By Amira Tal-Henig
When I was in Physical Therapy school, I learned about the body in detail from head to toe. I learned about hips, knees, shoulders, and more, but I never heard anything about the pelvic floor.
After working as a physical therapist for 14 years, I was pregnant with my daughter. She was born in England, and following standard procedure there, a nurse came home to check on the new baby. Without much explanation, the doctor sent me to a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PFPT).
I arrived at my first physical therapy (PT) appointment with my daughter alongside me, resting in her car seat. Within the first few moments of small talk, the physical therapist, Emma, asked me about my profession. After sharing with her that I, too, am a physical therapist, she assumed I was aware of and familiar with PFPT. That was not the case.
Emma worked with me to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and, after a while, she gave me a silver cone and instructed me to, “put it in.”
“You want me to put what??? Where?!?” I asked, bewildered by the notion that the work would now be internal. She looked at me in disbelief and said, “But you’re a physical therapist…”
With my trust in Emma, I did as she said, and we continued to work together to strengthen and heal my PFM. After I finished my PT with Emma, she and I became friends. I would ask her questions about PFPT and she was always kind and eager to share her knowledge with me. I was amazed by the results of my PT. Not only did my PFM heal and grow stronger, but the hip and lower back pain that I had been struggling with also improved dramatically.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude for Emma, and I was also so puzzled by the fact that my education didn’t include PFPT. When I saw how much it helped me, I grew curious and became eager to learn more about it.
After studying CranioSacral Therapy and trauma healing in England for over two years, I realized that I wanted to incorporate this kind of healing into my work in the US. Once back in Michigan, I decided to start my own business and build a clinic that provided quality care with a holistic approach. In December 2001, Healing Hands Physical Therapy was born.
Once I got into the pelvic floor “world” I discovered that it’s not only women who need help. Men can also suffer from pelvic pain, incontinence, and muscle weakness. I decided to take another class, this time about male pelvic health, at Washington University in St Louis–they have a great PT school.
When I arrived to the class, I was very impressed with the facility. I walked into a small amphitheater with a small stage. The teacher stood on the stage at the front, and along the walls hung six TV monitors broadcasting the teacher and her materials for everyone to see.
Read more about Amira Tal-Henig and Healing Hands Physical Therapy in issue #78
At the beginning of the class the teacher said she would need a volunteer. Suddenly, the room fell completely silent. I looked around and remembered all the many classes I’d taken where volunteers had been involved. Not understanding why this would be any different, I said to myself, “Come on Amira, you can do this.”
In previous classes I’d taken, volunteers would lie on their treatment table and other students would hover watching the treatment take place. Being surrounded by other healthcare professionals felt safe and protective. I had no reason not to volunteer, because surely this would be similar.
I was wrong and this was different. Taking a pause from the lecture, the teacher said, “I need my volunteer now.” Our eyes met, I rose and stood close to my treatment table. She made a gesture to come closer, and I started walking toward the stage like she asked, unsure of what was to come.
Once I got on the stage, I saw a treatment table and a screen behind which I was to undress and a sheet to cover myself. Finding my way on to the table, I asked myself again and again why I had felt the need to volunteer—why I was putting myself through this?
The teacher started to explain again about the pelvic floor and how to approach those muscles in a male. As she continued to teach, I kept my head down on the bed and listened intently. Fascinated by what she was teaching, I was carried away from my body and physical surroundings. Being a great teacher, she spoke as she demonstrated. After some time, I was so intrigued by what she was saying I couldn’t help but lift my head. As my gaze lifted, I saw, to my surprise, my buttocks broadcasted upon the six TV monitors! I now understood why the room fell so quiet earlier.
The teacher finished her demonstration, and I was dismissed. Fully clothed, I walked back to my desk and was met by handshakes from the other PTs, thanking me for, “breaking the ice.”
As much as it was hard to go through this experience at the time, I am grateful for it as it became one of my best stories. I share it with my patients and it’s always helpful to facilitate some laughter, which again, helps to break the ice.
Today I am very proud to provide PFPT to the Ann Arbor community. At Healing Hands Physical Therapy we see patients that suffer from pelvic pain, incontinence, dyspareunia (pain with intercourse), vaginismus, and more.
I find this field of physical therapy very rewarding. It is so satisfying to help a couple that can’t conceive due to PFM dysfunction, to reach their goal of becoming parents.
As much as I love working with women and men’s health, Healing Hands Physical Therapy is so much more than that. We have therapists who specialize in orthopedic, musculoskeletal dysfunction, chronic pain, scoliosis and more. Each therapist that joins HHPT has the same core values: high quality, individualized, and consistent care. We work together to help patients find relief from pain, gain strength, and in turn, improve their overall well-being.
I am very proud of what Healing Hands Physical Therapy has become, and I’d like to invite you to see for yourself. If you’re suffering from pain, limited mobility, or recovering from a surgery, we welcome you with open arms.
At Healing Hands Physical Therapy, you’re in good hands.
Visit Healing Hands Physical Therapy online at physicaltherapyannarbor.com to learn more.
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I arrived at my first physical therapy (PT) appointment with my daughter alongside me, resting in her car seat. Within the first few moments of small talk, the physical therapist, Emma, asked me about my profession. After sharing with her that I, too, am a physical therapist, she assumed I was aware of and familiar with PFPT. That was not the case.