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Physical Therapy for Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction in Pasadena
Restore Confidence And Control From Bowel And Bladder Dysfunction.
Problems with bowel and bladder impact many facets of life. Your bowel or bladder may determine whether you can exercise, run after your children or socialize. You may know where every restroom is when you walk into a new area or limit leaving the house all together.
Dr. Stephany recognizes the emotional and physical impact and guides you towards regaining control.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Bowel and bladder changes can occur during various life events, with disease or injury. Pregnancy / postpartum and perimenopause can induce changes that have commonly been dismissed or minimized in women. Injury or disease can create or exacerbate bowel and bladder changes. Sometimes pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction are also part of your experience.
Dr. Stephany works with both women and men and will address your personal goals to improve your quality of life.
Bowel Symptoms
Bowel symptoms may include:
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Stool consistency that varies from loose to hard
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Pain or straining with a bowel movement
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Feeling of incomplete emptying
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Bloating
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Fecal incontinence
Urinary Symptoms
Urinary symptoms may include:
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Voiding more than 8–9 times a day
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Pain or straining to urinate
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Difficulty starting a stream of urine
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Leakage
Sexual Symptoms in Women
Symptoms may include:
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Pain with penetration
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Persistent genital arousal dysfunction (PGAD)
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Clitoral pain
Sexual Symptoms in Men
Symptoms may include:
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Erectile dysfunction
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Pain with ejaculation
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Hard/flaccid syndrome
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Testicular pain
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Penile pain
Conditions Associated With Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction
Pelvic symptoms may also be associated with conditions including:
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Fibromyalgia
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
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Painful bladder / interstitial cystitis
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Persistent pelvic pain
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Endometriosis
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PCOS
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Vaginismus
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Vulvodynia
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Pudendal neuralgia
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PGAD
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Hard/flaccid syndrome
When More Than One Symptom Is Part of the Picture
Bowel and bladder symptoms can show up alongside low back, hip or pelvic pain, sexual symptoms, and other chronic pain concerns.
Dr. Stephany does not assume every symptom has the same cause. She takes time to listen, understand what you are experiencing, and look at the fuller picture. She understands that you're seeking treatment to not only feel better, but live better. You'll work together to get back to the activities you have limited or stopped.
You work directly with Dr. Stephany and can talk openly about concerns that may feel personal or embarrassing, including bowel habits, bladder symptoms, sexual dysfunction, or leakage.
What Can Bowel And Bladder Dysfunction Physical Therapy Involve?
Your first visit includes a review of your medical history and symptoms, along with how they affect your daily life, including work or school, sleep, recreation, exercise, and stress or emotions.
Dr. Stephany completes an orthopedic and pelvic floor assessment, which may include internal vaginal or rectal work, to assess strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Your goals for therapy are discussed and used to develop a plan of care.
Questions Before You Start
Can you treat my specific symptoms?
If you are not sure whether your symptoms fit pelvic floor physical therapy, talk with Dr. Stephany about what you are experiencing. She can help determine whether pelvic floor physical therapy may be appropriate for your symptoms.
I’ve had my symptoms for a long time. Can something still be done?
Even when bowel and bladder symptoms have been present for a long time, there is still room for improvement in your symptoms and quality of life.
Do you take insurance?
Medicare is accepted. For other plans, Foothill is an out-of-network provider and can provide a superbill that patients may submit to their insurance for possible reimbursement.
How long will I need PT?
This varies for everyone and at different stages of a condition. Weekly visits are usually recommended initially to establish a baseline, explore what treatments work best for you, and find what can be incorporated into your routine. As you become more confident managing symptoms independently, treatment frequency can decrease as you and Dr. Stephany agree. Sometimes people return after a flare-up, and that is okay too.
Ready to Talk About What You’re Experiencing?
You may have been living with bowel and bladder issues or other pelvic symptoms for months or years, and some of what you are experiencing may feel personal or uncomfortable to talk about. Dr. Stephany works directly with you and gives you space to talk openly about what is happening.
If you are ready to better understand your symptoms and what may help you manage them more comfortably, let’s talk.