Get the Pelvic Floor Back in Action: A Physical Therapist's Insight into Rehabilitating Pelvic Dysfunction

From pelvic pain to incontinence, sciatica to scoliosis, prolapse to painful intercourse, the pelvic floor is a key player in recovery. Weakness and tension in the muscles of the pelvic region are often overlooked as the culprits of many debilitating conditions. And, even when the pelvic floor is deemed responsible for ailments, rehabilitation is often bypassed for surgery or medication. But, there is an active means of rehabilitating and managing conditions stemming from the pelvic region with a physical therapist's guidance. This book aims to provide pelvic floor exercises and relaxation techniques that can assist in overcoming the leakage and overly frequent trips to the restroom associated with incontinence, and the pain and inability to fully empty the bladder due to excessive pelvic floor muscle tension. The exercises and other self help tips can also help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles during and after pregnancy, and after child birth! The techniques aim to help people learn about and gain control of the pelvic floor and remedy some of the causes of the problems. This guidance has truly restored patients' abilities to "live". Truly a book written for all audiences with case "stories" and education segments ranging from broad overviews to minute details, 'Get the Pelvic Floor Back in Action' speaks to patients, clinicians, and persons interested in minimizing contracting pelvic conditions. The pelvic region is often embarrassing to speak of or is overlooked. It is time to highlight the pelvic region to truly help those with pelvic conditions get back in action!

About the Author :
Joanna Bilancieri is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, having received her undergraduate degree from Yale University and her doctorate from University of Southern California. Being an adventure and sports enthusiast, Joanna has made it her professional mission as a physical therapist to help those with physical ailments get back in action, and to help people stay in action, by minimizing undue strain and injury. With so many patients having pelvic floor complications, Joanna decided to write a book to let the world know there is help, there are means to conquer pelvic floor dysfunction.

Review :
"I had the honor and privilege of working with Joanna many years ago when my practice was primarily urogynecology, before I became a specialist in pelvic pain. Joanna is a fabulous therapist who taught me about the PT's approach to the pelvic floor which served as a foundation for much of what I do today. I have since met and befriended many excellent PTs who continue to astound me with their knowledge of things I wish I would have learned in medical school, or at least in an OB/GYN residency. Now that my practice is primarily focused on women with pelvic pain, I have an even stronger conviction that complete healing almost always requires the aid of a good PT, whether to help relax a spastic pelvic floor in women with endometriosis and interstitial cystitis, correct pelvic obliquities, rehabilitate piriformis syndrome, help prevent adhesions with visceral mobilization, or diagnose and treat orthopedic conditions like gait disturbances and leg length discrepancies that can cause pelvic pain that many women perceive to be gynecologic in origin, but are not. I believe that as a surgeon I can do a lot for women with prolapse and incontinence, or for those with pelvic pain from endometriosis or other intra-abdominal pathology. But, my ability is primarily limited to reconstructing anatomy, and the ultimate goal--restoration of function--remains in the skilled and gentle hands of my friends the physical therapists. I am astounded by how this important aspect of medicine and the healing arts is disregarded by many insurance companies and some physicians, and I encourage all of you to advocate for our patients with pelvic pain, prolapse, and incontinence by continuing to speak out about the important role PTs play in restoring optimal health, as well as by learning the nuances that Joanna has to share about the complex interactions of the pelvis. Very enlightening! Easy to read, detailed analyses of pelvic conditions like urinary incontinence and prolapses with real life success stories overcoming and managing them! It was pleasantly surprising that so many issues can be resolved with guidance by a physical therapist! This is an amazing book for anyone who suffers from pelvic pain (especially from endometriosis in my case). She explains the causes of the pain in such an easy to understand way.