At Johns Hopkins, our pelvic health physical therapists are specially trained to evaluate and treat different types of pelvic floor dysfunction, helping you improve your quality of life. We work with patients of all ages and genders, and offer several convenient clinic locations through the Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: Why Choose Johns Hopkins
- We offer personalized, one-on-one physical therapy sessions in a private setting tailored to your symptoms and health goals.
- With access to a wide range of therapies and technologies, such as laser therapy, electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and various forms of manual therapy and exercise techniques, we are able to find a combination of treatments that works for you.
- Our team includes several certified women’s health physical therapists, as well as therapists with specialized training in neurology, oncology, pediatrics and other related fields.
- Our therapists work closely with specialists in Ob/Gyn, urogynecology, urology, gastroenterology, oncology, pain medicine and many other disciplines to coordinate your care in and outside Johns Hopkins.
Schedule An Appointment
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Schedule by phone
Maryland clinics except Bayview: 443-997-5476
Johns Hopkins Bayview: 410-550-0414 Sibley Memorial Hospital: 202-364-7665
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Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Conditions We Treat
Our therapists treat a variety of pelvic floor symptoms that could stem from interstitial cystitis, levator ani syndrome, pregnancy and childbirth, surgery, as well as chronic disorders and other age- or trauma-related conditions.
- Bladder problems, including urinary leakage, urinary urgency and/or frequency, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary retention and pain with bladder filling or emptying.
- Bowel problems, including chronic constipation; difficulty passing a bowel movement and incomplete emptying; increased bowel urgency; fecal leakage of solid stool, gas or mucus; pain with bowel movements.
- Pelvic pain, including pain in the pelvic joints associated with transitions or increased activity level; pain in the tailbone; lower abdomen, lower back, groin, buttock or hip; pain in the genitals.
- Pelvic organ prolapse and the feeling of pelvis pressure or heaviness.
- Sexual dysfunction, including pain with sexual activity (dyspareunia); painful speculum exams or inability to tolerate tampon insertion; erectile dysfunction; decreased or overactive arousal symptoms.
Areas of Specialized Expertise
- Pelvic cancer rehabilitation, including restoring function and managing pain and scar tissue discomfort after surgery and/or pelvic radiation for cervical, uterine or colorectal cancer.
- Pelvic floor issues related to neurologic and neuromuscular disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord or nerve injury.
- Pregnancy and postpartum pelvic floor therapy, including treatment of pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti abdominis (separation of abdominal muscles), Cesarean scar weakness and/or pain, perineal healing postpartum and urinary and bowel leakage.
- Pre- and postoperative care for pelvic surgery, such as hysterectomy, pelvic reconstruction, bladder sling, sacral colpopexy and other procedures.
- Pediatric pelvic floor therapy, including treatment of urinary incontinence (enuresis) and constipation in children.
Pelvic Floor Therapies We Use
Your physical therapist will perform a complete musculoskeletal assessment of the trunk and pelvis, including the pelvic floor musculature, and will work with you to set goals and develop a treatment plan that may include:
- Education regarding pelvic floor and behavioral retraining: making lifestyle changes, such as the way you sit or how much coffee you drink, that may help improve your condition.
- Pelvic floor muscle retraining: exercises to strengthen or relax your pelvic muscles, depending on the cause of your condition.
- Functional dry needling: insertion of thin needles along trigger points to reduce pain and restore normal muscle function.
- Myofascial release: manual stimulation of trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles that radiate pain to other areas.
- Myofascial acoustic compression therapy: the use of focused sound waves to reach deep into fascia and muscles, similar to a deep-tissue massage.
- Soft tissue mobilization to help remodel scar tissue.
- Core strengthening and Pilates: exercises that focus on your posture and core strength and help restore pelvic floor tone and stabilize the lumbar region.
- EMG biofeedback: the use of sensors to gather information about your pelvic muscle activity, which then can be used to help you retrain your muscles with specific exercises.
- Electrical stimulation: the use of mild electrical current to stimulate a muscle to help strengthen it or normalize nerve activity.
- Low-level laser therapy: the use of light (without the heat) to help muscles heal on a cellular level; it can be used on even the most sensitive tissues.
- A home exercise program, often starting after the first visit.
Our Team
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Nora Arnold | Physical Therapist
Expertise: pelvic health
Locations: Baltimore and Lutherville
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Mary Austin | Physical Therapist, Rehab Therapy Manager, JHH Women's Health Physical Therapy Residency Director
Certifications: Board-Certified Women's Health Specialist
Expertise: pelvic health
Location: Lutherville
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Susan Berger | Physical Therapist
Expertise: falls/balance, orthopedics, pelvic health
Location: Columbia
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Holly Brook-Cotton | Physical Therapist Assistant
Certifications: Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Expertise: lymphedema, oncology, pelvic health
Location: Odenton
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Karen Dobbs | Physical Therapist
Expertise: oncology, pelvic health
Location: Odenton
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Susanne Faux | Physical Therapist
Certifications: Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Expertise: breast cancer, falls/balance, lymphedema, neurologic rehabilitation
Location: Columbia
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Lola Oyebefun | Physical Therapist
Expertise: orthopedics, pelvic health
Location: Sibley
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Laura Scheufele | Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist
Certifications: Board-Certified Women's Health Specialist
Expertise: pelvic health
Location: Baltimore
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Madeline Urban | Physical Therapist
Certifications: Board-Certified Women's Health Specialist
Expertise: pelvic health
Location: Lutherville