Submitted by Dr. Jennifer Penrose for Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy

Dr. Brittany Petrie has been a physical therapist since 2011, with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and extensive training in pelvic floor physical therapy. She is passionate about helping people with their pelvic health needs. She welcomes people of all sexes and backgrounds and can help with all issues related to pelvic health. She employs a combination of education on lifestyle and behavioral considerations, hands-on manual techniques, research-backed modalities, and specific exercise programming to achieve her patients’ goals. Dr. Petrie believes in being a partner in your health journey and strives to make the process as comfortable as possible. She has given a number of community presentations on pelvic health topics and loves to share her knowledge with others. She will start to do free Pelvic Health Education seminars at Penrose Physical Therapy in Lacey, WA so follow Penrose Physical Therapy on Facebook, Instagram or get on our email list by requesting “workshop dates” at info@penrosept.com. 

What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on evaluating and treating conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues at the base of the pelvis that support organs such as the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum, while also playing a critical role in functions like urination, bowel movements, and sexual health.

If you think nothing can be done and you have “tried” kegels and physical therapy in the past we would urge you to try again. Maybe there are newer technologies and techniques that you weren’t offered before. It is possible that Dr. Brittany Petrie’s approach could work better for you. Have you every had a bad hair cut before and you then went to someone else who understood what you wanted? Every profession we will find variations and maybe this particular person and approach will work better for you. If you feel stuck and hopeless with your pelvic health issue then we encourage you to reach out and at least schedule the consult/exam.

Key Aspects of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:

1. Assessment:
   • A pelvic floor physical therapist evaluates your symptoms, medical history, and overall pelvic health.
   • This may involve an external and/or internal physical examination to assess muscle strength, coordination, and areas of pain or tension. You are completely in charge of what you are comfortable with regarding this assessment. Dr. Brittany Petrie will explain exactly what is involved with pelvic anatomy models and show you what areas she would like to assess; but only with your permission. This area of physical therapy is often a very sensitive topic with possibly traumatic histories. 
2. Treatment Techniques:
   • Strengthening Exercises: To improve support and function for weak or underactive pelvic muscles.
   • Relaxation Techniques: For overactive or tight pelvic muscles, including breathing exercises, stretching, and manual therapy.
   • Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to release tension, improve alignment, or address scar tissue from surgeries or childbirth.
   • Biofeedback: Uses sensors and visual or auditory feedback to help patients learn how to control their pelvic muscles.
   • Education: On posture, body mechanics, and lifestyle modifications to support pelvic health.
3. Common Conditions Treated:
   • Urinary incontinence or urgency
   • Fecal incontinence
   • Pelvic organ prolapse
   • Chronic pelvic pain
   • Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
   • Postpartum recovery
   • Constipation
   • Endometriosis or related pain
4. Goals of Therapy:
   • Restore proper function of the pelvic floor muscles
   • Alleviate pain and discomfort
   • Improve quality of life through better bladder, bowel, and sexual health

Please give the “Stay Healthy South Sound” podcast a listen where Dr. Jennifer Penrose and Dr. Brittany Petrie discuss pelvic health and common conditions and tips to help. May the podcast give you hope if you have been hopeless in this area of your life. We want you to know that you can improve your current situation. I heard a great quote, “What you are not changing you are choosing.” May you find the courage to step towards change if you are suffering with pelvic health issues. We would love to partner with you in that journey.

Penrose Physical Therapy is excited to add Pelvic Health services with Dr. Brittany Petrie. We are located at 1445 Galaxy Dr. Suite 301 Lacey, WA 98516. Visit our website at or call/text 360-456-1444 or email info@penrosept.com. If you want to join our email list so you know when our first workshop will be regarding pelvic health please sign up to receive our weekly email blasts about the latest happenings at our clinic.