Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
The pelvic floor is the set of muscles located at the basin of our pelvis that play a role in our core stability, bowel, bladder, and sexual function. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a subspecialty of PT focused on addressing dysfunction related to the pelvic floor.
Some symptoms and conditions treated by pelvic floor PTs include, but are not limited to:
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Pelvic pain (genital, abdominal, hip, tailbone, sacroiliac, low back)
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Bladder and bowel issues (incontinence, frequent urination, constipation, IBS, painful bladder syndrome)
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Sexual function concerns (painful intercourse and changes in arousal)
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Pregnancy and Post-Partum (pain, diastasis, prolapse, stress incontinence)
PSST! EVERYONE'S GOT ONE... YES, EVEN YOU SIR!
That’s right! Everyone has a pelvic floor which means anyone can experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor PTs are trained to work with both male- and female-identifying individuals to treat their unique symptoms and anatomy.
Though historically underdiagnosed and undertreated, it is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men have or will experience pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime. Did you know that pelvic floor dysfunction can be the underlying cause of low back and hip pain? By offering pelvic floor physical therapy at FlySpace, we know we can offer more comprehensive care to all of our patients.
A physical therapist with specialized training in pelvic floor treatment will ask you a battery of questions regarding the health of your pelvic floor and perform a series of objective tests looking at how you move and breathe and assess what impact that may have on your pelvic floor. If indicated, and always with your consent, a pelvic floor therapist may perform an internal exam to palpate the pelvic floor muscles to assess their strength, ability to relax, as well overall muscle and soft tissue length and tone to determine their impact on your symptoms.
Why should performers be aware of their pelvic floor?
A few factors may predispose performing artists to pelvic floor issues:
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Nature of high impact activity with decreased periods of rest and recovery may lead to overloading of pelvic floor to compensate for other weaker muscles.
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Increased tendency for some performers to be hypermobile may lead to decreased stability and increased stress on pelvic floor.
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Impact of some learned habits in technique involving excessive gripping of core and deep hip rotators
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High stress job and work environment and the pelvic floor’s connection with our autonomic nervous system.
We have worked with these Dance and Theater Companies
OUR PELVIC FLOOR SPECIALISTS
Our team of Physical Therapists have different specialities, including pelvic floor physical therapy, and have worked with over 1000 clients over the last 3 years, both here in-clinic and onsite at theaters and dance companies. We are confident that you will get the results you need to get healthy and strong again so you can get your life back.
Ami Kirollos
Physical Therapist
PT, DPT, CSCS
As a performing arts physical therapist and former dancer, Ami Kirollos, PT, DPT, CSCS is passionate about keeping performers healthy and moving at their utmost finest. She has had experience working onsite with artists from Atlanta Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Steps on Broadway, GALLIM, St. Ann’s Warehouse and others. In the clinic, she has worked with countless professional and pre-professional dancers, actors, and singers from Broadway to concert dance to ballet. Ami firmly believes that “movement is medicine" and uses a combination of manual and movement-based approaches to treat her patients. Her objective is to empower her patients with a solid comprehension of ideal movement patterns and an arsenal of knowledge to enable lasting healing and a successful enduring career. Additionally, Ami also specializes in treating pelvic floor conditions and has a particular interest in the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction as it relates to the performing artist. Ami has completed advanced training in in dance medicine, pelvic floor therapy, concussion management, osteopathic manual therapy, and Pilates. Ami is always learning. In addition to specializing in performing arts medicine, Ami is a certified pelvic floor rehabilitation specialist from Herman and Wallace & APTA (levels 1 & 2), a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and is Pilates Mat certified from Polestar. She has also taken advanced coursework in concussion management, pelvic floor for the athlete, manual therapy from the Institute of Physical Art, Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine Certification from the Performing Arts Medical Association and much more. Ami is a graduate of Indiana University, where she studied Dance and Sociology. She went on to receive her Doctorate from Emory University School of Medicine.
