A Man Walks into a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Office…
The science and art of physical therapy has many forms and is not reserved only for elite athletes or those recovering from an injury. Nor is pelvic floor health just a focus for women anymore. Physical therapy is a major component of my continued health and wellness plan, when injured or not. My hometown of Bozeman, MT has a great deal of options when it comes to physical therapists, and recently I had the chance to talk with Shannon Sepulveda, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and board-certified women’s health physical therapist.
I have been a patient of Shannon’s for many years, even before having my colon removed last year. Yes, a man going to a pelvic floor physical therapist! I was having pelvic pain and bladder challenges in everyday life and while mountain biking. Shannon’s thoughtful approach and tailored recommendations put me at ease immediately. I have a complicated medical history and she spent time getting to know me and my volumes of medical history. Before my colon surgery, she was an invaluable member of my team, developing exercises to prepare and recover from a rather invasive surgery.
I thought it would be fun to provide a little background on the specialty, whether you just had a baby, are preparing to have your colon removed, or peed your mountain bike shorts like I did trying to climb a small hill.
What is pelvic floor PT and what are some conditions your specialty may help?
Pelvic floor PT is still focused on the musculoskeletal system just like any other PT specialty, but in a more sensitive or private area. A lot of traditional orthopedic PT principles still apply, which happens to be where I got my start in physical therapy. The conditions that I treat range from pregnancy and post-partum issues, urinary urgency, or frequency, all the way to pelvic floor tightness, endometriosis, menopause, neurological diseases like diabetes and MS to diastasis recti (abdominal separation). Many conditions or injuries can impact your pelvic floor, so by no means is this a complete list.
What is pelvic floor PT and how did you decide to focus on the pelvic floor?
My start in orthopedic PT was an integral element to my evolution as a care provider and my focus on the pelvic floor. Orthopedics provided the foundation I needed, but once I had my first child and I experienced first-hand the impact on my body, that’s when I really committed to learning more about the pelvic floor I took several continuing education courses focused on women’s health and pelvic floor physical therapy, then took the extra step of becoming a board-certified women’s health physical therapist.
What is your treatment philosophy?
Listening to my patients is my top priority. I need to understand their needs, wants, and goals. And my focus is not limited to the pain or injury that may have brought them to see me. I feel it is critical to take a holistic approach in the form of understanding the biology, psychology, and social elements that a patient could be facing.
I have the unique benefit of spending at least 60-90 minutes with a patient depending on the session. It’s important for them to first feel safe and comfortable talking to me, as their entire story could provide clues to tailor treatments by me or another member of their care team. Therefore, I often collaborate with their primary care doctor or other specialists to assist in connecting dots that may assist in overall treatment.
Has the field changed since you started?
I have seen more practitioners entering the field, which is fantastic. There are more opportunities for continuing education for not just PT’s, but for other members of the medical community. Not to mention it’s not just a focus of women’s pelvic floor anymore and we aim to be welcoming of all gender identities.
I will also say social media has been a great tool. Several pelvic floor PTs have dedicated their time to posting content to educate and inform people on the various benefits of pelvic floor health. This provides patients a chance to educate themselves and really get a sense of what to expect if they can come in and see a pelvic floor PT.
You mentioned a holistic treatment approach. Can you tell me about the oh hi collective?
Yes! We formed the Oh Hi collective in Bozeman last year. It’s comprised of two licensed sex therapists/counselors and me. Our objective is to provide our community and other practitioners (through continuing education) sex positive, sexual health education . It’s a one stop shop for sexual health! Outside of our clinical work, we host several ongoing and ad-hoc events in Bozeman, including a book club and sex ed talks for adults.
To contact Shannon or learn more about her practice, please visit her website: bozemanpt.com
