
2022-10-1743 minPelvic PT RisingGaining Financial ConfidenceWhether you're working as an employee or have your own business, financial confidence is truly rare.We contrast this with 'financial security', which means you're able to pay the bills.But are you anxious about money? Worried about student loan debt? About whether you're saving enough for retirement?These concerns are completely natural, but they also cause us to make poor decisions in our careers or our business. In this 'sode we talk about the difficult road to gaining true, lasting financial confidence!Business ResourcesAre you a p...
2022-10-1314 minPelvic PT RisingTreating Patients Who Challenge YouWhat do we do with a patient who is challenging, edgy, or with a 'chip on their shoulder'?In this 'sode we dive into how we can put our own ego aside and help those who are difficult or contrarian during a treatment session.How do we get these patients to form an alliance with us for their benefit?And we go into the 'break in case of emergency' options we have during a session.If you've dealt with challenging patients, make sure to catch this 'sode!Clinical...
2022-10-1031 minPelvic PT RisingNegativity Up, Positivity OutHow can we take more control of our own happiness at work?We dive into how we can avoid negativity, have more honest conversations and enjoy work more.When negativity goes upward - to your boss or someone who can make a change - instead of out to your colleagues or patients, it creates a better culture and environment for everyone.PelviCon Recording Now Available for Order!If you weren't able to get tickets to PelviCon or make it to Atlanta this year, we've got you covered! We're going t...
2022-10-0622 minPelvic PT RisingBehind the Scenes Story of PelviCon!We were absolutely blown away by the energy, excitement and inspiration at PelviCon 2022!In this 'sode we give a behind-the-scenes look at running the conference, stories about our speakers, the biggest 'oh, shit!' moments and more!We're joined by our partners in PelviCon crime, Jessica & Andrew Reale, for this 'sode, and answer a lot of your questions about the conference. Check it out!PelviCon Recording Now Available for Order!If you weren't able to get tickets to PelviCon or make it to Atlanta this year, we've got you c...
2022-10-0344 minPelvic PT RisingYour Patient Is Not Your FriendKeeping our professional boundaries can be a real challenge in our profession. We spend a lot of time with our patients. They are often really cool people. And we're discussing intimate topics about their lives they may only talk about with really close friends.And we should certainly still have fun. Laugh. Make a connection with our patients.But when they cross over into the 'friend zone' we often struggle to provide the same level of care. It's a challenge for all of us, but we have to recognize when we're acting more like a friend...
2022-09-1921 minPelvic PT RisingThe 10 Most "Controversial" Things We've SaidAs we cross over 'sode 250, we look back on the 10 most 'controversial' things we've said on the podcast.In retrospect, some don't look controversial anymore (which is awesome!). And you don't have to agree with each of these, but we do hope they make you think and drive conversations in our field forward. Do you have a favorite of these? Let us k now!Biofeedback is not the best use of your timeWe are (or should be) primary care providersDon't be the evidence policeVoluntary strength testing in your evaluation sends you down the wrong roadIf we're not...
2022-09-1537 minPelvic PT RisingSmall Steps, Big Impact - 'Sode 250!Looking back over the last 250(!!) 'sodes of the Pelvic PT Rising podcast, we reflect on how small steps turn into big impact over time.We talk about some of our (many) failures and decisions we didn't know would be important at the time. But the underlying message is just to take action to move forward - no matter how small it might be.When we put one foot in front of the other in our business or career, it may take years to see the progress but it will come. One of our fa...
2022-09-1242 minPelvic PT RisingDon't Cater To the "2 Percenters"How much mental energy and stress go to the 2% of people who are the worst fit for our clinical practice or business?In this 'sode we talk about how to identify those people who aren't a great fit. We need to recognize when we're working with an outlier. If we aren't careful we end up changing our practice, compromising our vision or bending over backwards for those who aren't a great fit.Can you identify any outliers or '2 percenters' in your case load or practice? Let us know!Business Resources
2022-09-0821 minPelvic PT Rising3 Answers to "How Long Until I Get Better?"It's a question we're inevitably asked. One we're not trained in how to answer. And one that - most times - I think most pelvic rehab practitioners get wrong."How long until I get better?"First we think about what they are really asking. It's more about "are you the right person to help me" or "what is working with you going to look like."And we often do our patients a disservice when we try and guess. Because the truth is - there's no way to know after just the first visit!...
2022-09-0533 minPelvic PT RisingCase Report: 5 Ways To Get More FunctionalIn this case report from a male patient who scheduled a remote consultation, my biggest takeaway was the lack of functional assessment he had received.He was dealing with pelvic pain, urinary urgency/frequency, post-void dribbling, incontinence during exercise and pain with sitting.While he had been to two different pelvic PTs, and did have minor improvements, his life was still very different. Normally an avid runner, he had cut running out completely (after usually doing 70-80 miles a week). Sitting caused such pain he switched to a standing desk, without actually addressing his underlying is...
2022-09-0118 minPelvic PT RisingJessica Reale: All Things PelviConThe behind-the-scenes stories, history and evolution of the first-ever conference both BY and FOR Pelvic Health - PelviCon!Talking with co-founder Jessica Reale about three weeks before the start of PelviCon 2022. Hear her thoughts on the speaker lineup, what she's most excited for and the inside story of how everything came together!The in-person conference itself sold out in less than four minutes, and so excited to meet many of you in person in just a few weeks! If you aren't joining us in Atlanta, make sure to pre-order the recording (available before Friday for a...
2022-08-2930 minPelvic PT RisingCase Report: Dealing with Skeptical or Challenging PatientsWhat do you do when you have a patient who doesn't believe you can help?Many times these are the patients we end up thinking about when we go home at night. Or over our lunch break. Or even during our next patient.They can make us feel inadequate, sap our energy or cause us to replay conversations in our heads."What do I say in order to convince them I can help?"Many of these patients have very valid reasons to be skeptical. Their emotions can range from anger to dep...
2022-08-2522 minPelvic PT RisingMichelle Lyons: That Pelvis Is Attached To A Whole PersonHow do we treat more holistically? Recognizing the pelvic floor - while incredibly important - is still just a part of a whole person.An example: pain is both a sensory and emotional issue. If we ignore either aspect, we can't treat the whole person.In this incredible interview with Michelle Lyons we talk about her clinical philosophy, how to have a more holistic view of our patients, why anatomy is the 'map' to guide your care, and more clinical pearls.And we announce her PelviCon topics! So excited to have Michelle teaching abo...
2022-08-221h 07Pelvic PT RisingAre You Missing Out on the Best Job of Your Life?What if you're missing out on the best job for you?You know we're biased, but we really believe more pelvic rehab practitioners should be actively seeking to work at cash-based clinics. Some benefits include:Hour-long treatment timesWay less documentation for insuranceMotivated clientsWellness servicesNo insurance company dictating your careOf course, there are always pros and cons to any position. So in this 'sode we look at what it's like to work at a cash-based physical therapy clinic. The good, the bad and the ugly.We debunk a few myths and assumptions that mig...
2022-08-1827 min