During this live webinar Stephanie Prendergast, MPT and I discuss the role of pelvic floor physical therapy in creating optimal pelvic health through a woman’s life, and treating pelvic pain conditions such as vulvodynia, vaginismus, interstitial cystitis and endometriosis. Stephanie shares recent findings in the field of pelvic health, a top tip for keeping the pelvic floor healthy, and more! Stephanie has been a valued and trusted contributing expert for my Healing Female Pain group program for many years and PHRC is a leader in the field of pelvic health and pain relief. Here’s her full bio: Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT is cofounder of the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, which opened in San Francisco in 2006. Since then, she and Liz Akinicilar have grown PHRC to nine additional locations: Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Los Gatos, West Los Angeles, and Westlake Village, CA, Lexington, MA, Natick, MA, and Bedford, NH. The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is the largest multicenter clinic in the United States dedicated solely to management of pelvic floor disorders, helping women, men, children, transgender and gender nonconforming persons optimize their pelvic health. She currently treats patients in the West Los Angeles location. Stephanie and Liz developed the first continuing education course on the topic of Pudendal Neuralgia and taught the 2-day course 37 times between 2006 – 2013. Stephanie was elected to the International Pelvic Pain Society’s Board of Directors in 2002 and in 2013 she was the first physical therapist to be President of the Society. In 2013 and 2015 she served on the Program Committee of World Congress of Abdominal and Pelvic Pain and 2017 served as the Scientific Program Chair, bringing the World Congress to the United States. She has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks and regularly lectures at medical conferences and in the community on pelvic health-related topics. In 2019 Stephanie and Liz developed a second continuing education course, Advanced Management of Pelvic Pain Syndromes, which they currently offer virtually. She developed a digital health platform for PHRC and also mentors other pelvic health professionals. She is an advocate for people with pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapists, and the field of pelvic health. She and Liz co-authored the popular book, Pelvic Pain Explained, in 2016.  PHRC publishes an award-winning blog, As The Pelvis Turns, every Thursday. And I will share her links with you at the end of our call today! If you’d like to learn more about PHRC, schedule a visit in person or virtually, and/or connect with them on social media, here’s the information from Stephanie on how you can do that during this time… “All 9 of the PHRC clinics are open and we are taking new patients. We are following the CDC COVID guidelines to keep our employees and patients safe during these uncertain times. We are working reduced schedules with enhanced sanitation procedures. In addition to the in-person appointments we are offering virtual services that include pelvic health consultations for any and all pelvic health concerns, online yoga and pilates, and integrative health and nutrition services. People can check out the services and sign up at www.pelvicpainrehab.com/telehealth. We are also offering clinical and mentoring services for professionals interested in pelvic health or building a business. We are excited to have recently launched a YouTube Channel and are also having fun on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.”

Other resources mentioned on the webinar:

PHRCs YouTube video on how to do a vulvar exam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KEF3e1yte0 Extendable mirror for vulvar exam, available on Amazon. Reference for the pelvic floor laminate: Marie Josie Forget, 2004, available for purchase: https://totalpelvichealth.ca/products/male-female-bundle Lorraine’s Mind Body Pain Relief Course: Healing Female Pain