LIVE from the Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, it is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Sarah Haag, Dr. Sandy Hilton and Dr. Jason Falvey back for Part 4 all about sex. Check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 and enjoy another installment!

In this episode, we discuss:

-Biomechanical considerations for different sex positions

-How to support your partner following child birth

-Why sexual dysfunction may be an important predictor of future cardiovascular problems

-Sexual health for the LGBTQI+ population

-And so much more!

Pelvic health interventions follow the same treatment principles as any other orthopedic conditions. Sandy stresses, "Strength and conditioning principles really do apply to pelvic health it's just the movement is a centimeter, it's very small but the scale is proportionally the same so if you're having problems with loading and frequency and dosage of your program, just adapt it. You don't have to stop." Sarah reaffirms this and recommends that patients, "Do what you do and should you run into issues, again graded exposure and practice I think is the best answer."

When treating sexual dysfunction, it's important to consider what could be affecting patients beyond purely biomechanical ailments. For example Sarah explains that, "When someone does become ill, if you're not typically the caregiver and now there's that role shift, that's a psychosocial issue." Jason stresses the importance this can play with older adults as, "It's a very hard transition for people to transition from caregiver to lover."

All physical therapists should be able to break past the stigma surrounding pelvic health issues, even if it is not their specialty. It's important to inform patients that help exists as Sarah has found that, "When it comes to sexual dysfunction and bowel and bladder dysfunction, a lot of people don't know what's normal and even when people aren't happy with the function which is really the key that they need to get help, they don't know that there is help."

For more information on the guests:

SARAH HAAG PT, DPT, MS, WCS CERT. MDT, RYT: Sarah graduated from Marquette University in 2002 with a Master's of Physical Therapy. Sarah has pursued an interest in treating the spine, pelvis with a specialization in women's and men's health. Over the years, Sarah has seized every opportunity available to her in order to further her understanding of the human body, and the various ways it can seem to fall apart in order to sympathetically and efficiently facilitate a return to optimal function. Sarah was awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP) from the Section on Women's Health. She went on to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Masters of Science in Women's Health from Rosalind Franklin University in 2008. In 2009 she was awarded a Board Certification as a specialist in women's health (WCS). Sarah also completed a Certification in Mechanical Diagnosis Therapy from the Mckenzie Institute in 2010. Most recently, Sarah completed a 200 hour Yoga Instructor Training Program, and is now a Registered Yoga Instructor. Sarah plans to integrate yoga into her rehabilitation programs, as well as teach small, personalized classes.

Sarah looks at education, and a better understanding of the latest evidence in the field of physical therapy, as the best way to help people learn about their conditions, and to help people learn to take care of themselves throughout the life span.

SANDY HILTON PT, DPT, MS: Sandy graduated from Pacific University (Oregon) in 1988 with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Des Moines University in December 2013. She has worked in multiple settings across the US with neurologic and orthopaedic emphasis combining these with a focus in pelvic rehabilitation for pain and dysfunction since 1995. Sandy teaches Health Professionals and Community Education classes on returning to function following back and pelvic pain, has assisted with Myofascial Release education, and co-teaches Advanced Level Male Pelvic Floor Evaluation and Treatment. Sandy's clinical interest is chronic pain with a particular interest in complex pelvic pain disorders for men and women. Sandy is the co-host of Pain Science and Sensibility, a podcast on the application of research into the clinic.

JASON FALVEY PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA: Jason is a board certified geriatric physical therapist with a strong interest in improving outcomes for both frail older adults and older adults with hospital-associated deconditioning. He has current funding from the Foundation for Physical Therapy (PODS 1 Award, 2015) and the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy to support his participation in ongoing research the use of a novel Progressive High Intensity Therapy (PHIT) training program on medically complex older adults after acute hospitalization. He also has funding from both the American Physical Therapy Association Health Policy and Administration Section and the Home Health Section to evaluate how physical therapists can reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. Lastly, Jason is collaborating with local long-term care providers to determine how physical functioning can be assessed and best managed to reduce rates of falls, ER visits, and hospitalization.

Resources discussed on this show:

Jason Falvey Twitter

Sarah Haag Twitter

Sandy Hilton Twitter

Uchenna Ossai Twitter

Meryl Alappattu Twitter

Rena McDaniel Twitter

A THERAPY TOOLKIT FOR TREATMENT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE

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Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!

Xo Karen