Ep237: The Importance of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Dr. Marcy Crouch

The American healthcare system doesn’t value preventative care, especially when it comes to reproductive health. One tool that could help in preventing injury and improving healing after birth is pelvic floor physical therapy. It’s not a standard part of maternity care so its benefits aren’t widely known by practitioners - even I didn't know that pelvic floor physical therapists could help with pregnancy and birth related issues until years into my practice. It may not even occur to providers to recommend it to you.That’s where clinicians like Marcy Crouch come in. With over 180K followers on Instagram, Marcy, AKA The Down There Doc, is spreading the word of the benefits of pelvic floor PT. She believes in and practices pregnancy-related preparation and recovery through manual therapy and functional training just like you would with any other muscle. Someday I hope to see pelvic floor physical therapists as a routine part of birth including in-hospital care but until then, listen to this episode and ask your healthcare provider about pelvic PT.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What makes Marcy so passionate about her workHow and why Marcy began offering pelvic floor physical therapy onlineWhat, exactly, a pelvic floor therapist isWhat kind of training and certifications are required to do her workWhat to expect if you go see a pelvic floor physical therapistWhether PT is covered by insuranceWhat the most common types of pelvic pain areWhich tools are helpful in healing and how to choose the right onesWhat are vulvar varicosities and what can be done--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode237Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right WayFree Resources to Help You Birth With PowerGet the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patientsOur Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy