Key insights

• Advocacy and Support for Cancer Patients

  • 🏥 Cancer centers are moving towards pre-treatment care for solid tumors
  • 🗣️ Advocating for self-advocacy in seeking medical care and addressing the gaps in care for young adults with cancer
  • 📺 Promoting available resources like YouTube and social media for cancer patients
  • 🙏 Expressing gratitude for the interview and sharing expertise

• Additional Therapies and Considerations

  • 🔄 Explanation of reverse Kegel exercises for pelvic floor relaxation
  • 💉 Additional oncology-related treatments provided by rehab providers

• Pelvic Floor Support and Interventions

  • 🤔 Importance of addressing incontinence in cancer patients and debunking myths about Kegel exercises
  • 🏋️ Key interventions include addressing constipation, pelvic floor exercises, strengthening core and breathing techniques
  • 🔗 Highlighting the connection between the diaphragm and pelvic floor

• Improving Bladder Emptying

  • 🚽 Pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, rushing or pushing to pee, and medical conditions can affect bladder emptying
  • 🪑 Sitting down to relax the pelvic floor and adopting proper bathroom posture can help improve the bladder emptying process

• Patient Empowerment and Support

  • 📋 Encouraging patients to create a list of questions or concerns for medical appointments
  • 📜 Getting assistance from therapists with specialized certifications
  • 🚽 Identifying common reasons for incomplete bladder emptying

• Approaches to Improving Sexual Health

  • 💊 Assisting in improving blood flow, erectile tissue, and address vaginal dryness
  • 🔧 Recommend strategies, tools, and devices like pelvic floor exercises, dilator training, and vaginal moisturizers
  • 💬 Discussing sexual and pelvic health is essential for medical providers and patients

• Physical Therapy for Cancer Survivors

  • 🩺 Patients often experience sexual dysfunction after cancer treatments
  • 🔍 Therapy can address scarring, fibrosis, pain, and erectile dysfunction, providing tools and guidance to improve sexual function
  • 👥 Shadowed a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health and oncology

• Dr. Alex Hill's Expertise

  • 👩 Discusses pelvic health, including sexual health, urinary issues, and pelvic cancers
  • 🌈 Inclusive approach to pelvic health and oncology rehab, addressing disparities and gaps in care for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals
  • ⚕️ Specialties in pelvic health, oncology, and lymphedema rehabilitation, covering a wide range of diagnoses including postpartum issues, sexual dysfunction, and gender affirming care
  • 📚 Passionate about providing inclusive and empowering education on pelvic health and oncology rehab

Q&A

• What is the trend in cancer centers regarding pre-treatment care?

  Cancer centers are increasingly focusing on pre-treatment care for solid tumors, advocating for self-advocacy, addressing the gaps in care for young adults with cancer, and promoting available resources, such as YouTube and social media, for cancer patients.

• What potential issues are associated with excessive Kegel exercises?

  Excessive Kegel exercises can lead to muscle fatigue and increased leakage. The discussion also covers the introduction and explanation of reverse Kegel exercises for pelvic floor relaxation and other oncology-related treatments provided by rehab providers.

• What are the key interventions for pelvic floor health?

  Key interventions for pelvic floor health include addressing constipation, pelvic floor exercises, core strengthening, breathing techniques, and functional movement therapy. The discussion also highlights the connection between the diaphragm and pelvic floor in various health conditions and activities.

• How can bladder emptying be improved?

  Improving bladder emptying involves relaxing the pelvic floor by sitting down to pee, addressing underlying medical conditions, adopting proper bathroom posture, and seeking professional help if necessary.

• What are common reasons for incomplete bladder emptying?

  Incomplete bladder emptying can be caused by issues with pelvic floor muscles, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, rushing or pushing to pee, medical conditions, and even improper bathroom posture.

• How can patients find therapists specializing in pelvic health and oncology?

  Patients can find therapists specializing in pelvic health and oncology by using websites that allow them to search by ZIP code and specialty. Therapists may have certifications like Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) and Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC).

• What are some strategies recommended by physical therapists to improve sexual health?

  Physical therapists recommend strategies like pelvic floor exercises, dilator training, and the use of vaginal moisturizers to improve blood flow, erectile tissue, and address issues such as vaginal dryness and fragility.

• How can physical therapy help cancer survivors?

  Physical therapy can assist in addressing various symptoms experienced by cancer survivors, such as scarring, fibrosis, pain, and sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction. Therapists provide tools, guidance, and empowerment to improve sexual function and redefine sexual activity.

• What is the focus of Dr. Alex Hill's practice?

  Dr. Alex Hill, also known as enco pelvic PT, focuses on pelvic health, oncology rehabilitation, and lymphedema rehabilitation. She takes an inclusive approach, covering a wide range of diagnoses, including postpartum issues, sexual dysfunction, and gender affirming care.

• 00:00 👩 Dr. Alex Hill, also known as enco pelvic PT on Instagram, discusses pelvic health, including sexual health, urinary issues, and pelvic cancers, in an interview with Dr. Tina Kaser and Dr. Leia Sherman. She highlights the inclusive nature of her practice, covering a wide range of diagnoses, such as postpartum issues, sexual dysfunction, and gender affirming care. Dr. Hill's specialties include pelvic health, oncology, and lymphedema rehabilitation, with a focus on providing inclusive and empowering education.
• 06:31 A physical therapist shares insights about working with cancer survivors and addressing sexual dysfunction. Patients are often underserved in terms of sexual health after cancer treatments. Physical therapy can help with various symptoms like scarring, fibrosis, pain, and erectile dysfunction, providing tools and guidance to improve sexual function.
• 12:41 Physical therapists can help improve blood flow, erectile tissue, and address vaginal dryness; they recommend strategies, tools, and devices such as pelvic floor exercises, dilator training, and vaginal moisturizers; discussing sexual and pelvic health is important for medical providers and patients, and approaching the topic with sensitivity is crucial.
• 18:22 Patients are encouraged to create a list of questions or concerns for medical appointments, especially for sensitive topics. Therapists specializing in pelvic health and oncology may have certifications like WCS and PRPC. Websites can help find therapists by ZIP code and specialty. Common reasons for incomplete bladder emptying include pelvic floor muscle issues.
• 23:59 Various factors such as pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, rushing or pushing to pee, and medical conditions can affect bladder emptying. Sitting down to relax the pelvic floor, addressing underlying medical conditions, and proper bathroom posture can help improve the bladder emptying process.
• 29:16 The discussion covers the importance of pelvic floor support, including addressing incontinence in cancer patients, debunking myths about Kegel exercises, and the impact of constipation on pelvic floor health. Key interventions include addressing constipation, pelvic floor exercises, strengthening core and breathing techniques, and functional movement therapy. The connection between the diaphragm and pelvic floor is highlighted.
• 34:25 Discussion about the potential issues with excessive Kegel exercises, explanation of reverse Kegel, and additional oncology-related treatments provided by rehab providers.
• 40:05 The trend in cancer centers is to start pre-treatment care for solid tumors, advocating for self-advocacy, addressing the gaps in care for young adults, promoting available resources, and expressing gratitude for the interview.