Holistic Pelvic Therapy is heavily based on the principles of Holistic Pelvic Care™ (HPC), which is a specific type of internal pelvic bodywork pioneered by Tami Kent, MSPT, a Portland-based women’s health physical therapist. Holistic Pelvic Therapy (HPT) is intravaginal work that is blended with HPC, CST, emotional release, myofascial release, gentle massage, breath work, and energy work. Using these techniques help to realign pelvic musculature, connective tissue, and energy by releasing congested or empty areas, bringing balanced blood flow into the pelvic bowl, and help decrease problematic symptoms.
You may be wondering why a therapist would want to work on intravaginal muscles. Just as other muscles in our bodies become stressed, overworked, tight, and imbalanced, so, too, do the intravaginal muscles. Intravaginal muscles form what is called the pelvic bowl. Imbalances in the pelvic bowl can be caused from traumas and stressors cause by various reasons. Most common reasons are everyday life stresses, pregnancy, vaginal or cesarean birth, miscarriages or abortions, physical and sexual abuse/assault, accidents, traumatic childhoods, and suppression of emotions.
Sometimes women seek out HPT in order to reestablish energetic flow and balance within their body. Some women have described this as a “tune up” for their pelvic region. Not all people who look to HPT do so because of negative issues. However, there are many who are having negative symptoms and do not know where to go to get help for the problems they are experiencing. Some women use HPT to work in conjunction with their doctors or physical and/or mental therapists to address the issues they are having.
Some issues HPT can help aid in healing are (but not limited to):
Postpartum issues and recovery
Birth trauma
Mensrual pain
Recovery after miscarriage or abortion
Painful intercourse or sexual activity
Sexual dysfunction
Urinary leakage
Cystocele
Chronic urinary infections
Urinary leakage
Uterine prolapse
Trauma caused by accidents
Trauma caused by abuse/assault
Preparing for conception and fertility support.
How many sessions a women needs is differs from person to person. Most women experience some changes and results after their first session. Some women come back soon for follow up sessions and others space out their follow up sessions. Typically, you can expect between 1 to 5 or 6 sessions depending on what your needs and goals are. The first session is always the longest, which can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes. Time is spent discussing the therapy, answering questions, and going over history. Follow up sessions are usually shorter, lasting about 45 minutes.
You may be wondering how a typical session looks like. First off, there are no gynecological tables used. This is not like going to the doctor/midwife and having to put your feet into stirrups. The therapy takes place on a massage table while you lay down on your back. You will only need to undress from the waist down and you will be covered with a sheet the whole time. You are also in driver's seat; you will not be “made” to do anything without your consent and we move at your pace.
HPT works first on bringing yourself into awareness of your entire body. We are often wrapped up and sometimes even trapped inside our heads that we are cut off from much of the rest of our bodies. After taking a personal history, having a discussion, and answering questions, we start with external energy work. Just like the idea of chakras in a linear pattern, time is spent on each area of the visceral body, moving downward, helping you to connect with each area. Many women start to have disconnection around the heart area, some women’s disconnections are higher up (such as the throat) while others may be lower (such as in the abdominal organs). Most women, however, are significantly disconnected from the pelvic bowl. Internal work does not start until connection and awareness with your body is established.
When you are ready and with permission, we will begin the internal work. This involves the therapist inserting a gloved and lubricated finger, usually the index finger, into the vagina. Assessment will begin of the internal muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic bowl. After identifying problematic areas, several techniques will be used, such as CST, energy work, and body awareness. You will be an active participant in this work as you and the your provider will dialogue back and forth to best address the issues that are occurring in the body.
Some women are concerned about making an appointment and then being on their menses at the time of their session. It is completely ok to be on your menstrual cycle, at any stage, when receiving HPT. Sometimes, being on your menses can be helpful in aiding the body of shedding old thoughts, belief systems, and behavior patterns.
You may be wondering why a therapist would want to work on intravaginal muscles. Just as other muscles in our bodies become stressed, overworked, tight, and imbalanced, so, too, do the intravaginal muscles. Intravaginal muscles form what is called the pelvic bowl. Imbalances in the pelvic bowl can be caused from traumas and stressors cause by various reasons. Most common reasons are everyday life stresses, pregnancy, vaginal or cesarean birth, miscarriages or abortions, physical and sexual abuse/assault, accidents, traumatic childhoods, and suppression of emotions.
Sometimes women seek out HPT in order to reestablish energetic flow and balance within their body. Some women have described this as a “tune up” for their pelvic region. Not all people who look to HPT do so because of negative issues. However, there are many who are having negative symptoms and do not know where to go to get help for the problems they are experiencing. Some women use HPT to work in conjunction with their doctors or physical and/or mental therapists to address the issues they are having.
Some issues HPT can help aid in healing are (but not limited to):
Postpartum issues and recovery
Birth trauma
Mensrual pain
Recovery after miscarriage or abortion
Painful intercourse or sexual activity
Sexual dysfunction
Urinary leakage
Cystocele
Chronic urinary infections
Urinary leakage
Uterine prolapse
Trauma caused by accidents
Trauma caused by abuse/assault
Preparing for conception and fertility support.
How many sessions a women needs is differs from person to person. Most women experience some changes and results after their first session. Some women come back soon for follow up sessions and others space out their follow up sessions. Typically, you can expect between 1 to 5 or 6 sessions depending on what your needs and goals are. The first session is always the longest, which can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes. Time is spent discussing the therapy, answering questions, and going over history. Follow up sessions are usually shorter, lasting about 45 minutes.
You may be wondering how a typical session looks like. First off, there are no gynecological tables used. This is not like going to the doctor/midwife and having to put your feet into stirrups. The therapy takes place on a massage table while you lay down on your back. You will only need to undress from the waist down and you will be covered with a sheet the whole time. You are also in driver's seat; you will not be “made” to do anything without your consent and we move at your pace.
HPT works first on bringing yourself into awareness of your entire body. We are often wrapped up and sometimes even trapped inside our heads that we are cut off from much of the rest of our bodies. After taking a personal history, having a discussion, and answering questions, we start with external energy work. Just like the idea of chakras in a linear pattern, time is spent on each area of the visceral body, moving downward, helping you to connect with each area. Many women start to have disconnection around the heart area, some women’s disconnections are higher up (such as the throat) while others may be lower (such as in the abdominal organs). Most women, however, are significantly disconnected from the pelvic bowl. Internal work does not start until connection and awareness with your body is established.
When you are ready and with permission, we will begin the internal work. This involves the therapist inserting a gloved and lubricated finger, usually the index finger, into the vagina. Assessment will begin of the internal muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic bowl. After identifying problematic areas, several techniques will be used, such as CST, energy work, and body awareness. You will be an active participant in this work as you and the your provider will dialogue back and forth to best address the issues that are occurring in the body.
Some women are concerned about making an appointment and then being on their menses at the time of their session. It is completely ok to be on your menstrual cycle, at any stage, when receiving HPT. Sometimes, being on your menses can be helpful in aiding the body of shedding old thoughts, belief systems, and behavior patterns.
