Healing Your Gut Garden: A Simple Framework for Bloating, IBS, and Gut Health in Hoover, AL

Healing Your Gut Garden: A Simple Framework for Bloating, IBS, and Gut Health in Hoover, AL

Why "everything looks normal" doesn't mean you feel normal — and what to do about it.

If you've been told your labs and scans look fine, but you're still dealing with daily bloating, unpredictable bowels, reflux, or foods that suddenly "don't agree with you" anymore — you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Gut issues like these are some of the most common (and most dismissed) complaints we hear from patients here at Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover.

One of the clearest ways we've heard the gut explained recently comes from integrative gut health physician Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad, who describes the gut not as a simple tube, but as a garden — a living ecosystem with four interconnected systems that all need care for digestion to run smoothly.

Your Gut Is a Garden, Not a Tube

Most of us picture digestion as a straight line: food goes in one end, waste comes out the other. But that mental model doesn't explain why someone can have a "normal" colonoscopy and still feel miserable every day.

Instead, think of your gut as a garden with four parts:

1. Irrigation (Motility) — how well food and waste move through your system

2. Pollinators (Digestion) — the stomach acid, enzymes, and bile that break food down

3. Garden Soil (Gut Lining) — the integrity of your intestinal wall

4. Plants & Weeds (Microbiome) — the balance of good vs. bad bacteria

When even one of these four systems is out of balance, symptoms show up — bloating, irregular bowels, reflux, food sensitivities, fatigue, brain fog, skin flare-ups, and more.

Start With These Two Systems First

If you're not sure where to begin, the two highest-impact places to start are motility and digestion.

For motility: a nightly magnesium blend (citrate/glycinate/malate) supports regular, complete bowel movements, and a natural prokinetic like ginger and artichoke activates your gut's overnight "cleaning waves." Movement matters too — a short walk after meals keeps things moving, while sitting or lying down slows everything down.

For digestion: a high-potency digestive enzyme with meals helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates so food doesn't sit and ferment. If you don't have a supplement on hand, a splash of lemon water or apple cider vinegar before eating can help in a pinch.

These two steps alone resolve a meaningful portion of everyday bloating and digestive discomfort.

What's Really Behind "IBS"

IBS affects an estimated 10–15% of the population, but here's the important nuance: IBS is a label for a cluster of symptoms, not a root-cause diagnosis. A significant portion of IBS cases trace back to an underlying, testable issue — most notably SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), where bacteria that should be living in the colon back up into the small intestine and begin fermenting food too early. That fermentation is what produces the gas, bloating, and altered bowel habits so many people live with daily.

The takeaway: if you've been told you have IBS and handed a symptom-management plan, it may be worth asking what's actually driving it.

Simple Daily Habits That Make a Real Difference

Beyond supplements, how and when you eat matters as much as what you eat:

• Space meals 4–5 hours apart to let your gut complete its natural cleaning cycles

• Eat mindfully — put devices away and take a few deep breaths before eating to shift your body out of "fight or flight" and into "rest and digest"

• Eat only when truly hungry, when digestive secretions are strongest

• Stay active after meals rather than sitting or lying down

• Go easy on water during meals so you don't dilute your stomach acid and enzymes; save most of your water for about 45 minutes afterward

The Gut Connects to More Than Digestion

What happens in your gut doesn't stay in your gut. An imbalanced gut ecosystem has been linked to skin flare-ups (eczema, acne, psoriasis), anxiety and brain fog, thyroid antibody activity in conditions like Hashimoto's, blood sugar and insulin regulation, and sudden new food sensitivities — including reactions to genuinely healthy foods. That last point matters: if a healthy food is suddenly bothering you, it doesn't mean the food is the enemy. It usually means your gut environment needs support before that food can be tolerated again.

When Gut Health Meets Pelvic Health

At Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy, we see this connection constantly: chronic bloating, straining, and irregular bowel patterns don't just affect digestion — they affect the pelvic floor too. Constipation and excessive straining place ongoing pressure on pelvic floor muscles, and bloating-related abdominal pressure can aggravate pelvic pain and dysfunction. If you're working on gut health, it's worth having a conversation about how it intersects with your pelvic floor.

Where to Start

If daily bloating, irregular bowels, or food sensitivities have become your normal, know that it doesn't have to stay that way. Start with the two foundational steps — motility and digestion support — and pay attention to how your body responds over the next few weeks.

If you'd like to talk through how your gut health may be connected to pelvic floor symptoms you're experiencing, schedule a visit with us in Hoover — we're happy to help you connect the dots.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Persistent or severe gut symptoms — including blood in the stool, persistent vomiting, or unexplained weight loss — should be evaluated by a physician promptly.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): Why Exercise Feels So Hard — and How to Rebuild It Safely

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): Why Exercise Feels So Hard — and How to Rebuild It Safely

If you've ever pushed through a workout only to end up covered in hives, wiped out for two days, or dealing with a racing heart and stomach chaos hours later, you already know that "just push through it" advice doesn't work for your body. For many people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), exercise isn't a simple matter of willpower — it's a legitimate physiological trigger.

At Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover, AL, we work with women navigating MCAS every week, often alongside hypermobility (EDS/HSD) and POTS. Here's what MCAS actually is, why it makes movement so complicated, and how a graded, informed approach can help you get back to exercise without paying for it for days afterward.

What Is MCAS?

Mast cells are part of your immune system. Normally, they release chemicals like histamine in response to real threats — an allergen, an injury, an infection. In MCAS, mast cells become overactive and release these chemicals too easily and too often, in response to triggers that shouldn't cause a reaction at all: certain foods, temperature changes, stress, friction on the skin, and — critically for our purposes — exercise.

Common MCAS symptoms include:

• Flushing, hives, or itching

• GI symptoms (nausea, cramping, diarrhea, bloating)

• Dizziness or a racing heart

• Brain fog and fatigue

• Headaches

• Reactions to foods, medications, or scents that didn't used to bother you

Because mast cells live throughout the body — skin, gut, blood vessels, airways — MCAS symptoms can show up almost anywhere, which is part of why it's so often misdiagnosed or dismissed for years before someone gets an answer.

Why MCAS, Hypermobility, and POTS Often Show Up Together

If you have MCAS, there's a reasonable chance you've also been diagnosed with — or wondered about — hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Clinicians increasingly refer to these three as a "trifecta" because they cluster together so frequently.

The overlap matters clinically: a hypermobile patient is dealing with joint instability and altered proprioception, a POTS patient is dealing with blood pressure and heart rate regulation on top of exertion, and an MCAS patient is dealing with a nervous system that can treat exercise itself as a trigger. When two or three of these are in play at once, a generic "just start walking more" prescription usually backfires — and that failure isn't a lack of effort. It's a mismatched plan.

Why Exercise Specifically Triggers MCAS Symptoms

Physical activity naturally raises your core body temperature and shifts blood flow throughout your body. For most people, that's simply part of exercising. For someone with MCAS, those same changes — heat, pressure, friction, increased circulation — can be enough to set off mast cell degranulation, releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators.

This is why MCAS-related exercise reactions don't always look like a typical "bad workout." They can include:

• Flushing or hives that show up mid-session or right after

• A sudden drop in blood pressure or a spike in heart rate

• GI symptoms that hit later that day

• A crash in energy that lingers 24 to 48 hours later

That delayed timeline is one of the most important — and most overlooked — pieces of the puzzle. If your worst symptoms show up a day or two after a workout, it's easy to miss the connection entirely.

So Should You Just Avoid Exercise Altogether?

No — and this is where many patients get stuck. Deconditioning makes orthostatic symptoms and joint instability worse over time, which is exactly the opposite of what you need if POTS or hypermobility are also part of your picture. The goal isn't to avoid movement forever. It's to reintroduce it in a way your mast cells can actually tolerate.

A Safer Way to Rebuild Exercise Tolerance

We often adapt the graded exercise frameworks used for POTS rehabilitation, with additional protections layered in for mast cell sensitivity:

1. Get medically stabilized first. Work with your prescribing provider on antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, and ask whether pre-exercise dosing makes sense for you.

2. Start reclined, not upright. Recumbent or floor-based positions reduce the combined load of orthostatic stress and rising body temperature.

3. Start shorter than feels necessary. Five to ten minutes is a completely reasonable starting point. We build duration and frequency before we build intensity.

4. Control the environment. A cool room, breathable clothing, and thoughtful timing around meals and medications all reduce the odds of stacking triggers on top of exercise.

5. Track for 48 hours, not just same-day. Because MCAS reactions can be delayed, a simple symptom log — same day, next day, two days later — helps identify patterns that a single workout can't reveal.

6. Progress slowly and expect a non-linear path. Tolerance-building with MCAS is often slower than a standard exercise progression, and that's normal, not a sign of failure.

Where Pelvic Floor PT Fits In

Many of our MCAS patients also deal with bladder urgency, pelvic pain, or bowel symptoms — not surprising, given how much visceral sensitivity and autonomic regulation overlap with mast cell activity. A pelvic floor evaluation lets us build your movement plan around what your whole system is doing, not just your muscles in isolation, and to keep positioning and breath mechanics safe if hypermobility is part of your presentation too.

You're Not Imagining This

If you've been told your symptoms are "just anxiety" or that you simply need to exercise more, know that MCAS is a real, recognized condition — and that the right starting point looks very different from a standard fitness plan. With the right pacing, environment, and medical support, movement can become something your body tolerates again instead of something it punishes you for.

Ready to build an exercise plan that actually works with your body? Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy specializes in complex presentations like MCAS, hypermobility, and POTS. Schedule a pelvic floor and orthopedic assessment today.

📍 2481 Valleydale Rd, Hoover, AL 35244 📞 205-515-0258 ✉️ kayesharppt@gmail.com 🌐 sharpphysicaltherapy.com

This blog post is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Please consult your physician regarding diagnosis and management of MCAS.

POTS and Physical Therapy: What Hoover, AL Patients Need to Know

POTS and Physical Therapy: What Hoover, AL Patients Need to Know

If standing up too fast makes your heart race, your vision blur, or leaves you needing to sit back down — you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS, affects an estimated 1 in 500 people, most commonly women between their teens and their 40s. And yet many patients spend years bouncing between providers before anyone puts a name to what they're feeling.

If you're in Hoover or the greater Birmingham area and searching for answers, here's what the current research says about POTS — and why physical therapy, done the right way, is one of the most effective tools we have.

What Is POTS, Really?

POTS is a condition of the autonomic nervous system — the part of your body that runs on autopilot, regulating things like heart rate and blood pressure without you thinking about it. When you stand up, your body is supposed to automatically adjust blood flow so your brain stays well-supplied. In POTS, that system misfires. Blood pools in your legs, your heart rate spikes to compensate, and symptoms follow: lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, brain fog, fatigue, nausea, and sometimes fainting.

It's diagnosed when your heart rate increases by more than 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing, without a drop in blood pressure. Many people living with POTS also have joint hypermobility or a connective tissue condition like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) — more on why that matters below.

Why "Just Exercise More" Feels Impossible (and Isn't the Right Advice)

If you've been told to exercise more and it made you feel worse, that's not a failure on your part — it's a sign the exercise wasn't dosed correctly for a body with POTS. Standard workouts ask your cardiovascular system to fight gravity right away, which is exactly what a dysregulated autonomic system struggles with.

The research-backed approach works differently. It starts you lying down or seated — recumbent bike, rowing, swimming — so your heart doesn't have to work against gravity while it reconditions. Over weeks and months, activity is gradually shifted toward upright positions as your tolerance builds. This isn't a shortcut; it's a deliberate, evidence-based sequence used in programs developed at institutions like UT Southwestern and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and it's backed by current systematic reviews identifying exercise as a first-line treatment for POTS.

It's also normal to feel a little worse before you feel better in the first few weeks. That's your nervous system recalibrating — not a sign to stop, but a sign to go slow and stay consistent.

The Daily Habits That Make the Biggest Difference

Alongside exercise, current guidelines point to a few non-negotiables:

• Fluids — most guidelines target around 3 liters a day

• Sodium — roughly 10 grams a day, which is more than most people expect

• Compression — waist-high compression garments to reduce blood pooling in the legs

• Positioning — sleeping with your head slightly elevated, and learning counter-pressure techniques (like crossing your legs or tensing your muscles) for symptom flares

None of these replace a supervised reconditioning program, but they make the exercise progression easier to tolerate.

The Connection Most Providers Miss: POTS, Hypermobility, and Your Pelvic Floor

Here's where our practice's background matters. A growing body of research points to significant overlap between POTS, joint hypermobility (including hypermobile EDS), and pelvic floor dysfunction. If you have POTS and you've been dealing with pelvic pain, bladder urgency, or a pelvic floor that never quite feels "right," those two things may not be separate problems.

In hypermobile connective tissue, pelvic floor muscles often aren't weak — they're overworking, trying to create stability your connective tissue isn't providing on its own. That means the standard advice (strengthen it, do more Kegels) can actually make things worse. What helps instead is retraining how your diaphragm, deep core, and pelvic floor coordinate together — which also happens to support better blood pressure regulation and symptom control for POTS itself.

This is a piece of the puzzle that a general cardiac rehab program or a standard physical therapy clinic usually isn't trained to see.

What This Looks Like in Practice

A well-built POTS program should include:

1. A real assessment — orthostatic vitals, a hypermobility screen, and (when relevant) a pelvic floor and breathing evaluation

2. A recumbent-first exercise progression, individualized to your own baseline rather than a generic chart

3. Education on the fluid, salt, and compression habits that support your progress

4. Ongoing communication with your physician, since POTS management often involves a care team

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

If you're in Hoover, Birmingham, or the surrounding area and you're dealing with POTS symptoms — especially alongside pelvic floor issues, hormonal changes, or joint hypermobility — we'd be glad to talk through what a personalized program could look like for you.

This post is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical advice. Please work with your physician to confirm a POTS diagnosis before starting a new exercise program.

Endometriosis in 2026: What's New in Diagnosis, Treatment- and Where Pelvic Floor Therapy Fits In

Endometriosis in 2026: What's New in Diagnosis, Treatment — and Where Pelvic Floor Therapy Fits In

Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet it still takes years — often 7 to 10 — for many women to get an accurate diagnosis. The good news: 2026 has brought real movement on this front, from faster diagnostic pathways to new non-hormonal treatments in the pipeline. Here's what's current, what hasn't changed, and how pelvic floor physical therapy fits into your care team either way.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder, or other pelvic structures. This tissue responds to hormonal cycles just like the uterine lining does, but it has nowhere to go, leading to inflammation, scar tissue, and adhesions.

Common Symptoms

• Severe pelvic pain, especially during periods

• Pain during or after sex

• Pain with bowel movements or urination, particularly during menstruation

• Heavy or irregular bleeding

• Fatigue

• Infertility or difficulty conceiving

• Bloating or GI symptoms sometimes mistaken for IBS

Importantly, the severity of pain doesn't always correlate with how much endometrial tissue is present — some women with extensive disease have minimal pain, while others with small amounts have debilitating symptoms.

What's New: Faster Diagnosis

For years, laparoscopic surgery was considered the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis, which contributed heavily to diagnostic delays. That's shifting. Updated guidance now supports diagnosing endometriosis based on clinical findings and imaging tests, with earlier treatment initiation when appropriate. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now states that a clinical diagnosis made through symptom-based assessment, physical examination, or both is sufficient to begin medical treatment, with diagnostic laparoscopy reserved as a confirming step rather than a mandatory first step.

In practice, this means women may no longer need to wait for surgery to start getting treated — a meaningful shift toward reducing the diagnostic delay that has plagued this condition for decades.

What's New: Precision Medicine on the Horizon

Most people diagnosed with endometriosis are first treated with progesterone-based birth control, but roughly a third of patients don't respond to this therapy, while others discontinue it due to side effects. Researchers at Yale have been working on biomarker-based testing designed to help predict which patients will respond to which treatments, aiming to reduce the trial-and-error many women currently experience.

What's New: Non-Hormonal Treatment in the Pipeline

Historically, treatment options have centered on hormonal suppression (birth control, GnRH agonists) or surgery. That's starting to diversify. The FDA has cleared an Investigational New Drug application for a first-in-class, non-hormonal targeted peptide therapeutic designed specifically to address endometriosis lesions and associated symptoms. This treatment is entering early-phase clinical trials, so it's not available yet — but it represents a meaningful shift toward treatment options that don't rely on suppressing the reproductive hormone cycle altogether.

What Hasn't Changed: The Role of the Pelvic Floor

Here's what all of this new research doesn't address directly, and where I come in as a pelvic floor physical therapist: chronic pelvic pain changes the muscles around it.

When the pelvis experiences ongoing inflammation and pain signaling from endometriosis, the pelvic floor muscles often respond by guarding — tightening protectively, the same way your shoulders might creep up toward your ears during a stressful week. Over time, that guarding pattern can become its own independent source of pain, separate from (but layered on top of) the underlying endometriosis.

This is why some women continue to experience pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, or bladder and bowel symptoms even after surgical excision or hormonal treatment has addressed the endometrial tissue itself. The muscles learned a pattern, and that pattern doesn't always resolve on its own.

How Pelvic Floor Therapy Helps

• Down-training overactive muscles — manual therapy and targeted exercises to release chronically guarded pelvic floor muscles

• Addressing pain with intercourse — a common and under-discussed endometriosis symptom that responds well to pelvic floor treatment

• Bladder and bowel retraining — for the urgency, frequency, or constipation patterns that often accompany endometriosis

• Scar tissue mobilization — after laparoscopic or excision surgery, to reduce adhesion-related restriction

• Whole-body strategies — breathing patterns, posture, and nervous system regulation that influence how the pelvic floor holds tension

Pelvic floor therapy isn't a replacement for medical or surgical management of endometriosis — it works best as part of a coordinated care team alongside your OB-GYN, and a reproductive endocrinologist or excision specialist when needed. But it directly addresses the muscular piece of the puzzle that medication and surgery alone often can't fully resolve.

If You Suspect Endometriosis

If you're dealing with pelvic pain, painful periods, or pain with intercourse that's affecting your daily life, you don't need to wait years for a diagnosis, and you don't need to navigate it alone. Start a conversation with your OB-GYN about your symptoms, and consider a pelvic floor evaluation to address the muscular component that so often accompanies this condition.

Ready to talk about your pelvic pain? Contact Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy at 205-515-0258 or visit sharpphysicaltherapy.com to schedule an evaluation.

This post is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Please consult your physician regarding diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

Your Period is a Vital Sign- Here's What it's Trying to Tell You

Your Period Is a Vital Sign — Here's What It's Trying to Tell You

You check your blood pressure. You track your heart rate. You probably know your resting pulse better than you know your own cycle length.

But here's what most women were never taught: your menstrual cycle is a vital sign — just like blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has said as much for over a decade. Your cycle is a monthly readout of your overall health — hormonal, metabolic, nutritional, and yes, even musculoskeletal.

And when something's off with a vital sign, we don't ignore it. We investigate.

Myth: "Painful Periods Are Just Normal"

This is one of the most common things I hear in the clinic, and it's one of the most damaging myths in women's health.

Mild cramping in the first day or two of your period? That can be normal — it's your uterus contracting to shed its lining. But pain that:

• Sends you to bed

• Requires you to miss work, school, or workouts

• Doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication

• Comes with nausea, vomiting, or fainting

• Is accompanied by pain with sex, bowel movements, or urination

...is not something you should just "push through." That level of pain is your body signaling something deeper — often involving the pelvic floor muscles, which can become overactive, guarded, or restricted in response to underlying inflammation, endometriosis, or other conditions. As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I see this connection constantly: cyclic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction feed each other in a loop that won't break on its own without the right intervention.

Myth: "Irregular Periods Are Just Your Body Being Weird"

A predictable cycle is a sign that the finely tuned communication between your brain, ovaries, thyroid, and adrenal glands is working the way it's supposed to.

When cycles become irregular — significantly longer or shorter than your norm, unpredictable, or absent altogether — it's often a sign of something worth investigating: thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, perimenopause, over-exercising, under-eating, or chronic stress overwhelming your HPA axis.

Irregularity isn't a personality trait of your body. It's data.

Your Period Shouldn't Run Your Life

A period that derails your week — physically or emotionally — every single month is not something to just plan around forever. Between symptom management, hormone regulation, and yes, pelvic floor rehabilitation, there is almost always something that can meaningfully change your experience of your cycle.

You deserve to move through your month without dread.

Why Tracking Matters

You can't investigate a pattern you're not tracking. Cycle tracking gives you (and any provider you work with) real data instead of vague impressions of "sometimes it's bad."

At minimum, track:

• Cycle length (day 1 of bleeding to day 1 of the next period)

• Flow (light, moderate, heavy, clots)

• Pain (location, intensity, what helps or worsens it)

• Associated symptoms (mood, bloating, headaches, bowel or bladder changes, breast tenderness)

• Ovulation signs, if you're tracking fertility or hormone patterns

A few months of consistent tracking will tell you more about your hormonal health than a single lab draw ever could — and it arms you with specifics instead of guesswork when you sit down with a provider.

When to Ask for Help

If your cycle involves pain that limits your life, unpredictability that worries you, or symptoms that just don't add up — that's your body asking for a closer look, not something to white-knuckle through indefinitely.

At Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy, this is exactly where I come in. Cyclic pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, bladder and bowel changes tied to your cycle, and the muscular guarding patterns that often accompany hormonal shifts are all things we assess and treat directly — often alongside your OB-GYN or other providers, not instead of them.

Your cycle is talking. Let's find out what it's saying.

Ready to get answers about your cycle? Contact Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy at 205-515-0258 or visit sharpphysicaltherapy.com to schedule an evaluation.

Tailbone Pain vs. Lower Back Pain: How to Tell the Difference

"My back hurts" can mean a lot of different things — and one of the most commonly confused (and mistreated) pain patterns is tailbone pain that gets lumped in with general low back pain. They're not the same condition, and treating one like the other usually means treatment that doesn't work.

## Where the Pain Actually Is

**Tailbone pain (coccydynia)** is felt at the very base of the spine — the small, pointed bone you can feel if you press just above where your glutes meet. It's typically:

- Sharp or localized directly at the tailbone

- Worse with direct sitting pressure, especially on hard surfaces

- Aggravated by leaning back while seated

- Often painful when standing up from sitting

- Sometimes worse during bowel movements

**Lower back pain** is felt higher up, across the lumbar spine and often into the hips or buttocks. It's typically:

- Broader and less localized

- Worse with bending, lifting, or twisting

- Often accompanied by stiffness in the morning

- Sometimes radiating down one or both legs (which tailbone pain rarely does)

## Why the Distinction Matters

Lower back pain is frequently addressed with core strengthening, spinal mobility work, and general postural correction. While that approach can be part of a coccydynia treatment plan too, it misses the piece that actually resolves most tailbone pain: the pelvic floor.

The muscles and ligaments that attach to the coccyx are part of the pelvic floor, not the lumbar spine. If those muscles are tight, guarded, or imbalanced — from an old injury, childbirth, prolonged sitting, or postural habits — general back exercises won't touch the source of the pain, and can sometimes aggravate it.

## Can You Have Both at Once?

Yes, and it's fairly common. Pelvic floor tension and lumbar spine dysfunction often develop together, especially after pregnancy, prolonged sitting jobs, or a fall. This is exactly why a thorough evaluation matters — treating only the back when the tailbone is the real driver (or vice versa) leaves you stuck in a cycle of partial relief.

## How to Know Which One You're Dealing With

A few quick self-check questions:

- Does pressing directly on your tailbone reproduce the pain? → Points toward coccydynia

- Is the pain worse with bending or lifting rather than sitting? → Points toward lumbar back pain

- Does pain radiate down your leg? → More typical of lumbar spine involvement

- Is standing up from a chair the worst part of your day? → Common with coccydynia

These are starting points, not a diagnosis — an in-person evaluation is the most reliable way to know for sure.

## Getting the Right Evaluation

A pelvic floor physical therapist is trained to assess both the coccyx and the surrounding pelvic floor musculature — something general orthopedic back treatment typically doesn't include. If your "back pain" isn't responding to standard treatment, it may be worth asking whether the tailbone, not the lumbar spine, is the actual source.

*Learn more about tailbone pain and coccydynia treatment at Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy, or call 205-515-0258 to schedule an evaluation.*

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**Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy**

Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC | 2481 Valleydale Rd, Hoover, AL 35244 | 205-515-0258 | sharpphysicaltherapy.com

Postpartum Tailbone Pain: When to Worry (and When It’s Normal)

If you had a baby and now can't sit through a meal, a car ride, or a nursing session without wincing, you're not imagining it — and you're not alone. Tailbone pain after childbirth is common, but that doesn't mean you have to just wait it out.

Why Childbirth Affects the Tailbone

During vaginal delivery, the coccyx (tailbone) has to move out of the way to make room for the baby to pass through the pelvis. In most deliveries, it flexes and returns to its normal position without lasting issue. But in some cases:

• The coccyx is bruised or strained from the pressure of delivery

• It becomes excessively mobile or shifts out of alignment

• In rarer cases, it fractures or dislocates

• The surrounding pelvic floor muscles tighten and guard in response to labor, referring pain to the tailbone even when the bone itself is fine

That last point is one people miss most often. Postpartum tailbone pain isn't always about the tailbone — it's frequently about the pelvic floor muscles that attach around it.

What's Normal in the First Few Weeks

Some tenderness and discomfort sitting during the first two to six weeks postpartum is common as tissues heal. Ice, supportive cushions, and avoiding long stretches of sitting on hard surfaces can help in this early window.

When It's Worth Getting Evaluated

Consider a pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation if:

• Tailbone pain is still significant beyond six to eight weeks postpartum

• Sitting pain is getting worse rather than better

• You notice pain radiating into the hips, low back, or with bowel movements

• Standing up from sitting is sharply painful

• You feel like something "shifted" during delivery and hasn't felt right since

These aren't signs to push through — they're signs a proper evaluation can identify what's actually going on and get you on a faster path to relief.

What a Pelvic Floor Evaluation Looks At

A thorough postpartum tailbone assessment considers the coccyx itself, but also:

• Pelvic floor muscle tone and symmetry

• Scar tissue from delivery (including perineal or C-section scarring, which can refer tension to the pelvic floor)

• Sitting posture and weight-bearing patterns

• Core and hip strength as they relate to pelvic support

Treatment is typically hands-on and gradual — manual therapy, guided breathing and relaxation work for the pelvic floor, scar mobilization when appropriate, and a return-to-activity plan that doesn't aggravate the area.

The Bottom Line

Tailbone pain after childbirth is common, but "common" doesn't mean you have to live with it for months. If it's not improving on its own, a pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation can pinpoint the cause and get you moving — and sitting — comfortably again.

Learn more about tailbone pain and coccydynia treatment at Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy, or call 205-515-0258 to schedule an evaluation.

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC | 2481 Valleydale Rd, Hoover, AL 35244 | 205-515-0258 | sharpphysicaltherapy.com

Is It a UTI- or Something Else? What Every Woman Should Know About Chronic Bladder Pain

Women's Health · Pelvic Floor · Bladder Pain

Is It a UTI — or Something Else? What Every Woman Should Know About Chronic Bladder Pain

Urgency, frequency, pelvic pressure — and antibiotics that never quite work. There's a name for this, and there's help.

Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC · Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy · Hoover, AL

You've had the burning. The urgency. The feeling that you absolutely cannot wait another minute. You've taken the antibiotic, felt slightly better — and then a few weeks later, it's back again. Your doctor says the culture is negative this time. And you're left wondering: what is actually happening?

For millions of women, the answer is not a urinary tract infection at all. It's Interstitial Cystitis, also called Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) — a chronic condition of the bladder and nervous system that mimics UTI symptoms but doesn't respond to antibiotics, because bacteria aren't the cause.

IC/BPS is estimated to affect up to 8 million women in the United States, yet it takes an average of 4–7 years to diagnose. Women are frequently dismissed, overtreated with antibiotics, or told their symptoms are stress-related — when in fact there is a real, treatable physiological condition driving every single symptom.

As a pelvic floor physical therapist with 30 years of experience, I've seen this pattern more times than I can count. The good news: with the right treatment approach, most women experience significant, lasting improvement. This post is a starting point for anyone who suspects IC/BPS might be part of their story.

What Is IC/BPS?

Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is a chronic condition defined by bladder pain or pressure, urinary urgency, and frequent urination — without any active bacterial infection or structural abnormality to explain it.

Two overlapping problems drive the condition:

A compromised bladder lining. The healthy bladder is coated with a protective glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer that prevents urine from irritating the bladder wall. In IC/BPS, this layer becomes thin or "leaky," allowing acidic urine to inflame the tissue underneath — producing pain and urgency even with a small amount of urine.

A sensitized nervous system. IC/BPS involves central sensitization — the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, turning up the volume on bladder signals until even minor bladder filling feels like an emergency. This is why symptoms persist even when the bladder appears structurally normal on imaging.

Common IC/BPS symptoms

Bladder pain or pressure that worsens as the bladder fills

Urinary urgency — needing to go right now

Frequent urination: 8–12+ times per day

Pelvic, hip, or low back pain

Pain with or after sexual intercourse

Nocturia — waking at night to urinate

Flares after certain foods or drinks

Negative urine culture — no bacteria found

IC/BPS vs. UTI: How to tell the difference

Feature	UTI	IC/BPS
Urine culture	Positive (bacteria present)	Negative (no bacteria)
Response to antibiotics	Usually resolves	Does not improve
Duration	Days to weeks	Months to years
Pain pattern	Burning on urination	Pressure or pain throughout the day
Food/drink triggers	Uncommon	Very common (caffeine, citrus, alcohol)
Pelvic floor tenderness	Uncommon	Common — often a key finding

Important: IC/BPS is a diagnosis of exclusion — meaning other causes (infection, cancer, structural issues) are ruled out first. If you have persistent bladder symptoms with consistently negative urine cultures, a referral to urology and/or a pelvic floor PT evaluation is appropriate next step.

Who Gets IC/BPS?

IC/BPS affects women across all ages and life stages — not just older women. That said, certain groups have higher rates of diagnosis and distinct contributing factors worth understanding.

Women of reproductive age IC/BPS often begins in the 20s–40s, frequently following a pelvic infection, childbirth, or period of prolonged stress. Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle can drive symptom flares.

Postpartum women Pelvic floor changes during pregnancy and delivery, combined with disrupted sleep and elevated stress, create conditions where IC/BPS can emerge or worsen significantly.

Perimenopause & menopause Declining estrogen affects the bladder lining, urethral tissue, and pelvic floor directly — often triggering new IC symptoms or dramatically worsening existing ones.

Women with other pelvic conditions IC/BPS commonly co-exists with endometriosis, vulvodynia, IBS, fibromyalgia, and pelvic organ prolapse. Treating it in isolation often misses the bigger picture.

The menopause connection: Estrogen maintains the protective GAG layer of the bladder and the health of urethral and vaginal tissues. As estrogen declines, bladder reactivity increases — which is why many women first develop or dramatically worsen IC symptoms during perimenopause. If this applies to you, ask your gynecologist about local vaginal estrogen as a complement to pelvic PT care.

Why Your Pelvic Floor Matters — and Why Kegels Are Not the Answer

Here's the part most women don't expect to hear: the pelvic floor in IC/BPS is almost always too tight, not too weak.

In response to chronic bladder pain and urgency, the pelvic floor muscles brace and guard — for months, then years. Over time, this creates myofascial trigger points: tight, tender knots within the pelvic floor, hip, and abdominal muscles that generate their own pain and urgency signals, entirely separate from the bladder itself.

Kegel exercises — repeated contractions of the pelvic floor — significantly worsen this pattern. The American Urological Association's 2022 Clinical Guidelines give a Grade A (strongest) recommendation to avoid pelvic floor strengthening in IC/BPS. What the pelvic floor actually needs is release, downtraining, and hands-on manual therapy to deactivate trigger points. That is exactly what a trained pelvic floor physical therapist provides.

The pelvic floor doesn't need to be stronger in IC/BPS. It needs to be trusted to let go. Teaching that release — and watching the urgency and pain follow — is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.

— Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC

Five Pillars of IC/BPS Relief

Effective IC/BPS treatment is multimodal — it addresses the bladder, the pelvic floor, the nervous system, diet, and lifestyle at the same time. The following five pillars form the foundation of care:

PILLAR 1Dietary Modification

Acidic and irritating foods directly inflame the bladder lining. The most common culprits: caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, citrus, tomatoes, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners. A 2-week elimination trial followed by systematic reintroduction identifies your personal triggers. Prelief® (calcium glycerophosphate) can be taken before trigger foods as a rescue tool to neutralize acidity.

PILLAR 2Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Hands-on manual therapy — targeting trigger points in the pelvic floor, hip, abdomen, and inner thighs — is the strongest evidence-based physical treatment for IC/BPS. 360° core breathing (expanding the ribcage in all directions, coordinated with pelvic floor release) forms the foundation of home practice. No Kegel exercises. The goal is release, not contraction.

PILLAR 3Bladder Retraining

Gradually increasing the interval between voids — starting where you are, adding 15 minutes per week — retrains the bladder-brain connection. Urge suppression techniques (slow deep breathing, distraction, avoiding "just in case" voiding) reduce the perceived urgency over time and restore confidence in the bladder's ability to wait.

PILLAR 4Pain Neuroscience Education

Understanding that IC/BPS is a sensitized nervous system — not a damaged or failing bladder — is itself a therapeutic intervention. Research shows that reframing chronic pain reduces fear-avoidance behaviors and improves treatment outcomes. Stress, poor sleep, and anxiety directly amplify IC symptoms, and addressing these is part of comprehensive care.

PILLAR 5Hormonal & Lifestyle Support

For women at any hormonal life stage — postpartum, cycling, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal — addressing hormonal contributors can significantly shift the treatment baseline. Sleep quality, stress management, movement, and (when appropriate) hormonal support all have direct clinical relevance to IC/BPS outcomes.

What to Expect from Treatment

A typical course of pelvic PT for IC/BPS runs 10–12 weeks of weekly sessions. Most patients notice meaningful change by sessions 4–6. The first visit includes a comprehensive assessment of pelvic floor function, symptom history, dietary patterns, and contributing factors — followed by a personalized plan.

Pelvic PT works best as part of a coordinated team. Depending on your presentation, this may include urology (to rule out Hunner lesions or evaluate medication options), gynecology (hormonal support), and in some cases a CBT therapist for pain-related anxiety.

You don't need a referral. In Alabama, you can schedule directly with a pelvic floor physical therapist without a physician referral. If you're unsure whether IC/BPS is contributing to your symptoms, an evaluation is the right first step.

Common Questions

Can IC/BPS be cured?

IC/BPS is chronic, but that doesn't mean symptoms are permanent or unmanageable. Most patients who engage with a comprehensive treatment program reach a point where symptoms are minimal and well-controlled with lifestyle habits. The goal is getting your life back — not waiting for a cure.

Can I exercise with IC/BPS?

Yes, with modification. High-impact activities can aggravate symptoms during flares, but walking, swimming, yoga, and modified Pilates are generally well tolerated. Part of pelvic PT is building a sustainable movement practice around your bladder — not eliminating movement altogether.

Is IC/BPS related to interstitial nephritis or kidney disease?

No — despite the similar name, IC/BPS is a bladder condition and is unrelated to kidney disease or nephritis. The "interstitial" in IC refers to the tissue between the bladder's inner lining and its muscle layer.

Do I need a formal IC diagnosis before starting pelvic PT?

No. If you have pelvic floor tenderness and bladder symptoms — regardless of formal diagnosis — pelvic PT evaluation is appropriate. We can work alongside your medical providers as the diagnostic picture clarifies.

How many sessions will I need?

A typical IC/BPS course of care is 10–12 weekly sessions of 45–60 minutes. Some patients improve significantly by session 6; others need longer. You'll receive a personalized plan at your initial evaluation based on your specific presentation.

You Don't Have to Keep Rearranging Your Life Around Your Bladder

If you're in the Hoover or Birmingham area and experiencing bladder pain, urgency, or pelvic floor symptoms, schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC.

Book Your Evaluation → 205-515-0258 · sharpphysicaltherapy.com · Hoover, AL

KS

Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC

Women's Health Certified · 30 Years of Orthopedic & Pelvic PT Experience

Kaye is the owner of Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover, Alabama. She specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction, IC/BPS, and women's health across the lifespan — including postpartum recovery, hormonal transitions, and menopause. She holds the Women's Health Certification (WHC) from the Integrative Women's Health Institute.

Interstitial Cystitis Bladder Pain Syndrome IC/BPS Pelvic Floor PT Bladder Health Chronic Pelvic Pain Women's Health Hoover AL Birmingham AL Menopause Postpartum

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy
2481 Valleydale Road · Hoover, AL 35244 · 205-515-0258 · sharpphysicaltherapy.com

This post is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Based on AUA IC/BPS Guidelines 2022.

10 Benefits of Yoga for Your Pelvic Floor

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy

Women's Health · Orthopedics · Hoover, Alabama

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Women's Health Education

10 Benefits of Yoga
for Your Pelvic Floor

How mindful movement supports bladder, bowel, core, and sexual health across every stage of a woman's life.

By Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy Hoover, AL

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form the base of your core — supporting your bladder, bowel, uterus, and spine. When these muscles are too tight, too weak, or poorly coordinated, the effects ripple out into every area of life. Yoga, practiced mindfully, is one of the most powerful tools we have for restoring pelvic floor health. Here's why.

01

Improves Pelvic Floor Awareness

Breath-focused yoga helps you consciously tune into, activate, and release your pelvic floor muscles — many of which are chronically held tight without your awareness. This interoceptive connection is the foundation of all pelvic floor rehabilitation.

02

Promotes Healthy Muscle Lengthening

Poses like deep squat (Malasana) and Happy Baby gently stretch the pelvic floor, counteracting the tension patterns common with chronic stress, pain, or trauma. A pelvic floor that can fully lengthen is just as important as one that can contract.

03

Strengthens Through Functional Movement

Poses like Warrior and Bridge activate the glutes, deep core, and pelvic floor together — building integrated, real-world strength that isolated Kegel exercises alone cannot provide. This is how your body actually functions in daily life.

04

Reduces Intra-Abdominal Pressure

Yoga teaches diaphragmatic breathing and breath-movement coordination, which reduces the downward pressure on your pelvic floor during daily activities like lifting, coughing, sneezing, or exercising. This is essential for preventing and healing prolapse and incontinence.

05

Supports Bladder & Bowel Health

Restorative poses and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activation can ease urinary urgency, frequency, and constipation by calming the nervous system and releasing pelvic tension. For many women, bladder symptoms are a nervous system problem as much as a muscle problem.

06

Improves Sexual Health & Comfort

By reducing pelvic floor tension and improving body awareness and nervous system regulation, yoga can support improved arousal, lubrication, and reduced pain with intercourse (dyspareunia) — particularly important during and after menopause.

07

Reduces Pelvic Pain

Mindful movement and nervous system downregulation through yoga help interrupt the pain-tension-guarding cycle that is common in pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and chronic pelvic pain conditions.

08

Supports Core & Lumbopelvic Stability

Yoga reinforces the synergy between your diaphragm, deep abdominals (transverse abdominis), pelvic floor, and multifidus — the four pillars of inner core function that protect your spine, pelvis, and hips.

09

Regulates the Nervous System

The parasympathetic activation from yoga — especially restorative and yin styles — directly reduces the pelvic floor guarding driven by chronic stress, anxiety, or unresolved trauma. You cannot heal a nervous-system-driven pelvic floor without addressing the nervous system.

10

Supports Hormonal Transitions

For perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, yoga helps manage cortisol, supports restorative sleep, and mitigates the pelvic floor changes associated with declining estrogen — including tissue thinning, reduced elasticity, and increased bladder sensitivity.

The Bottom Line

Yoga is not a replacement for pelvic floor physical therapy — but it is one of the most powerful complements to it. When practiced with awareness and proper breath mechanics, yoga can transform your relationship with your pelvic floor, your body, and your symptoms.

Ready to Get Started?

Book a one-on-one session with Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC. With 30 years of experience in orthopedic and pelvic floor PT, Kaye will create a personalized plan that integrates movement, breath, and yoga to support your healing.

Book Your Session →

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy

2481 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL 35244  |  205-515-0258  |  sharpphysicaltherapy.com

Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC  ·  Women's Health Coach, Integrative Women's Health Institute

That aching outer hip isn't just "getting older" — here's what's really going on (and how to fix it)

Why are your hips hurting??

That aching outer hip isn't just "getting older" — here's what's really going on (and how to fix it)

If you're a woman in your 40s, 50s, or beyond and you've been dealing with persistent pain on the outside of your hip — especially when you lie on that side at night, climb stairs, or sit for too long with your legs crossed — there's a good chance your gluteus medius tendon is involved.

Gluteus medius tendinopathy is one of the most under-diagnosed causes of lateral hip pain in women, and menopause is one of the biggest reasons it develops. At Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy, we treat this condition every week — and the good news is that with the right approach, it responds very well.

What is the gluteus medius, and why does it hurt?

The gluteus medius is the muscle on the outer part of your pelvis that keeps you from wobbling side to side when you walk. Its tendon attaches to the bony point on the outside of your hip (the greater trochanter). When that tendon becomes overloaded or compressed, it becomes painful and irritated — a condition called tendinopathy.

Why menopause makes this so much more common

This isn't random timing. After menopause, estrogen — which directly supports tendon strength and collagen production — drops dramatically. That means the tendon becomes less resilient, more vulnerable to overload, and slower to recover. Combine that with natural muscle loss (sarcopenia), changes in body composition, and shifts in how we move, and the gluteus medius tendon is under real stress.

As a Women's Health Coach and pelvic PT with 30 years of orthopedic experience, I also see something many providers miss: the connection between hip pain and the pelvic floor. The muscles and fascia that surround the hip are directly linked to the pelvic floor. When the hip isn't working well, the pelvic floor often isn't either — and vice versa. That's why our treatment always looks at the whole picture.

Signs you may have gluteus medius tendinopathy

• Aching or sharp pain on the outside of one or both hips

• Pain that worsens when lying on your side — or on the opposite side

• Discomfort when sitting with your legs crossed or in low chairs

• Hip pain going up stairs, walking hills, or standing on one leg

• Pain that seems to come and go but never fully resolves

What does treatment actually look like?

Contrary to what many women are told, rest is not the answer. Tendons need the right kind of movement to heal. Our evidence-based program progresses through three stages:

• Phase 1: Gentle isometric exercises that calm pain without aggravating the tendon — no stretching, no compression

• Phase 2: Progressive strengthening to restore hip and pelvic control, including retraining how your body moves in daily life

• Phase 3: Functional loading — building tendon capacity for walking, stairs, exercise, and everything you want to do

We also address posture habits, sleep positions, and — because this is a postmenopausal issue — nutritional factors like protein intake, collagen support, and vitamin D that directly affect how well your tendon can heal.

You don't have to just live with this

Lateral hip pain is incredibly common in women after menopause, but it isn't inevitable — and it's very treatable. Most of our patients see meaningful improvement within the first 3–4 weeks when they commit to the program.

If you're dealing with outer hip pain and want answers, we'd love to help. Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy serves women at every stage of life from our Hoover, AL clinic. Call us at (205) 515-0258 or visit sharpphysicaltherapy.com to schedule your evaluation.

Tags: lateral hip pain, gluteus medius, menopause and hip pain, pelvic floor physical therapy, women's health Hoover AL, postmenopausal pain, hip tendinopathy

Is Leaking During Menopause Normal? A Hoover, Al PT Answers

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy Hoover, Alabama · Women's Health Specialist

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Menopause & Bladder Health

Is Leaking During Menopause Normal? A Hoover, AL PT Answers

By Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC | Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy · Hoover, AL | 9 min read

It is one of the questions I hear most often in my Hoover, Alabama clinic: "Is it normal to start leaking now that I'm in menopause?" The honest answer is: it's common — but common and normal are not the same thing, and it is absolutely not something you have to accept as permanent. Here's what is actually happening in your body, and what you can do about it.

Why Does Menopause Cause Leaking?

The short answer is estrogen. During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly — and estrogen does far more in your pelvis than most women realize.

Estrogen maintains the thickness and elasticity of the tissue lining the bladder and urethra. It supports the health and responsiveness of pelvic floor muscles. It affects the sensitivity of the nerves involved in bladder control. When estrogen declines, all of these systems change — often at once.

The result is a bladder that holds less before signaling urgency, a urethra that can't maintain as tight a seal under pressure, and pelvic floor muscles that may have lost tone or coordination. This is the physiological backdrop behind most cases of menopausal urinary incontinence.

Key point: Leaking during menopause is a physiological change — not a character flaw, a sign of aging "badly," or something to hide. It is a musculoskeletal and hormonal event that responds well to the right treatment.

The Two Main Types of Menopausal Leakage

Not all leaking is the same — and the type you're experiencing significantly shapes what treatment will be most effective. In my clinical experience, menopausal women most commonly present with one or both of the following:

Stress Incontinence

Leaking that occurs with physical effort — sneezing, coughing, laughing, jumping, running, lifting. The leakage happens because intra-abdominal pressure spikes and the pelvic floor can't respond fast enough to maintain continence. This is primarily a muscle coordination and strength issue.

Urge Incontinence

A sudden, compelling urge to urinate — sometimes followed immediately by leakage before you reach the bathroom. This is driven more by bladder overactivity and nerve sensitivity changes. The "key in the door" urgency spike that many women describe is a classic presentation.

Many women in menopause experience mixed incontinence — a combination of both stress and urge components. This is important because effective treatment addresses whichever type is driving the symptoms, and sometimes each requires a different approach within the same patient.

How Common Is This?

Extremely. You are not alone — not by a long stretch.

70%

of postmenopausal women experience some form of urinary incontinence

50%

wait more than 5 years before seeking treatment — often longer

>80%

of women report significant improvement with pelvic floor PT

The delay in seeking care is something I see constantly in my Hoover clinic. Women assume leaking is inevitable, that there's nothing to be done short of surgery, or that pads are simply their new reality. None of these assumptions are accurate.

What Makes It Worse

Beyond the hormonal baseline, several factors can worsen menopausal urinary incontinence — and many of them are modifiable:

• Caffeine and alcohol are bladder irritants that increase urgency and frequency
• Chronic constipation puts sustained pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder
• High-impact exercise without pelvic floor support can exceed what a weakened floor can manage
• Weight changes during menopause increase intra-abdominal pressure on the bladder
• Dehydration and concentrated urine irritate the bladder lining and trigger urgency
• Protective behaviors like going to the bathroom "just in case" actually train the bladder to hold less over time

One of the most counterintuitive facts in pelvic health: going to the bathroom frequently "just in case" — to prevent accidents — trains your bladder to signal urgency at smaller volumes. Over time, this worsens urgency, not improves it. Bladder retraining is a key part of what we address in PT.

How Pelvic Floor PT Helps Menopausal Incontinence

Pelvic floor physical therapy is one of the most evidence-based, guideline-recommended treatments for urinary incontinence — including the menopausal variety. Multiple clinical trials show it reduces incontinence symptoms significantly, and in many cases outperforms medication with no side effects.

Here's what we actually address in treatment:

💪

Pelvic floor muscle strength and coordination — not just contracting, but timing the response correctly for your specific leakage pattern

🧠

Bladder retraining — gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to restore normal bladder capacity and reduce urgency signals

🏃

Activity modification — identifying which movements or situations trigger leakage and building the capacity to handle them

🌿

Lifestyle and nutrition guidance — bladder irritants, hydration strategies, and bowel health are part of the picture

🔧

Postural and load management — alignment, breathing mechanics, and how you move all affect pelvic floor loading

🌸

Hormone health education — understanding the role of estrogen loss and how it interacts with treatment (as a Women's Health Coach, this is part of how I practice)

Important nuance: Effective pelvic floor PT for menopausal incontinence is not a generic Kegel program. The evaluation first determines whether your pelvic floor is underactive, overactive, or uncoordinated — because each requires a completely different treatment approach. Many women with urgency incontinence have a pelvic floor that is already too tight, and Kegel exercises can worsen their symptoms.

What About Surgery?

Surgery is sometimes appropriate for severe stress incontinence or prolapse — but it is rarely the appropriate first-line treatment, and it should almost always be preceded by a trial of conservative care including PT. Most surgical procedures for incontinence work best when the surrounding muscles are optimized, and PT before surgery significantly improves outcomes.

For the majority of women I see with menopausal leakage, conservative treatment — PT combined with lifestyle adjustments and, where appropriate, local estrogen therapy coordinated with their OB-GYN — produces excellent results without surgery.

The Thrive Through Menopause Approach

At my Hoover clinic, women dealing with menopausal bladder changes are also often dealing with other simultaneous symptoms — pelvic pain, painful intimacy, joint aches, core weakness, sleep disruption, weight shifts. These are not separate problems. They are connected threads in the same hormonal and musculoskeletal story.

My Thrive Through Menopause 12-week program addresses that whole picture: pelvic floor PT, personalized exercise programming, nutrition guidance, and hormone health education — designed specifically for women navigating this transition in the Hoover and Birmingham area.

When Should You Seek Care?

The honest answer: sooner than you think you need to. I see women who have been managing with pads for five, eight, ten years before coming in. In almost every case, they wish they had come sooner — not because the problem is harder to treat after a long delay, but because those years of limitation, careful wardrobe planning, and activity avoidance were unnecessary.

You do not need to be soaking through pads to seek care. If leaking is affecting your exercise, your confidence, your social life, or your sleep, that is reason enough. Call my office and let's figure out what's driving it and whether PT can help — and in my experience, it almost always can.

Finding Menopause Pelvic PT in Hoover and Birmingham

I am located at 2481 Valleydale Road in Hoover, Alabama — convenient to women across the Birmingham metro area including Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Pelham. Alabama allows direct access to PT, meaning you can call and schedule without a referral.

As a physical therapist with 30 years of orthopedic experience and a Women's Health Coach credential from the Integrative Women's Health Institute, I see menopause as a specialty — not a side note. If you have been quietly managing leakage and wondering if there's another option, there is.

The question is not whether pelvic floor PT can help menopausal incontinence — the evidence is clear that it can. The question is when you decide you deserve to stop just managing and start actually getting better.

You Don't Have to Keep Managing. Let's Talk.

Serving Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, and greater Birmingham.

Call 205-515-0258

Schedule an Evaluation

No referral needed · Direct access PT

📞 205-515-0258

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy
2481 Valleydale Road
Hoover, Alabama 35244

In This Article

• Why menopause causes leaking
• Stress vs. urge incontinence
• How common is this?
• What makes it worse
• How PT helps
• What about surgery?
• The Thrive program
• When to seek care
• Finding care in Hoover/Birmingham

Related Reading

Pelvic Floor PT in Hoover, AL: What Women Should Know Menopause PT & Thrive Through Menopause Program Pelvic Floor PT FAQ

About the Author

KS

Kaye Sharp

MPT, WHC · Owner

Kaye Sharp is a physical therapist with 30 years of orthopedic experience and a Women's Health Coach credential from the Integrative Women's Health Institute. She owns Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover, Alabama, and runs the Thrive Through Menopause program.

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy · 2481 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL 35244
205-515-0258 · sharpphysicaltherapy.com
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Pelvic Floor Therapy in Hoover, AL: What Women in Birmingham Should Know

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy Hoover, Alabama

Call 205-515-0258

Home › Blog › Pelvic Floor PT

Pelvic Floor PT

Pelvic Floor PT in Hoover, AL: What Women in Birmingham Should Know

By Kaye Sharp, MPT, WHC | Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy | 8 min read

Every week, women come into my Hoover clinic having waited years — sometimes more than a decade — to address a pelvic floor problem they assumed was just part of life. Leaking when they sneeze. Rushing to the bathroom with no warning. Pelvic pressure they've been ignoring since their last delivery. This guide is for every woman in the Birmingham area who has wondered whether pelvic floor physical therapy might help her — and hasn't yet had someone explain it clearly.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, connective tissue, and nerves that form the base of your pelvis. Like any muscle group in your body, it can become too weak, too tight, uncoordinated, or injured — and when it does, it affects bladder control, bowel function, pelvic comfort, sexual health, and core stability.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is specialized, hands-on PT that evaluates and treats dysfunction in these muscles and the structures connected to them. It is evidence-based, individualized, and — I say this because women often worry — not painful.

Important: Pelvic floor PT is not just Kegel exercises. A thorough evaluation first determines whether your pelvic floor is weak, tight, or uncoordinated — because the treatment for each is completely different. Many women with incontinence actually have an overactive, too-tight pelvic floor, and Kegels make it worse.

What Does Pelvic Floor PT Treat?

Women in the Hoover and Birmingham area seek pelvic floor PT for a wide range of conditions. These are among the most common I see in my clinic:

Stress urinary incontinence

Urge incontinence

Mixed incontinence

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic pain & pressure

Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

Vaginismus

Postpartum recovery

Diastasis recti

Interstitial cystitis

Bladder urgency & frequency

Menopause pelvic changes

Many of these conditions overlap — a woman dealing with postpartum recovery may also have diastasis recti, some urinary leakage, and pelvic pain. A comprehensive evaluation looks at all of it together, not as isolated complaints.

Who Should See a Pelvic Floor PT?

One of the most common things I hear is: "I didn't know physical therapy could help with this." Pelvic floor PT is appropriate for women across the entire lifespan — not just postpartum women, and not just older women.

You may benefit from pelvic floor PT if you:

• Leak urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jump, or exercise
• Feel a sudden, urgent need to get to the bathroom and sometimes don't make it
• Experience heaviness or pressure in your pelvis — especially at the end of the day or after standing
• Have pain with intercourse or penetration
• Are postpartum and haven't had a formal pelvic assessment
• Are in perimenopause or menopause and noticing new bladder, pelvic, or sexual symptoms
• Have chronic low back, hip, or tailbone pain that hasn't fully resolved
• Are preparing for or recovering from pelvic or abdominal surgery

If you recognize yourself in any of those descriptions, pelvic floor PT is worth a conversation. You do not need to be "bad enough" to seek care. Earlier intervention consistently leads to better outcomes — and shorter treatment courses.

What Happens at Your First Visit?

A first pelvic floor PT appointment at my Hoover clinic typically runs 60–75 minutes. Here's what to expect:

1

Comprehensive health history

We discuss your symptoms, medical history, obstetric history, lifestyle, and goals. Context matters enormously in pelvic health — I want to understand your whole picture, not just the chief complaint.

2

Orthopedic assessment

Your posture, movement patterns, hip mobility, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint are evaluated. The pelvic floor doesn't exist in isolation — it is part of an interconnected system.

3

Pelvic floor evaluation

With your full, informed consent, this includes external assessment of pelvic floor function and, when appropriate, an internal exam to evaluate muscle tone, strength, coordination, and any trigger points or scar tissue.

4

Your personalized plan

You leave the first visit with a clear explanation of what we found, what is driving your symptoms, and a specific treatment plan. No vague instructions. No generic handouts.

Do You Need a Doctor's Referral?

No. Alabama is a direct access state for physical therapy, which means you can schedule an evaluation at Sharp Ortho & Pelvic PT without a physician's referral. You call, you schedule, you come in.

That said, some insurance plans do require a referral for coverage — so it's worth calling your insurance provider before your first visit to confirm your specific plan's requirements. I'm also happy to coordinate with your OB-GYN, midwife, or primary care provider if you prefer that collaborative approach.

Is Pelvic Floor PT Covered by Insurance?

Many insurance plans cover pelvic floor physical therapy when it is medically necessary — which, for most of the conditions listed above, it is. Coverage varies by plan, so I recommend calling the member services number on your insurance card and asking specifically about "pelvic floor physical therapy" and "women's health PT."

I also offer transparent cash-pay options for patients who prefer to bypass insurance. Call my office and we can walk through what makes sense for your situation.

Why Women Across Birmingham Choose Sharp PT in Hoover

There are PT clinics throughout the Birmingham metro area. What brings women specifically to my Valleydale Road clinic is the depth of specialization — and the fact that you will always work directly with me, not an aide or a rotating provider.

With 30 years of orthopedic physical therapy experience and a Women's Health Coach credential from the Integrative Women's Health Institute, I bring a perspective that goes beyond treating a symptom in isolation. Pelvic floor dysfunction in a 45-year-old woman in perimenopause looks entirely different from the same symptom in a 28-year-old six weeks postpartum. The evaluation, the treatment, and the goals are different — and should be treated that way.

Women come from Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Pelham, and throughout the Birmingham area. If you've been looking for a pelvic floor specialist in Alabama, I'd love to talk.

Ready to Schedule a Pelvic Floor PT Evaluation?

Located at 2481 Valleydale Road in Hoover — serving the greater Birmingham metro area.

Call 205-515-0258

Schedule an Evaluation

No referral needed in Alabama

📞 205-515-0258

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy
2481 Valleydale Road
Hoover, Alabama 35244

In This Article

• What is pelvic floor PT?
• Conditions treated
• Who should seek care
• Your first visit
• Referral requirements in Alabama
• Insurance coverage
• Why patients choose Sharp PT

About the Author

KS

Kaye Sharp

MPT, WHC · Owner

Kaye Sharp has 30 years of orthopedic PT experience specializing in women's health and pelvic floor care. She holds a Women's Health Coach credential from the Integrative Women's Health Institute and operates Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy in Hoover, Alabama.

Sharp Ortho & Pelvic Physical Therapy · 2481 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL 35244
205-515-0258 · sharpphysicaltherapy.com
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Your Pelvic Floor Deserves Care Before, During & After Pregnancy

Why pelvic floor physical therapy is one of the most important — and most overlooked — investments you can make in your motherhood journey.

"I wish someone had told me about pelvic floor PT before I had my babies." I hear this from patients every single week — and it's exactly why I'm writing this post.

In much of the world, pelvic floor physical therapy is a standard part of maternal care — as routine as prenatal vitamins. Here in the United States, most women are never told it exists until something goes wrong. Leaking, prolapse, painful sex, low back pain, diastasis recti — these are not inevitable consequences of having a baby. They are signs that the pelvic floor and core system needed more support along the way.

Whether you're thinking about getting pregnant, currently expecting, or newly postpartum, there is a window of opportunity right now to make a profound difference in how your body feels, functions, and heals. Here's why I encourage every woman to consider pelvic floor PT at every stage of the journey.

Pre-Conception & Preparation

Preparing Your Body Before Pregnancy

Think of your pelvic floor as the foundation of a house. You wouldn't build on a shaky foundation — so why wait until after nine months of added load, a labor, and a delivery to find out there's a problem? Starting before pregnancy gives you the greatest advantage.

Identify Issues Before They Become Bigger Problems

Many women arrive at their first prenatal appointment already carrying pelvic floor dysfunction they don't know about — mild leaking with exercise, pelvic heaviness, pain with sex, or chronic low back pain. A pre-pregnancy pelvic floor evaluation lets us identify and address these issues before pregnancy adds significant new demands on your body.

Learn Proper Coordination — Not Just "Do Your Kegels"

The pelvic floor is not a muscle you simply squeeze and strengthen. It needs to contract and fully relax, coordinate with your diaphragm and deep core, and respond dynamically to load. Many women have pelvic floors that are actually too tight — and Kegels make those worse. Before pregnancy is the perfect time to learn what your pelvic floor is actually doing and build the coordination patterns that will support you for months to come.

A skilled pelvic PT can assess your tone, coordination, and strength — and tailor a program specifically for you.

Optimize Your Core & Breathing Strategy

Your deep core system — the diaphragm, pelvic floor, deep abdominals, and deep spinal muscles — works as a unit. Learning to use this system correctly before pregnancy means your body will be better equipped to manage the growing load of a baby, reduce strain on your spine and pelvis, and set you up for a smoother labor and postpartum recovery.

Through Pregnancy

Staying Strong & Comfortable During Pregnancy

Pregnancy changes everything — your posture, your center of gravity, your hormones, your breathing, your load-bearing mechanics. Pelvic floor PT during pregnancy is not about doing exercises through a book or a YouTube video. It's about having a professional track and respond to what your body is doing in real time, trimester by trimester.

Manage & Prevent Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic girdle pain — pain in the pubic symphysis, SI joints, hips, or groin — affects up to 1 in 5 pregnant women and can become debilitating if not addressed. Pelvic PT provides hands-on treatment, movement strategies, and strengthening exercises that can dramatically reduce pain and help you stay active throughout pregnancy.

Address Leaking, Urgency & Bladder Changes

Urinary leaking is common during pregnancy — but common does not mean normal or inevitable. Leaking is a signal that the pelvic floor is being overwhelmed. Pelvic PT during pregnancy can significantly reduce and even eliminate leaking so you are not white-knuckling your way through sneezes and workouts for nine months.

Research shows that pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy reduces the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence.

Support Diastasis Recti — From the Start

Abdominal separation (diastasis recti) is a normal part of pregnancy, but the degree of separation and how well the linea alba maintains tension varies greatly based on how well the deep core is managed. Pelvic PT during pregnancy teaches you exactly how to load your core safely, which exercises to modify, and how to protect the abdominal wall — reducing the severity of separation and making postpartum healing significantly faster.

Prepare Your Body for Labor & Delivery

Labor preparation is one of the most underutilized tools in pelvic PT. We work on perineal massage to improve tissue extensibility and reduce tearing risk, pushing coordination so you know how to work with your body effectively, optimal labor positions, and breath strategies. Women who receive this preparation often report more confidence, less tearing, and faster recovery.

Studies show perineal massage in the final weeks of pregnancy reduces the rate of perineal tearing and episiotomy.

A Note on "Waiting Until Something Is Wrong"

Many patients tell me they didn't seek out pelvic PT during pregnancy because everything felt "fine enough." But by the time something feels wrong — significant pain, prolapse symptoms, severe leaking — the dysfunction has often been building for months. Preventive and proactive care is always more efficient and effective than reactive care. You don't wait until you have a cavity to start brushing your teeth.

Postpartum Recovery

Healing & Rebuilding After Birth

Postpartum care in the United States typically consists of a single 6-week appointment — a brief check that you've healed "well enough" before you're cleared to resume normal activity. This leaves an enormous gap between what new mothers are told ("you're cleared!") and what their bodies have actually recovered from. Birth — whether vaginal or cesarean — is a significant physical event. Your body deserves structured, individualized rehabilitation.

Heal Pelvic Floor Trauma from Birth

Vaginal delivery can cause significant trauma to the pelvic floor muscles, fascia, and nerves — including perineal tears (up to 4th degree), episiotomies, and overstretching that can cause muscle weakness or nerve injury. Without targeted rehabilitation, scar tissue can become painful and restricted, muscles may not recover proper function, and women are left with pain, leaking, or prolapse symptoms that last years — not because healing isn't possible, but because no one guided it.

Recover from Cesarean Birth

C-section is major abdominal surgery — yet many women are given little guidance beyond "don't lift anything heavy for 6 weeks." Scar tissue from a cesarean can restrict the abdominal wall, affect bladder function, cause pelvic pain, and even contribute to low back and hip pain years later. Postpartum pelvic PT includes cesarean scar mobilization, abdominal wall restoration, and a progressive return-to-activity program tailored to surgical recovery.

Scar mobilization is most effective when started after the incision is fully closed — typically around 6–8 weeks postpartum.

Address Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse — when the bladder, uterus, or rectum descends toward the vaginal opening — affects a significant percentage of women after vaginal delivery. Symptoms include pelvic heaviness, pressure, or a sensation of "something falling out." Pelvic PT is a first-line treatment for prolapse, with strong evidence supporting pelvic floor muscle training for improving symptoms, and teaching women how to manage prolapse through activity modification and load management.

Safely Return to Exercise & High-Impact Activity

The postpartum body needs a progressive, individualized return to exercise — not a blanket "cleared at 6 weeks." High-impact activity (running, jumping, heavy lifting) places significant demand on the pelvic floor and core system that may not be ready. Postpartum pelvic PT provides an objective assessment of your readiness, and a guided program to progressively build back to the activities you love without causing new damage.

Research recommends waiting until at least 12 weeks postpartum before returning to running — and even then, only after passing a pelvic floor readiness assessment.

Treat Painful Sex After Baby

Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) postpartum is extremely common, particularly in breastfeeding women, and is often caused by a combination of low estrogen, scar tissue, pelvic floor muscle tension, and altered tissue quality. It is not something you simply have to accept or push through. Pelvic PT effectively treats postpartum dyspareunia through manual therapy, scar treatment, and muscle re-education — and most women see significant improvement with treatment.

The Bottom Line

Your pelvic floor supports everything — your bladder, bowel, uterus, sexual function, and movement. Pregnancy and birth are among the most significant physical experiences your body will ever go through. You deserve expert guidance to prepare for them, move through them well, and recover from them fully. Pelvic floor physical therapy is not a luxury or a specialty service for people with "serious" problems. It is evidence-based, foundational care for every woman on the motherhood journey.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you're planning for pregnancy, currently expecting, or navigating postpartum recovery, I’m here to help. As a pelvic floor PT, I specialize in integrative pelvic floor care for women at every stage of life.

Hormones and the Pelvic Floor: What is Going on DOWN THERE?

Hormonal changes are an inevitable part of being a woman. Beginning with puberty, hormones are the driving force behind every phase of life…. affecting not only your reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus), but also the musculoskeletal system (muscles and joints), the cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), the brain (cognition and emotions), the immune system, and just about every process in the body.

Hormones reach their peak in the reproductive years (20’ and 30’s) then slowly start to slide chaotically downhill as you reach perimenopause and menopause (40’, 50’s, 60’s and beyond). Some research shows that women spend about 10 years in the perimenopausal phase ; reporting multiple physical, emotional, cognitive, and autoimmune changes in their bodies. Many women become over medicated with pharmacological remedies that act as a bandaid but do not really improve longevity or quality of life.

Many women experience major pelvic floor issues during this time including :vaginal dryness, atrophy, pelvic pain, chronic UTIs, interstitial cystitis, urinary/fecal leakage, constipation, prolapse, pain with intercourse and low desire. More often than not, these symptoms go untreated and undiagnosed for 2 reasons:

1. Women have come to believe that this is a normal part of aging so they do not talk to their doctor about it

2. Doctors do not know enough about hormone changes or pelvic floor dysfunction to offer viable treatments beyond pharmaceuticals

How do hormonal changes cause problems DOWN THERE? Vaginal tissues have a huge amount of hormone receptors, especially estrogen and testosterone. Hormones keep the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor vibrant, juicy, and flexible so they can perform their many functions in the body. As hormone levels drop during perimenopause and menopause these muscles and tissues become weaker , making it difficult to function properly. This leads to organ prolapse , leakage, and many other symptoms.

The pelvic floor is actually 3 layers of muscles that form a bowl that supports the organs in the body as part of the core.

How do we manage these changes? The goal of optimizing health as a woman is to glide through this time of hormonal chaos with ease and grace. The way you eat, move, think, and sleep are the primary drivers to managing your health. You will find that the things you did in your 20’s and 30’s don’t work anymore. Finding the right lifestyle plan for your body is the key. Having a pelvic floor assessment is the best way to determine the root cause of your symptoms DOWN THERE. Health coaching is a great way to determine exactly where you are in your journey and determine a plan to move forward. Getting advice on menopausal hormone therapy to not only mitigate symptoms, but to protect your heart, muscles, bones, and brain from the horrible effects of low estrogen (yes- I’m talking about heart disease, muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, and dementia).

Scheduling your pelvic floor assessment is a great first step in your journey to reclaim your health and live a longer life with less dis-ease!

What is a pelvic floor assessment? What should I expect?? As a physical therapist with 30 years of patient care experience including orthopedics, women’s health and nutrition coaching, longevity training, and pelvic floor rehab…. I perform a holistic and comprehensive assessment of each and every patient. This includes evaluating posture and alignment, muscle asymmetries, and fascial restrictions in the whole body. We also discuss nutrition, life stressors, exercise, sleep habits, and family support. An internal assessment is performed to determine muscle tone and function of the pelvic floor muscles (this is optional depending on patient comfort level). All of this information is molded together to determine your specific pathway to healing. Recommendations may include: relaxation techniques, strengthening and stretching exercises, natural supplements and adaptogens, nourishing foods, hydration, and sleep hygiene.

If you have questions about hormonal balance and what is going on DOWN THERE then contact me today for a complementary 15 minute phone consultation :)

Could it be Menopause?

Menopause has been called “puberty in reverse” by many practitioners in the medial community. Just like puberty, menopause can be a confusing and often painful time in life, but we all get through it! There is a lot we still do not understand about women’s health, but there are some things we know FOR SURE!

EVERY WOMAN WILL GO THROUGH MENOPAUSE- EVEN IF YOU HAVE HAD YOUR UTERUS AND/OR OVARIES REMOVED

This transition begins slowly in the mid 40’s (perimenopause) then symptoms gradually progress over time until full menopause is reached and hormone levels drop to an all time low.

The average age of menopause is 51.

WOMEN LIVE WITH SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE!

Unfortunately for most women, the symptoms they report to their doctors during this time are not recognized as “menopausal” and they are treated with pharmaceutical drugs for multiple and various “diagnoses” (anti- anxiety meds, sleeping pills, statins, pain medications, etc). Before you know it, you wake up at age 65 and you’re taking handfuls of pills twice a day to maintain your low level of “health”. And yet, you can’t lose weight, can’t sleep, struggle with memory loss, and can barely walk up a flight of stairs without pain.

MENOPAUSE IS A FULL BODY EXPERIENCE… IT AFFECTS EVERY PROCESS IN THE FEMALE BODY INCLUDING: METABOLISM, REPRODUCTION, CARDIOVASCULAR, MOVEMENT, BRAIN HEALTH, DIGESTION

Could you be entering into menopause? You may recognize some of these symptoms:

1. Fatigue/ low motivation

2. Night sweats/ Hot flushes or flashes/ sweating

3. Osteoporoses / joint pain/ stiffness/ musculoskeletal pain

4. Difficulty going to sleep/staying asleep

5. Pain with intercourse

6. Vaginal dryness/ atrophy/ reduced sex drive

7. Anxiety/ heart palpitations

8. Memory loss/ brain fog

9. Irritability/moodiness

10. Weight gain/ belly fat/ weight lose resistance

Many women begin the transition slowly in their mid 40’s and may not even recognize that they are loosing sleep, loosing their mind, and losing their mojo until years later. Is a blood test required to diagnose menopause? No, not really. Would you do a blood test to diagnose your cranky, smelly, moody preteen kid to see it they were in puberty ? Probably not. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help you to identify were you are in the process. Lifestyle and nutrition changes can go a long way to mitigate symptoms and optimize health and longevity!

IT IS HELPFUL TO DO SPECIALIZED TESTING TO MAXIMIZE ADRENAL AND THRYOID HEALTH

The million dollar question: What can we do about it? How can women lead a full, healthy, happy, joyful life while struggling through this unavoidable transition ?? What changes can we make to not only live longer, but improve our quality of life???

OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION, GET THE RIGHT KIND OF EXERCISE, PERSONALIZED SUPPLEMENTS AND ADAPTOGENS , GET RID OF TOXINS IN YOUR BODY, MANAGE YOUR STRESS, AND ENHANCE YOUR SLEEP

I have been on the menopause struggle bus myself for 10 years. This has inspired me to learn more about the most updated information on women’s health and menopause…. and to share it with you!! I have been certified in Perimenopause and Menopause Health Coaching through the Integrative Women’s Health Institute and would be honored to help you navigate this transition with great health and improved quality of life. ~ Kaye Sharp MPT, WHC, ERYT

Contact Kaye for a health coaching session to learn how to make these changes in your life and feel great in your own body again!

Have We "Normalized" Urinary Leakage?

I hope not!! But then I saw an advertisement for underwear that you can actually pee in….. YIKES!

As a physical therapist who specializes in Women’s Health I hear this complaint over and over again. Bladder issues are prevalent in all stages of life . I have seen women of all ages who report leakage with jumping, lifting, coughing, sneezing, as well as before, during, and after pregnancy.

What do all of these women have in common? Pelvic Floor Dysfunction including:

• pelvic malignment

• muscular imbalances in the hips and abdominals

• low back pain and tightness

• pelvic floor muscle tightness/weakness

• food irritants/ intolerances

• poor bladder habits

• chronic constipation

• hormonal imbalances

Imagine the pelvic floor as a trampoline. It tightens and gives with pressure from above, providing support, stability, and flexibility all at the same time. If that trampoline was suddenly placed on an incline or has a broken leg, it would still function but would be less stable in some places, providing less support and may even be damaged from those forces from above. You may not even realized it is damaged until you started to see fraying and holes where it pulls away from it springs.

When you experience any type of leakage, pain, burning, and even pressure down below this is your sign that the pelvic floor is not being supported in some way. An experienced pelvic health therapist will be able to identify the exact structures that are not functioning properly.

With better alignment, the pelvic floor is able to contract and relax normally and stop the flow of urine. Retraining your body and managing pressure around your diaphragm is key to solving these issues.

Where do you start? Try some simple diaphragmatic breathing. Often times this is the first step to unlocking the pelvic floor and allowing the muscles to regain balance. Improving hip and core strength, pelvic alignment, and learning how to coordinate breath with everyday movements is the key to bladder control.

Contact me for a complete evaluation and plan to help you regain control of your bladder and stop urinary leakage!

How do I know if I have a pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic Floor Therapy provides solutions that you may not know exist…to problems that you may not even realize you have.

How do I know if I have a pelvic floor dysfunction?

If you have one or more of these symptoms, then you likely have a pelvic floor dysfunction and would benefit from an evaluation from a Pelvic Health Therapist:

• I sometimes have pelvic pain (in genitals, perineum, pubic or bladder area, or pain with urination) that exceeds a ‘3’ on a 1-10 pain scale, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable

• I can remember falling onto my tailbone, lower back, or buttocks (even in childhood)

• I sometimes experience one or more of the following urinary symptoms

  • Accidental loss of urine

  • Feeling unable to completely empty my bladder

  • Having to void within a few minutes of a previous void

  • Pain or burning with urination

  • Difficulty starting or frequent stopping/starting of urine stream

• I often or occasionally have to get up to urinate two or more times at night

• I sometimes have a feeling of increased pelvic pressure or the sensation of my pelvic organs slipping down or falling out

• I have a history of pain in my low back, hip, groin, or tailbone or have had sciatica

• I sometimes experience one or more of the following bowel symptoms

  • Loss of bowel control

  • Feeling unable to completely empty my bowels

  • Straining or pain with a bowel movement

  • Difficulty initiating a bowel movement

• I sometimes experience pain or discomfort with sexual activity or intercourse

• Sexual activity increases one or more of my other symptoms

• Prolonged sitting increases my symptoms

Pelvic floor dysfunction is more common than you might think. Many symptoms that women struggle with DAILY have been normalized and often become chronic if not treated. If you have any of these symptoms please consider getting a consultation with a holistic women's health provider. You'll be surprised at how life changing pelvic floor therapy can be!!!

Contact Kaye for a complimentary 15 minute chat to discuss your symptoms and answer your questions

205-515-0258 kaye@sharpphysicaltherapy.com

What is the "Unlocking Your Pelvic Floor Workshop"?

I am so excited to be offering this deep dive into a VERY important aspect of women’s health….the PELVIC FLOOR! This workshop will be offered at several different locations in the Birmingham, Al area including:

Rest & Digest Wellness 10/15/23 2-3:30pm

Yoga Lab Bham 11/12/23 1:30-3:30pm (provides CEU’s for Yoga Alliance)

Essential Mvmt Pilates TBA

and more in the works…let me know if you have suggestions!!

Who is this workshop appropriate for?

Any person with a pelvic floor!

Actually, men have pelvic floors, too :) But, my particular passion and focus for this workshop is on the vagina-owning community.

In this workshop, you can expect a supportive and inclusive environment where you will feel comfortable discussing and exploring your pelvic floor health. The instructor, Kaye Sharp MPT, WHC, E-RYT, is trained in pelvic floor physical therapy and has extensive experience working with individuals with various pelvic floor conditions.

This workshop is suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels, including those who are pregnant, have recently given birth, experienced trauma, or are simply looking to improve their pelvic floor health. Whether you are a beginner or have some prior knowledge of pelvic floor exercises, this workshop will provide you with valuable tools to optimize your health and UNLOCK your pelvic floor!

What to expect:

1. Understand the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor highlighting the pelvic floor muscles and their role in supporting the pelvic organs, controlling urinary and bowel function, and maintaining sexual health.

2. Identify and address common signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. You will learn how to recognize these issues and explore strategies to address them effectively.

3. Many individuals experience tightness and tension in their pelvic floor muscles, which can contribute to pain and dysfunction. This workshop will introduce you to specific exercises and stretches that can help you release tension and improve flexibility, manage pressure, and calm your nervous system .

4. Building strength in the pelvic floor muscles is crucial for maintaining their function and preventing issues like urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. You will go through a series of exercises that target these muscles, helping you develop strength and control in the hips and pelvis.

5. Integrate mindfulness and breath work which plays a significant role in pelvic floor health. We will explore techniques that promote relaxation and improve mind-body connection, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding and awareness of your pelvic floor.

Physical Therapy for the Things Women DON’T Want to Talk About…but SHOULD!

Women’s health issues can be difficult to talk about. Discussing embarrassing symptoms with a partner, spouse, or doctor can be traumatic for a lot of women, causing many conditions to become chronic and difficult to treat. But that doesn’t need to be the case. Are you struggling with?

• Urinary or fecal leakage

• Constipation

• Pain with intercourse

• Bladder issues or interstitial cystitis

• Bowel issues including IBS

• Endometriosis

• Pregnancy related issues

• Postpartum pain/tearing/diastis recti/cesarian recovery

• Perimenopausal changes/dysregulated sleep

• Low back or hip pain

• Pelvic pain of any kind

If you are experiencing these symptoms you are not alone. Nearly every woman will experience at least one of these issues at some point. When this happens, the underlying issue is the health of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in several bodily functions, including bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and stability in movement. However, issues such as pelvic pain, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction can have a significant impact on quality of life. Fortunately, physical therapy effectively and holistically addresses pelvic health symptoms and typically leads to a symptom free life.

Understanding Pelvic Health

The pelvis is a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the organs within it. When these structures become weakened, strained, or imbalanced, various pelvic health issues can arise. Common conditions include pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary or fecal incontinence (leakage when you laugh, cough, or sneeze is NEVER normal!), pelvic pain syndromes, and sexual dysfunction. These conditions can affect women of all stages of life including prenatal , postpartum , and perimenopausal. Other symptoms can manifest as IBS, chronic constipation, abdominal pain, lower back and hip pain, and other issues that don’t seem to resolve with conventional treatments.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on assessing and addressing the musculoskeletal components of pelvic dysfunction as well as the nervous system. As a trained pelvic health physical therapist , I will perform a thorough evaluation to identify the root causes of your symptoms. Utilizing external and internal assessments to evaluate muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination within the pelvic region, together we will develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

How are Pelvic Floor Issues Treated?

1. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: Weak or tight pelvic floor muscles are often at the core of pelvic health issues. Breath work is used to affect the nervous system along with targeted exercises to strengthen or relax these muscles, depending on your condition.

2. Manual Therapy Techniques: Hands-on techniques, such as myofascial release or trigger point release, are used to address tight or painful areas within the pelvic region. Other treatments include dry needling and cupping to promote blood flow and healing.

3. Biofeedback: This technique helps you to gain awareness and control over your pelvic muscles by providing visual or auditory feedback on muscle activity. It aids in retraining the pelvic floor muscles to function optimally.

4. Education and Lifestyle Modifications: Learn valuable information regarding posture, body mechanics, dietary changes, and bladder/bowel habits. These lifestyle modifications can have a significant impact on pelvic health and overall well-being.

What are the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy?

1. Improved Pelvic Floor Function: By targeting the underlying causes of your pelvic health issues, you will gain control over your pelvic floor muscles, leading to improved bladder and bowel control, decreased pain, and increased sexual satisfaction.

2. Enhanced Quality of Life: Pelvic health issues can significantly impact daily activities and personal relationships. Physical therapy offers a non-invasive and holistic approach to manage these issues, restoring your quality of life and overall confidence.

3. Prevention and Education: Pelvic health physical therapy is not only for those already experiencing issues; it can also serve as a preventative measure. By receiving proper pelvic health treatment and preventive exercises, women can maintain optimal pelvic health throughout their lives.

Pelvic health is an integral part of overall well-being, and physical therapy plays a vital role in addressing pelvic health concerns. By offering a comprehensive approach that combines education, targeted exercises, and lifestyle modifications, pelvic health physical therapy empowers individuals to regain control over their symptoms and return to the life they love! If you are experiencing any pelvic health issues, don't hesitate to contact Kaye Sharp MPT, WHC for a comprehensive evaluation and specialized care. Remember, investing in your pelvic health is an investment in your overall well-being!

Kaye Sharp MPT, WHC

Pelvic Health Specialist