Solstice Physical therapy Blogs
Find in-depth articles about relevant health topics from our team of licensed specialists.
All Physical Therapy Blogs
Understanding Anal Receptive Sex, Safe Binding and Tucking
Happy Pride Month! Sexual wellness and gender expression are an important part of good health. Pelvic floor therapy can play a meaningful role in helping individuals engage in this activity safely and comfortably. Whether you are exploring anal receptive sex,...
Connected Issues: Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Endometriosis
Connected Issues, Connective Tissues We met with a team of specialists to discuss the multifactorial, multidisciplinary, and emerging approaches to discuss the little-known relationship between several women’s health disorders. The group of specialists included: Board...
Biofeedback – It’s All About Awareness
What Is Biofeedback? Biofeedback is a specialized, therapeutic technique that helps individuals gain awareness and control over physiological functions that are typically automatic. These functions include muscle tension, heart rate, breathing patterns and even...
Vulvar Health: A Practical Guide to Vulvar Skin Conditions and Proper Care
The Vulva is the collective term for the external female genitalia. It acts as a protective barrier and is essential for sexual pleasure and reproduction. Often confused with the vagina, the vulva refers only to the exterior, visible parts. These parts include:·...
Neurological Conditions and Pelvic Floor Health – An Often-Overlooked Connection
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Cerebral Palsy can disrupt the brain-muscle signaling that controls the pelvic floor. Because pelvic floor muscles rely on precise nerve input, impaired motor control in these conditions often results in...
Postpartum Running – A Gait Assessment is Beneficial
While recovering postpartum, there comes a time when you want to do more. You start to feel better and the idea of running–whether this is a first time or something you love to do–it becomes a reality. Your pelvic floor therapist clears you to start running. Yay!...
Current Research on GLP-1 Benefits and Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause painful periods, pelvic pain, and bowel or bladder symptoms. Recently, GLP-1 receptor agonists medications (GLP-1's), commonly used for diabetes and weight management, have gained attention for their...
Understanding Endometriosis – The Complete Picture
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. Uterine tissue located elsewhere in the body behaves similarly to endometrial tissue inside the uterus. It...
Under Fueling Caused by Eating Disorders or RED-S may Negatively Impact the Pelvic Floor
Under fueling is a state of energy imbalance - an individual consumes fewer calories and nutrients than required to meet their energy demands of daily activities, exercise training and basic bodily functions. Examples of under fueling include: Anorexia Nervosa...
Pelvic Pain & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Blog Articles
Connected Issues: Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Endometriosis
Connected Issues, Connective Tissues We met with a team of specialists to discuss the multifactorial, multidisciplinary, and emerging approaches to discuss the little-known relationship between several women’s health disorders. The group of specialists included: Board...
Biofeedback – It’s All About Awareness
What Is Biofeedback? Biofeedback is a specialized, therapeutic technique that helps individuals gain awareness and control over physiological functions that are typically automatic. These functions include muscle tension, heart rate, breathing patterns and even...
Neurological Conditions and Pelvic Floor Health – An Often-Overlooked Connection
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Cerebral Palsy can disrupt the brain-muscle signaling that controls the pelvic floor. Because pelvic floor muscles rely on precise nerve input, impaired motor control in these conditions often results in...
Current Research on GLP-1 Benefits and Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause painful periods, pelvic pain, and bowel or bladder symptoms. Recently, GLP-1 receptor agonists medications (GLP-1's), commonly used for diabetes and weight management, have gained attention for their...
Understanding Endometriosis – The Complete Picture
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. Uterine tissue located elsewhere in the body behaves similarly to endometrial tissue inside the uterus. It...
Under Fueling Caused by Eating Disorders or RED-S may Negatively Impact the Pelvic Floor
Under fueling is a state of energy imbalance - an individual consumes fewer calories and nutrients than required to meet their energy demands of daily activities, exercise training and basic bodily functions. Examples of under fueling include: Anorexia Nervosa...
Pregnancy & Postpartum Blog Articles
Postpartum Running – A Gait Assessment is Beneficial
While recovering postpartum, there comes a time when you want to do more. You start to feel better and the idea of running–whether this is a first time or something you love to do–it becomes a reality. Your pelvic floor therapist clears you to start running. Yay!...
Understanding Endometriosis – The Complete Picture
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. Uterine tissue located elsewhere in the body behaves similarly to endometrial tissue inside the uterus. It...
Babywearing & Your Pelvic Floor: What Every Parent Should Know
Becoming a parent means learning a whole new way of moving through the world—with a baby in tow. Babywearing is a popular, practical, and a deeply connective way to keep your baby close while freeing up your hands. But as physical therapists specializing in pelvic...
Diastasis Recti: What You Should Know
Diastasis Recti (DR) is common, but it isn’t straightforward. Let’s break it down so you can better understand what’s happening in your body and how to support it. What is Diastasis Recti? Diastasis recti is a separation of the rectus abdominis (your "six-pack"...
Motherhood Unfiltered: Coping with Pregnancy and Postpartum Discomfort
Pregnancy is a transformative and joyous time for most women. However, it brings about many physical changes. The biomechanical, hormonal, and vascular changes during pregnancy make women more likely to develop musculoskeletal issues. The growing uterus changes the...
Postpartum Recovery: What to Expect and How to Reduce Postpartum Symptoms
The postpartum period, also known as the puerperium or "fourth trimester”, refers to the time after birth when maternal physiologic changes related to pregnancy return to the nonpregnant state. Postpartum recovery takes time. Many women feel recovered after six to...
Endometriosis Blog Articles
Connected Issues: Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Endometriosis
Connected Issues, Connective Tissues We met with a team of specialists to discuss the multifactorial, multidisciplinary, and emerging approaches to discuss the little-known relationship between several women’s health disorders. The group of specialists included: Board...
Current Research on GLP-1 Benefits and Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause painful periods, pelvic pain, and bowel or bladder symptoms. Recently, GLP-1 receptor agonists medications (GLP-1's), commonly used for diabetes and weight management, have gained attention for their...
Understanding Endometriosis – The Complete Picture
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. Uterine tissue located elsewhere in the body behaves similarly to endometrial tissue inside the uterus. It...
Have You Recently Had Surgery for Endometriosis?
Have you recently had surgery for Endometriosis? – Here are some things you can do to aid in your recovery. There are many things that you can do, immediately following Endometriosis surgery, to jump start recovery. From proper clothing, to exercise and self-care,...
Surgical and Medication Treatment Options for Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue, similar to the tissue that lines the uterus, grows outside the uterus in places where it doesn't belong. This tissue thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each period. Painful periods can happen with endometriosis. There...
How Physical Therapy Can Help Manage Endometriosis Symptoms
1 in 10 people with female anatomy suffer from endometriosis Physical therapy can help manage some of the symptoms of the disease. Endometriosis is a painful and debilitating gynecological disease caused by endometrial tissue located outside of the...
Gastrointestinal (GI) Dysfunction Blog Articles
Biofeedback – It’s All About Awareness
What Is Biofeedback? Biofeedback is a specialized, therapeutic technique that helps individuals gain awareness and control over physiological functions that are typically automatic. These functions include muscle tension, heart rate, breathing patterns and even...
Bloating – Why it Happens and What Can Help
Bloating is extremely common. Around 18% of people worldwide experience it, and up to 96% of those with gut disorders report bloating as a symptom. For some, it’s mild and occasional; for others, it’s persistent or painful. Chronic or severe bloating—especially when...
Feeling Bloated at Day’s End? You May Suffer from Abdomino-phrenic Dyssynergia.
Someone who suffers from Abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia (APD) will notice that upon waking their stomach is fairly flat. However, at the end of the day it will be very bloated and distended, regardless of if the person has moved their bowels or not. APD is a relatively...
Gluten Free 101
As a sequel to my previous dairy blog post – I wanted to provide a list of my favorite gluten-free alternatives that have made my life easier without sacrificing taste. Gluten-free diets are often recommended for people with a variety of medical conditions such...
Suffering from abdominal pain and thinking it’s caused by dairy foods? Muscular issues and/or your diet may be the cause.
People with gastrointestinal issues often blame their problem on dairy products. It’s true that many people lose the ability to tolerate lactose as they age. In addition, dairy is known to cause inflammation in some people. Gastrointestinal upset can increase muscle...
You Don’t Have to Live with Constipation
Constipation is a common and often uncomfortable condition that affects people of all ages. It's characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements. In some cases, it can lead to a range of other issues - bloating, abdominal pain and/or bladder dysfunction. What...
Orthopedic Blog Articles
Connected Issues: Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Endometriosis
Connected Issues, Connective Tissues We met with a team of specialists to discuss the multifactorial, multidisciplinary, and emerging approaches to discuss the little-known relationship between several women’s health disorders. The group of specialists included: Board...
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? How can Physical Therapy help?
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Connective tissue is a complex mixture of proteins and other substances that provide strength and elasticity to the...
What is Lymphedema and can my symptoms improve with lymph therapy? The answer is YES!
What is Lymphedema?Lymphedema is a swelling of protein rich fluid. It can occur as the result of:Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) caused by valves in veins that don't open and close properly, causing blood to pool and putting increased pressure on the walls of the...
Menopause & Perimenopause Blog Articles
Sleep is essential
I sometimes say to my patients that the physical therapists at Solstice are in a unique position to be the best “quarterback” of care for a variety of conditions. This is because we have more time with our patients (45-minute follow ups), more breaks in our days to...
Perimenopause and Menopause may Cause Symptoms that Negatively Impact Daily Living
Perimenopause is a natural process, defined by when ovaries gradually stop working. It precedes menopause, which is defined as not having a menstrual cycle for twelve months. Menopause generally happens between the ages of 40 and 58. The average age of menopause is...
Vulva Itching and Burning May be More than a Yeast Infection
More often than not, women who experience vulva irritation assume it’s yeast infection. They rush to buy over-the-counter medicine. Sometimes it is a yeast infection, but sometimes it is not. Regardless of the diagnosis, it is important to see your doctor to determine...
Periods, Explained.
Do you know the intricacies and phases of your period? And more importantly do you know how to best support your body during each phase of your monthly cycle? Your monthly cycle consists of four phases:Menstrual phaseFollicular phaseOvulationLuteal...
Menopause – Navigating Change with Support and Care
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman's life - the end of her reproductive years. This natural process, typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. It brings a variety of physical and emotional changes. While some women navigate menopause with...
Men’s Health Blog Articles
Understanding Anal Receptive Sex, Safe Binding and Tucking
Happy Pride Month! Sexual wellness and gender expression are an important part of good health. Pelvic floor therapy can play a meaningful role in helping individuals engage in this activity safely and comfortably. Whether you are exploring anal receptive sex,...
A Prostate Disorder is Just One Reason Men Suffer from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
When people think about pelvic floor pain, they often picture it as only a women’s issue. This cannot be further from the truth. Men experience pelvic floor dysfunction, too. The male pelvic floor plays a vital role in bladder, bowel, sexual and core function. Just...
Medications May Affect Pelvic Floor Function – Let’s Talk About Adderall
Medications can be an essential part of treatment for various diseases and conditions. It’s important to recognize how certain drugs may impact other areas of your health — including the pelvic floor. They can affect your pelvic floor health and rehabilitation...
Diastasis Recti: What You Should Know
Diastasis Recti (DR) is common, but it isn’t straightforward. Let’s break it down so you can better understand what’s happening in your body and how to support it. What is Diastasis Recti? Diastasis recti is a separation of the rectus abdominis (your "six-pack"...
What is Hard-flaccid Syndrome and How can Physical Therapy Help
What is Hard-flaccid Syndrome and How can Physical Therapy HelpHard-flaccid syndrome (HFS) is a chronic, painful condition characterized by a semi-rigid penis at the flaccid state and a loss in erectile rigidity. There are several components to the treatment and men...
Experiencing Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction?
At Solstice Physiotherapy we successfully treat men suffering from erection issues and erectile dysfunction. Although most common in the older, male population, erection issues and dysfunction also occur in the twenty to thirty year old population. Issues vary by...
Sexual Health Blog Articles
Understanding Anal Receptive Sex, Safe Binding and Tucking
Happy Pride Month! Sexual wellness and gender expression are an important part of good health. Pelvic floor therapy can play a meaningful role in helping individuals engage in this activity safely and comfortably. Whether you are exploring anal receptive sex,...
Medications May Affect Pelvic Floor Function – Let’s Talk About Adderall
Medications can be an essential part of treatment for various diseases and conditions. It’s important to recognize how certain drugs may impact other areas of your health — including the pelvic floor. They can affect your pelvic floor health and rehabilitation...
Sexual Health after Cancer: What Women Need to Know
Cancer treatment can be lifesaving. But for many survivors, especially those who undergo pelvic radiation or reproductive surgeries, it brings side effects that impact sexual and pelvic health. If you’re navigating this phase of healing, you are not alone. There are...
Improve Sexual Function and the Ability to Achieve Orgasm with Pelvic Floor Therapy
What is an orgasm? Why do some people have difficulty achieving orgasm? How can pelvic floor therapy help? An orgasm is a combination of physiological and psychological responses to sexual stimulation. The responses include: Sexual stimulation: An orgasm is typically...
Not All Vaginal Infections are the Same. Each Has Its Own Treatment.
The most common types of vaginal infections are yeast infections and bacterial infections. If you are experiencing infection symptoms, it is important to know which infection you have. Treatment for one is not the same as the treatment for the other.Yeast...
Vulva Itching and Burning May be More than a Yeast Infection
More often than not, women who experience vulva irritation assume it’s yeast infection. They rush to buy over-the-counter medicine. Sometimes it is a yeast infection, but sometimes it is not. Regardless of the diagnosis, it is important to see your doctor to determine...
Post-Surgery Blog Articles
Biofeedback – It’s All About Awareness
What Is Biofeedback? Biofeedback is a specialized, therapeutic technique that helps individuals gain awareness and control over physiological functions that are typically automatic. These functions include muscle tension, heart rate, breathing patterns and even...
Understanding Endometriosis – The Complete Picture
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. Uterine tissue located elsewhere in the body behaves similarly to endometrial tissue inside the uterus. It...
A Prostate Disorder is Just One Reason Men Suffer from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
When people think about pelvic floor pain, they often picture it as only a women’s issue. This cannot be further from the truth. Men experience pelvic floor dysfunction, too. The male pelvic floor plays a vital role in bladder, bowel, sexual and core function. Just...
Sexual Health after Cancer: What Women Need to Know
Cancer treatment can be lifesaving. But for many survivors, especially those who undergo pelvic radiation or reproductive surgeries, it brings side effects that impact sexual and pelvic health. If you’re navigating this phase of healing, you are not alone. There are...
Sleep is essential
I sometimes say to my patients that the physical therapists at Solstice are in a unique position to be the best “quarterback” of care for a variety of conditions. This is because we have more time with our patients (45-minute follow ups), more breaks in our days to...
Have You Recently Had Surgery for Endometriosis?
Have you recently had surgery for Endometriosis? – Here are some things you can do to aid in your recovery. There are many things that you can do, immediately following Endometriosis surgery, to jump start recovery. From proper clothing, to exercise and self-care,...
Pediatric Blog Articles
Reduce Anxiety, Accidents and Bed-wetting: Understand Your Child’s Bowel and Bladder Function
You may notice that most pelvic-floor talk is from, or about, pregnant women. But did you know that men, women and children have a pelvic floor? And that pelvic floor muscles impact bowel and urination control?Until 18 months of age, a child’s pelvic floor is...
Transgender Health Blog Articles
Understanding Anal Receptive Sex, Safe Binding and Tucking
Happy Pride Month! Sexual wellness and gender expression are an important part of good health. Pelvic floor therapy can play a meaningful role in helping individuals engage in this activity safely and comfortably. Whether you are exploring anal receptive sex,...
Considering Gender-affirming Surgery? A Pelvic-floor Physical Therapist Before and After Surgery Can Help Facilitate Your Recovery
For people seeking gender-affirming surgeries of various kinds, there are benefits to working with a physical therapist before and after surgery. The therapists at Solstice Physiotherapy are experienced in this area and are well equipped to help you along your...
Understanding Transgender Surgeries, Recovery and the Role of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Transgender surgeries, also known as gender-affirming surgeries, are critical procedures that help individuals align their physical bodies with their gender identities. These surgeries can be life-changing - promoting psychological well-being, improving body image and...