Pleasure as Medicine: Exploring Healing with Physical Therapist Dee Hartmann

Today, we have the incredible Dee Hartmann, a distinguished pelvic floor physical therapist and author. We dive deep into the topics of pleasure and healing, exploring how embracing pleasure—beyond just the sexual—can fundamentally transform our approach to treating sexual pain and dysfunction.Dee brings her expertise and insights from her book "A Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain," co-authored with Elizabeth Wood. We'll discuss how women can reclaim their bodies, find joy in everyday sensual experiences, and the critical role these play in our overall well-being. From feeling the breeze to appreciating the sky, Dee advocates for a life rich in sensory experiences as a pathway to better health and happier lives.We also tackle the complex issues of genital self-esteem and the concerning trends in cosmetic genital surgeries. We'll uncover the beauty of vulvar diversity and stress the importance of preserving the sensory and erotic functions of female genitalia.Get ready to be informed, inspired, and possibly transformed as we discuss the body's capacity for pleasure and the power of a positive mindset. The show keeps growing with your support. Please remember to like, share, and give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts.Highlights:Dee shares her holistic approach to treating chronic vulvar pain and sexual dysfunction, emphasizing the importance of sensory appreciation and pleasure in the healing process. She shares insights from her book, "A Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain," providing practical advice for women to regain pleasure and control over their sexual health.Empowerment Through Sensory Experiences is explored, as is the concept of pleasure beyond sexual interactions. Listeners are encouraged to engage in sensory experiences like feeling the breeze, observing nature, and appreciating the beauty around them to enhance their serotonin levels and overall well-being.Addressing Genital Self-Esteem and Labiaplasty Trends, we talk about this concerning trend of genital self-esteem and the increasing trend of labiaplasty among young women. We advocate for the appreciation of the diversity and natural variation of vulvas, discussing the potential risks of aggressive labial surgeries while highlighting the importance of preserving the sensory and erectile tissues critical for sexual pleasure and function.Integrative Treatment for Vestibular Pain—Dee introduces her integrated approach to managing vestibular pain, which considers psychological, physical, and social factors. She describes a set of five exercises aimed at reducing palpated pain at the opening of the vulva, empowering women to better understand and control their pelvic pain.Connect with Dee:Genital Health and Education, Inc Co-founder, VulvaLove, IncCo-developer of the Pleasure MovementBookGet in Touch with Dr. Rahman:PracticeGynoGirl WebsiteInstagramYoutube