NSU Horizons Spring/Summer 2009

there may be a better option than medications and surgery. Therefore, it is essential to get proper diagnoses and proper treatments. What are some of the techniques you use in treating pelvic floor dysfunction? There are two different physical therapy programs and techniques we use to treat pelvic floor dysfunction. One is for patients experiencing weakness with no pain. The weakness displays itself as incontinence. We can teach these individuals to strengthen and control those muscles through biofeedback and Kegel exercises. Biofeedback is a tool we use for teaching the patient how to locate, activate, and release the pelvic floor muscles. It visually shows the patient on a screen when, and to what intensity, they are activating those muscles. The second patient population is more complicated and not talked about as often. We see more patients with pelvic pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. These patients come to us with bladder, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction. For these issues, we help patients through stretching, relax- ation techniques, and manual therapy. With this population, the muscles seem to be more tense and tight. So, we teach them to relax the muscles and control muscle spasms. Why do you offer nontraditional therapies such as acupuncture and yoga through your practice? I feel that a holistic approach is better for this specific patient population. The diagnosis is often difficult to hear. We also refer patients for stress management and mental health help. The majority of physical therapists offer tradi- tional therapy, but I think the multidisciplinary approach is an emerging and useful trend. What should someone studying physical therapy know now? The changes in health care are making it more challenging to open and maintain a private practice. Having this niche has helped me. I would recommend that anyone going into the field try to find a specialization. Looking back, would you have done anything differently in your training? I would have liked to work in a hospital. That would have enabled me to complete rotations in different areas. You have a thriving practice and a book out. What’s next? I’m back at NSU, working on my doctorate in physical thera- py online. I’d also like to expand my practice, and I’ve started doing some public speaking. How did your experience at NSU help you in your career? It helped me become more independent. That’s what NSU promoted by encouraging me to continue research on my own. My professors guided me, but they wanted me to seek things out on my own. We also worked in groups, which helped me learn how to work well with others. What advice do you have for NSU students? Work hard to reach your goals, but enjoy your life. At NSU, I feel like I had a good balance in that sense. It was hard, but I really enjoyed my classmates. Some of my closest friends are fellow graduates. n 23 horizons