Physical Therapy Created Specifically For Women

Diastasis Recti is the separation of the abdominal muscles that occurs as a result of pregnancy. The “gap” that is measured between the abdominal muscles around the belly button is what dictates if you have a separation or not. Usually, a 2 finger or more gap is considered significant to be a diastasis.

Current research on treatment for Diastasis does not promote “closing” the gap so much as it does targeting and contracting the abdominal muscles below it. The gap may reduce in time (though may not close all the way which is OK) if you are doing exercises that do not increase intra-abdominal pressure, which can promote more separation, like planks or sit-ups right after having a baby. Performing the right exercises, that do not promote excessive abdominal pressure, can help strengthen the abdominals without adding this strain along the abdomen. Read here to find out ways we help moms regain strength in our Postpartum Power Up program.

While aches and pain can be common during pregnancy you do not have to live with it. Low back pain can be helped with a combination of massage and exercises to help strengthen and add stability to the hips and back. Pubic pain can be reduced with external bracing such as a pregnancy support belt, exercises and learning how to stabilize during painful activities such as rolling in bed. Pain in the butt, also known as sacroiliac pain, can be helped with massage, stretches and strengthening exercises. These are just a few examples of how pregnancy pain can be reduced or eliminated with the help of physical therapy. To see what else we can help with during pregnancy please click here.

Pelvic organ prolapse is when the bladder, uterus, or rectum have shifted down into the vaginal wall. This can first occur after delivering a baby, lifting heavy objects as with job duties, or perhaps as women age and hormonal changes occur. Many women are told after being diagnosed with prolapse to never do certain exercises again, such as squats or sit-ups, for fear of making the prolapse worse. However, there are ways to return to exercises that you enjoy doing by adjusting things such as your posture, breathing techniques, and engaging the pelvic floor and core correctly during exercise and daily activities. In most cases, you can resume most exercises with the proper recommendations. Learn more about Pelvic Organ Prolapse and how we can help.

There is always room to improve no matter if you had your baby 6 months or 16 years ago! Leakage is not “normal” or should ever be acceptable. There is more to it than “just do your kegels.” For example, holding your breath as you lift weights at the gym may increase pressure along the pelvic floor or vagina, causing leakage. Keeping the pelvic floor muscle contracted continuously during activities may also cause leakage. Certain postures may contribute to leakage especially when held under load during exercise. Looking at the whole body is important when prescribing the right exercises to help prevent leakage. Click here for more information on how we help our patients.

Pelvic floor physical therapy can help women overcome painful intercourse. In some cases, a condition called Vaginismus can prevent the vaginal muscles from relaxing enough to have intercourse or even a pap smear at the doctor’s office. Learning ways to relax the muscles can include dilator use, biofeedback, manual therapy and introducing ways to accept touch while decreasing anxiety. Please check out this link to the blog 'When The Heart Says Yes But The Vagina Says No' for more information.

Sometimes there may be tearing along the perineum during childbirth which can result in painful intercourse. Addressing the scar tissue from the tear, performing soft tissue mobilization along the vaginal muscles and regaining normal pelvic floor muscle strength and tone will help. Please click here to see how our postpartum services can help you recover after having a baby.

Endometriosis or Interstitial Cystitis (IC) can be helped by treating any painful muscles or structures that reproduce or worsen your symptoms. These symptoms include low back pain, lower abdominal pain, urgency, painful sex, constipation and vaginal pain. Treatment includes massage or soft tissue mobilization, scar tissue mobilization, relaxation exercises, bladder retraining and dietary recommendations. In some IC patients bladder symptoms such as frequency to urinate or bladder pain may be reduced or eliminated after addressing any painful scars or muscles around the pelvis. For more info click here.

While we do see a number of people with different insurance plans, we are considered an out-of-network provider. This means that insurance is not accepted directly and payment is due at the time of service. We understand that most patients do rely on receiving insurance reimbursement. We will provide a receipt for you along with a list of the treatments performed and the payment amount that was given. This receipt can be mailed to your insurance to help receive the maximum reimbursement available. You will be expected to mail the receipts and necessary paperwork to the insurance company yourself. Patients are advised to contact their insurance companies to find out what their benefits are for outpatient out-of-network physical therapy visits before their first visit. We provide an insurance benefits worksheet on our website under patient center that may help you to determine these benefits when talking with your insurance company. We accept payment in the form of cash or credit card/debit card/health care spending account, etc. We are unable to treat Medicare patients at this time due to government regulations that restrict us from taking cash payments from Medicare beneficiaries. We hope this will change in the future.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies are reimbursing less and less while enforcing more restrictions on the type of treatments and number of visits that are allowed. Many physical therapy clinics in order to stay afloat are having to see many patients a day, in some cases overlapping care and seeing patients every 15-30 minutes to be productive. As a therapist who has experienced this firsthand in the past, it can be extremely hard to give the care patients deserve under these circumstances. Diagnoses related to women’s health in particular demand more one-on-one time as well as our full attention. Our clinic prides itself in that we want to provide the best care possible without the interference of insurance companies calling the shots. We believe that as an out-of-network provider we will be able to provide this care while keeping the focus directly on the patient instead of the numbers at the end of the day.

Each visit is individualized for each patient depending on what the specific needs are.

The initial evaluation is $175 and between 75 and 90 minutes long. This includes some treatment in most cases during that first visit. 

Follow-up visits are typically between 45 and 60 minutes. Price ranges from $125 to $147 per visit. Exercise only visits, for example establishing individulized progressive exercises for those with Diastasis Recti, are $125. For those that require more massage or manual therapy the price can vary between $135 to $147.

While we are not required by state law to have a prescription for the initial evaluation, due to the specialty of services we provide it is highly recommended that you do obtain one. We want to make sure there are no contraindications to treatment so we can provide our care in a safe and appropriate manner. By keeping communication open with your referring provider we can ensure we are providing the best care possible. Some insurance companies require a prescription in order to reimburse for physical therapy services. After 42 days from the initial evaluation date, we are required to have a prescription to continue care. Providers we are allowed to take referrals from include a physician, podiatrist, psychologist, chiropractor, dentist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

When you arrive for your first appointment please text or call 317-689-0073 to let us know you have arrived. You will be met at the front door and be taken immediately to a private treatment room. Most initial evaluations are around 90 minutes long. A complete medical history will be taken along with a review of current symptoms. After taking the history, the physical therapist will then perform a thorough musculoskeletal examination. If you are being seen for a pelvic floor-related diagnosis the therapist will also in most cases perform an internal assessment. You are welcome to bring a second person with you into the examination room during the examination and subsequent treatments. We will discuss the physical findings and together set up a plan of care with your personal goals in mind. Please bring comfortable clothes to change into for exercises.

If there are any questions we have not answered please do not hesitate to contact us. We do offer free phone consultations to make sure we are a good fit for your needs. We can be reached at 317-689-0073 or email at camille@indywomenpt.com.