Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Dr. Clare McConahay, PT, DPT

I first learned of the Pelvic Health Physical Therapy specialty during my Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Indiana State University. It quickly caught my interest as I discovered how well it helped women with medical problems that are so often overlooked by society and the medical industry in general. For example, women are so often told to just "not jump on trampolines" after childbirth to avoid leakage or "drink a glass of wine" to relax if sexual intercourse is associated with pelvic discomfort as these problems are seen as "normal" for women to have and to live with. While these problems are common to have, I have become passionate about educating and helping women learn that these problems do not have to be lived with and can be helped with physical therapy.

I was able to complete a six-week clinical rotation at the University of Iowa where I was mentored by Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists and was able to successfully treat pelvic floor patients and help them achieve their goals.

Upon graduation, I was able to become PH Level 1 certified through the American Physical Therapy Association and am eager to start providing incontinence and pelvic pain services to the women of Bloomington.

Dr. Chelsea Schwegman, PT, DPT

My initial interest in pelvic health began while I was in physical therapy school. My sister was pregnant with her first child and was experiencing pelvic pain early on. Frustrated that my schooling did not cover this topic in much detail, I helped her the best I could at the time to find relief for the remaining five months of pregnancy. Fast forward, now working with spine pain every day, I began noticing a pattern. Women were telling me about low back pain and incontinence that they had endured for 5-20 years. The story was always, “it began when I was pregnant…when I delivered my children… it never went away.” After hearing this for almost a year, I officially began the journey into women’s health physical therapy. The pelvis has a close relationship with the spine and subtle modifications can impact quality of life. I want to educate women on how they don’t have to settle for pain in exchange for having a family. Furthermore,there are ways to find relief with reproductive conditions such as PCOS or Endometriosis.

Earlier this year I became Pelvic Floor Level 1 certified through Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. I’ve taken courses on Pregnancy and Postpartum Rehabilitation which addresses conditions such as pelvic girdle and low back pain during pregnancy and postpartum, diastasis recti, cesarean scar release, incontinence, and mastitis. I’ve also taken courses in visceral mobilization of the abdomen with plans to complete the reproductive course next year. I’m currently learning more about therapy for reproductive conditions to expand my knowledge and skill set for a more inclusive approach to women’s health.