What to Expect at Healthy Core

If you have had traditional physical therapy, you might have been interviewed about your condition in an open gym setting, which is typical in sports medicine or orthopedic clinics. However, when dealing with core and pelvic floor issues or other personal concerns, privacy becomes crucial. Here's what you can anticipate when receiving treatment at Healthy Core:

You will be escorted to a private room where your physical therapist will review your medical history, discuss the background of your condition, and any treatments you have undergone. The therapist will educate you in anatomy and physiology as applicable to what you are seeking help for. To maximize your visit, please arrive well-hydrated, ready to learn and wear loose-fitting or athletic clothing.

What to Expect at the Initial Examination:

• Assessment of spinal mobility. Your therapist is looking for motion at each segment and stability at other segments, including sacral mobility and how well the sacrum moves on the lumbar spine.

• Evaluating leg length and pelvic alignment is important. When one of the hip bones is pulled forward, it can give the illusion that one leg is longer than the other, leading to unusual tension within the pelvis and along the spine.

• Evaluation of the range of motion and the capability of your pelvis to move relative to your spine.

• Evaluation of muscle strength, focusing specifically on your gluteal muscles, as well as the timing and coordination of your breathing and deep core muscles.

• Evaluation of muscle tone and trigger points relevant to the area for which you are seeking help.

• Evaluation of your abdominal wall strength and the mobility of your organs (viscera), if applicable, including your diaphragm and regions of tension around peripheral nerves exiting your pelvis, such as the sciatic nerve, pudendal nerve, and obturator nerve.

• Evaluation of pelvic floor muscles both externally and intravaginally, if suitable for your specific condition. Usually, this is done at a later stage after pain has decreased and pelvic mobility and correct breathing has been reestablished.

What Treatment You Might Receive the First Day:

• Releasing trigger points and learning to self-treat hypertonic, dysfunctional muscles at home.

• Visceral mobilization - a deeper form of myofascial release to the abdominal wall, peripheral nerves and pelvic floor.

• Integrative dry needling therapy (optional) involves inserting a fine, microfilament tool into areas of tension and trigger points on both sides of the body, typically including the neck, lower back, hips, and legs.

• Guidance for a home exercise program including restorative breathing, realignment exercises, stretching routines, self-trigger point techniques and muscle retraining.

• Adjustments to your existing exercise routine. Regardless of whether you're an experienced athlete or a casual exerciser, we will consider suitable fitness and recreational activities for your situation.

• You and your therapist will establish attainable goals and expectations for your recovery.

How You Might Feel After the First Appointment:

• Improved mobility and decreased pain and stiffness.

• Enhanced ability in walking, performing daily activities and exercising.

• A feeling of empowerment and optimism, along with increased motivation to engage in exercise.

• Enhanced muscle performance. You may experience weakness or fatigue, though some individuals feel invigorated.

What to Expect at Follow-up Appointments:

• Your therapist will listen to your feedback from the previous treatment and the symptoms you are currently experiencing, typically scheduled once a week for four weeks and as needed after goals are achieved.

• Your therapist will conduct a quick assessment of mobility, depth of breath and other neuromuscular changes.

• You will received manual therapy which may include visceral mobilization, trigger point release, and/or dry needling therapy, based on the structures that remain tight or dysfunctional.

• You will receive additional and more advanced home exercises with adjustments to tackle remaining challenges.

• Your diet and gut health will be discussed to optimize core muscle performance. This could involve general information or a referral to a functional medicine specialist or allergist to tackle gut inflammation.

• You will receive skills to stay healthy long term which might include exercises for nervous system regulation, to reduce and prevent inflammation in the future.

When Will You be Discharged From Therapy?

• When the initially set goals have been achieved by more than 90%.

• When you possess the right skills and exercises to manage your condition in the future.

• If you are no longer suitable for treatment at our clinic or you are not making expected progress.

What if You are Not Ready to be on Your Own?

• You have the option to schedule a 30-minute monthly Phase II appointment for a check-in with your therapist to receive manual therapy. This is regarded as "maintenance" and may include dry needling.

• You may arrange a 15-minute monthly dry needling session.

• Your therapist can leave your chart open for a brief period and periodically check on your progress independently. You can come back for a tune-up session later if you experience a flare-up. If more than a year has passed or you need assistance with a different issue, we will arrange a re-evaluation with your therapist.

We are committed to identifying the root cause of the issue and equipping you with the skills to proactively manage your health. Pain and dysfunction does not have to be part of your life and a solution is available! We look forward to collaborating with you to achieve optimal living and health.