THESE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED AT CLEVELAND ACUPUNCTURE'S EAST SIDE LOCATION IN SEPTEMBER  2009  - PELVIC WORK WILL BE CONDUCTED AS PART OF A PARALLEL TREATMENT APPROACH WITH LIZ O'DONNELL PROVIDING PT SERVICES AND ANOTHER THERAPIST SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS (INDIVIDUAL AND/OR COUPLE SESSIONS). 

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As a physical therapist, yoga teacher, and psychotherapist Liz O’Donnell’s brings a unique blend of professional expertise to her work with pelvic health conditions. The muscles, ligaments and fascial tissues of the pelvic floor can be sources of significant pain for women. Although the association between pelvic pain and infertility is not clear, women who complain of discomfort in the vaginal, anal, and pelvic area often struggle to find an effective treatment to address their symptoms. Once a medical reason for pain has been ruled out it is important to understand the mechanisms, both psychological and physical, that contribute to the experience of pain and dysfunction. Pain can originate from within the pelvic cavity or the vagina, as well as from the tissue of the vulva. In addition, low back pain, irritable bowel, or conditions such as endometriosis, can create secondary problems that might also impact muscle function and balance as well as the alignment of the bones and other structure in the pelvis. I am curerntly referring clients who begin their work with me as a counselor to another physical therapist with whom I work very closely. 

There are several ways in which emotional or psychological issues can impact healthy sexual functioning and teasing apart the physical pain from the emotional or psychological pain is complex. Management of the following conditions requires an integrative holistic approach that takes into consideration the unique experience and circumstances of the individual. For more complete information on these and other conditions I have provided links to their associated national organizations and/or education sites.

This link to Talli Rosenbaum’s site has great articles and information of the role of physical therapy in pelvic/sexual health: http://www.physioforwomen.com/index_e.html

Kegel (Pelvic) Exercises: 

http://www.kegel-exercises.com/

Pelvic Pain:

 http://www.pelvicpain.org/ and http://www.pudendal.info/index.htm

Dyspyreunia (pain with intercourse): 

http://www.pelvic-health.com/Dyspareunia-article.html

Vulvodynia: 

http://www.nva.org/   and  http://www.vulvodynia.com/

Vestibulitis (support group link):