The Pelvic Messenger: Discussing Pelvic, Bladder, Bowel and Sexual Disorders

Carolyn Vandyken, BHSc (PT), Registered Physiotherapist, graduated from McMaster University in 1986 with a degree in Physiotherapy and has practiced in a wide variety of clinical settings, focusing primarily on orthopedics. She has been a MacKenzie credentialed physiotherapist since 1999 and has been a member of the Canadian College of Medical Acupuncture since 2002. Her clinical focus changed to Pelvic Health and Incontinence in 2001. Carolyn was the co-founder of Pelvic Health Solutions, a Canadian-based post-graduate teaching company. Carolyn presents extensively internationally on pelvic health and central sensitization.  She has published numerous framework articles on integrating central pain mechanisms into clinical practice, a pain education book, and several chapters in textbooks on pelvic pain and central sensitization.  She is actively involved in research with Dr. Sinead Dufour at McMaster University and has published several studies on the connection between low back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. Carolyn won the distinguished Education Award from the Ontario Physiotherapy Association in 2015.

Andrea Nicol, MD, MS, completed her residency in anesthesiology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), then trained in pain medicine at the same institution. Concurrently with fellowship training, Dr. Nicol conferred a Master’s in Science in Clinical Research through the UCLA Department of Biomathematics. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine where her clinical responsibilities include chronic pain and her research interests include fibromyalgia, centralized pain syndromes, and mechanisms of the chronification of pain.

Teresa Tam, MD is a board-certified OB/Gyn for 21 years and fellowship-trained in minimally invasive gynecological surgery (MIGS). She completed her MIGS fellowship and received advanced training in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted gynecological surgery at Penn State University/ Hershey Medical Center. Along with her private practice, “All for Women Healthcare, SC“, she is also the Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Amita Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. She was awarded the “Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology” (COEMIG) designation, an honor bestowed only to select surgeons and hospitals demonstrating exceptional minimally invasive gynecologic surgical care, along with dedication to continuously improving healthcare quality and patient safety.

Kristin Clague Reihman, MD, is a doctor, an author, and a mother of four. She left her practice in 2012 after a bout with Lyme that nearly flattened her--body, mind, and almost spirit. She used a variety of tools to recover herself fully, and writes about that in her new book, Life After Lyme: Revive Your Inner Rockstar and Achieve a Full Recovery. She currently serves as the medical director and nutrition consultant for The Family Hope Center, a multidisciplinary team that teaches parents how to heal their childrens' brains.  Her current private practice focuses on empowering groups and families with the tools, guidance, and support they need to heal the gut, which is the foundation for any healing project.   If you are interested in learning more about any of the modalities Kristin mentioned today, or want to stay abreast of future opportunities to work with her, just click this link. http://eepurl.com/dNqQnw Join a community of learning where we all become healthier, together! Put your name and email below so I can send my "8 Steps to Healing Chronic Lyme" straight to your inbox.  Be sure to white list my email address, kcreihmanmd@gmail.com, so my gift does not go to your spam folder. I promise your email and privacy will be held in strict confidence.   www.kristinreihmanmd.com   Office Address: 739 E. Emmaus Avenue Allentown, PA 18103 610-704-1294   Mailing Address: 321 E. Emmaus Avenue Allentown, PA 18103

Molly received her Bachelors of Science in environmental science from Saint Louis University and completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Emory University. During her doctoral program, she was exposed to pelvic health rehab in a refreshingly honest and holistic lecture and then continued training at a pelvic health specialty clinic with Results Physiotherapy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her mentors showed her how optimal body function needs to incorporate “unmentionables” and the role of the physical therapist addresses the all parts of life deemed important by the patient. She has continued her post-graduate training with Herman and Wallace Pelvic Health Rehabilitation Institute. Molly also pursues advanced manual orthopedic therapy training through Summit Professional Education, Therapy Network Seminars, and the Institute of Physical Art. Prior to joining Beyond Basics, Molly worked as an orthopedic therapist at Ivy Rehab in Harrison, New York where she treated a wide range of presentations and age groups strengthening her appreciation of the association between body systems and clinical reasoning abilities for complex diagnoses. Molly passionately advocates for the inclusion of physical therapy in unconventional and overlooked situations. If given a listening ear, she will convince you that physical therapy has beneficial contributions in the complex environment of pain management and opioid prescription. And if you’re a new mom, be ready for Molly to normalize the conversation about pelvic floor health—she wants to make sure that women have higher expectations from the capacity of the body.

Kathryn Witzeman, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine. Dr. Witzeman graduated from the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship in February, 2018. In 2008, Dr. Witzeman founded the Women's Integrated Pelvic Health Center at Denver Health Medical Center and has overseen its growth and development as its Director since inception. Dr. Witzeman joined the Board of Directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society in 2014, and currently serves on the Executive Board. She has been a member of IPPS since 2007. She is a Fellow of the American College of OBGYN and her clinical and research interests include vulvovaginal disorders, pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, menopausal problems, integrative medicine, biomedical ethics as is applies to the field of OBGYN and medical education. Dr. Witzeman successfully completed the 2012 APGO Scholars and Leaders program. She completed her medical degree at the University of Cincinnati SOM and subsequently completed her OBGYN residency training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Dr. Jorge Carrillo is an OB/GYN specializing in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. Trained by the famous CPP specialist, Dr. Fred Howard in Rochester, NY, Dr. Carrillo now carries on his training and expertise at the Orlando VA Medical Center with Dr. Georgine Lamvu. Dr. Carrillo is on the Board of Directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society and is Co-Chair for the Clinical Foundations Course for this year's conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We are excited to speak with Dr. Carrillo about his work at the VA, how that particular set-up allows for him to carry out an interdisciplinary approach to chronic pelvic pain, and the benefits he observes in this approach. Join us and call in with your questions!

www.livingartsmedicine.com I grew up in Berks County, Pennsylvania? surrounded and inspired by the bounty of nature, on my parents' little farm. I experienced a personal and local culture of mind body healing. My Mother was interested in herbs, natural medicines and hunted mushrooms. My Father practiced meditation. I flourished in a local community  grounded in the "back to the land" movement. The  nature loving lifestyle of this era helped me develop the necessary awareness needed to be a good doctor, healer and human being. One of my first jobs was as a tour guide at The Rodale Organic Experimental Farm. The proximity to Rodale Press created a culture of holistic health, natural living and creativity. It was a time of creative renaissance with optimism, a sense of freedom and individualism. I've traveled around the world studying various forms of healing, to come back to my roots, here in Pennsylvania to live and practice a natural healthy life. I studied Environmental Science as an undergrad. I worked with the best environmentalists and ecologists of the era including Barry Commoner, The Jacques Cousteau Society and the New York Attorney Generals' Office in the Bureau of Environmental Protection. My interest turned to nutrition and health when I got sick in college. This ultimately lead me back to a focus on my own personal environment.I changed my diet, studied Macrobiotics, shiatsu and that lead me to Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.

Dr. Kennedy provides specialized surgical care and chemotherapy services to women with gynecologic malignancies and complicated benign gynecologic conditions.  She performs procedures through a variety of approaches, minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic and robotic techniques. Dr. Kennedy believes strongly in treating the patient as a whole and incorporating patients and their loved ones into the decision-making process.  She is passionate about maximizing quality of life for her patients and supporting them in their transitions between the various phases of treatment, from diagnosis to surgery and active treatment and into survivorship and whatever lies ahead.  In addition to providing surgery, chemotherapy and surveillance for cancer patients, Dr. Kennedy also has a special interest in sexual health concerns in women and girls with cancer, and is working to develop a specialized clinic to address these concerns.

Dr. Megan Fleming is a nationally recognized certified Sex & Relationships Expert.  She has over 20 years of experience working with individuals and couples to discover what’s getting in their way and teaches them the skills and strategies to get the sex and relationships they want.  Dr. Fleming is also a clinical instructor at the Weil Cornell Medical College.   She is known for her practical advice and easy to follow guidance.  A media go to expert for all aspects of sex & relationships; she’s been featured on Anderson Cooper, Oprah Winfrey Network, MSNBC, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Maxim and The New York Times among others.

Dr Allyson Shrikhande, a board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitationspecialist, is the Vice Chair of the Medical Education Committee for the International Pelvic Pain Society. She is working with other experts in the field of chronic pelvic pain to develop training modules for residents and physicians interested in learning about the diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic pelvic pain. A leading expert on pelvic health and a respected researcher, author and lecturer, Dr. Shrikhande is a recognized authority on male and female pelvic pain diagnosis and treatment.   Dr. Shrikhandeis passionate about this cause and dedicated to helping men and women with pelvic pain who often suffer without anyone willing to listen, understand or find the cause of their pain. That’s why she has traveled the world to work with expert gynecologists, urologists, physiatrists and interventional pain physicians. She has published peer-reviewed articles on the treatment of muscle pain in academic journals and works closely with renowned pelvic pain gynecologists and urologists. Taking a team approach, she works with specialists in pelvic floor physical therapy, kinetics and movement, as well as acupuncturists, nutritionists, cognitive behavioral therapists and functional medicine physicians.

Britt Stuge has been a physiotherapist since 1982. She completed her Master of Science in 2001 and her PhD in 2005, at University of Oslo, Section for Health Science, Norway. Since 2006 she has served as a senior researcher at Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Norway where she is supervising health professionals for Master degrees and PhD studies, as well as supervising a PT PhD student from Nepal. Britt is a specialized physiotherapist in women’s health, and works part-time at a clinical practice, especially seeing patients with pelvic girdle pain. Britt has published numerous research articles and book chapters, especially on pelvic girdle pain. She has been an invited key-note speaker at several international conferences and gives courses and workshops on a national and international level. She has been a member of the scientific committee for the 7th, 8th, 9th and the upcoming 10th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain. Britt has been a member of EEC Cost Commission Group, for European guidelines for pelvic girdle pain, and a member of the Norwegian Bone & Joint Decade’s 2000-2010 professional group. Recently, she has been part of the International Olympic Committee’s Medical Commission’s expert group for evidence summary for exercise and pregnancy in recreational and elite athletes. Her work has been honored with two international awards and six national awards. She is an honorary member of the Norwegian Physiotherapy Association's Subgroup of Women's health.

Mario E Castellanos, MD, is a Gynecologic Surgeon in the Division of Surgery and Pelvic Pain at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. He is an Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Creighton University School of Medicine and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.  Dr. Castellanos received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Parkland Hospital and a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Chronic Pelvic Pain at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Castellanos is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic neuralgias, including pudendal neuralgia, and performs transgluteal pudendal decompression surgery and other nerve related procedures. His practice is dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of women with chronic pelvic pain.  He is the current Secretary of the International Pelvic Pain Society.

Dr. Paul Yong (MD, PhD, FRCSC) is a Gynaecologist at the BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis and has been with the program since it began in 2011. Dr. Yong's clinical practice is focused on pelvic pain, with a particular interest in endometriosis, painful periods, sexual pain, co-existing bladder and bowel problems, and pain related to the musculoskeletal system. His surgical interests include laparoscopic excision of complex endometriosis and prevention of adhesions in women with endometriosis and pelvic pain and infertility. Dr. Yong completed a MD/PhD degree in Experimental Medicine and a Residency in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, followed by a Clinical Fellowship in Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain, & Advanced Laparoscopy in 2012, at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Yong directs the Research Program at the BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis. His clinical research interests are in endometriosis and pelvic pain, and his translational research interests include bio-banking of endometriosis, gene sequencing in endometriosis, and investigating nerve formation in the pelvis as a cause of pain. Dr. Yong is also involved in teaching and is Assistant Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Division of Gynaecologic Specialties. womenspelvicpainendo.com & yonglab.med.ubc.ca

Dr. Praveen Thumbikat received his training as a veterinarian in 1997 from Kerala Agricultural University in India and obtained a Ph.D from the University of Minnesota in 2004. He did his postdoctoral work in the area of bladder infections at Northwestern University under mentorship of Dr. David Klumpp and Dr. Anthony Schaeffer. In 2008, Praveen was awarded a K01 career development award by the NIH/NIDDK and started studying inflammation in the prostate. In 2010, he became an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University and focused his work on understanding the pathogenesis of Chronic prostatitis/ Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, a debilitating medical condition that affects millions of men. He has made significant impact in the field as evidenced by honors such as SIIU New Investigator, Society for Infection and Inflammation in Urology, 2007, the Young investigator award, Society for Basic Urologic Research, Nov 2011, “Showcasing young investigators” American Urological Association Foundation award, May 2012, and the First Prize, AUA best poster 2017. Dr. Thumbikat has been invited by the NIH to sit on study sections including the Lower Urinary tract research network (LURN) study section as an NIDDK/NIH – review panel member, Diabetic Complications consortium (DiaComp), NIH/NIDDK (Pilot and Feasibility grant review, Special Emphasis Panel on Urologic Pain syndrome. Praveen is the Section Editor for Urology in the journal PLOS One and is an ad hoc reviewer on a large number of prestigious scientific journals both within and outside the field of Urology. In recent years Praveen and his group have expanded their focus to immunomodulation in prostate cancer and mechanistic aspects of metastatic bone pain. Praveen is very interested in translation of basic science studies to the clinic and is currently testing therapeutics in patients with chronic pelvic pain as part of a clinical trial at Northwestern University.

Dr. Keesha Ewers is an integrative medicine expert, a Doctor of Sexology, Psychotherapist, is board certified in Functional medicine and holds an advanced certification in Ayurvedic medicine, and is the founder and medical director of the Academy for Integrative Medicine Health Coach Certification Program. Dr. Keesha has been in the medical field for over 30 years. After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis—an incurable disease according to Western medicine—she discovered how to reverse autoimmunity using her Freedom Framework® Method, which she has now used with thousands of her own patients and teaches to her health coach students in her online certification program. Dr. Keesha is a Huachumera (plant medicine healer) and has been struck by lightning and come back from three near death experiences. She is a modern-day mystic and a Heyoka, or cosmic mirror (or cosmic clown). She has healed herself of autoimmune disease and cancer without the use of medications, surgery or radiation and now does the same for her patients and the students she takes on retreats and works with one to one or in her certification programs. Dr. Keesha is a popular speaker, including at Harvard and from the TEDx stage, and the best-selling author of Solving the Autoimmune Puzzle: The Woman’s Guide to Reclaiming Emotional Freedom and Vibrant Health and Your Libido Story: A workbook for women who want to find, fix, and free their sexual desire. You can listen to her Mystic Medicine Radio podcast and find her programs at DrKeesha.com. Dr. Keesha Ewers, using her personal story and the stories of her patients, speaks on how to align yourself with your body's natural ability to heal from cancer, autoimmune diseases, and more!

Tracy Sher is the owner, clinical director and pelvic physical therapist at Sher Pelvic Health and Healing in Orlando, FL. She is an orthopedic and pelvic physical therapist, educator, consultant, international speaker, founder of the global platform, Pelvic Guru, and a leading authority in the field of pelvic health. Since 2000, she has successfully started or helped expand hospital-based women's health and pelvic physical therapy programs. She currently teaches pelvic health courses internationally as a faculty member for the Pelvic Guru Academy and formerly taught with the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She was formerly on the Board of Directors for the International Pelvic Pain Society and was a main speaker at the most recent Third World Congress for Abdominal and Pelvic Pain Conference hosted by IPPS in October, 2017.  Tracy has a passion for treating complex pelvic pain, sexual pain and pudendal neuralgias and is committed to improving women's health care across the lifespan - pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

Physical Therapists, Dr. Sandy Hilton & Dr. Rhonda Kotarinos, will discuss their individual approaches to pelvic pain patient cases highlighting clinical pearls gained from their years of experience. Patients cases will be given ahead of time and they will be given the opportunity to discuss their clinical reasoning and treatment protocols.  Dr. Hilton graduated from Pacific University (Oregon) in 1988 with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Des Moines University in December 2013. She has worked in multiple settings across the US with neurologic and orthopedic emphasis combining these with a focus in pelvic rehabilitation for pain and dysfunction since 1995. Sandy has taught Health Professionals and Community Education classes on returning to function following back and pelvic pain, assisted with Myofascial Release education, and co-teaches Advanced Level Male Pelvic Floor Evaluation and Treatment. Sandy’s clinical interest is chronic pain with a particular interest in complex pelvic pain disorders for men and women.  Dr. Rhonda Kotarinos received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1974. She began her professional career a hospital acute care setting and eventually become the director of a physical therapy department. In 1980, she went into private practice where she remains today. In 1989, Rhonda completed her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University with a specialization in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She served the APTA as President of the Section on Women’s Health for 7 years. This experience heightened her interest in pelvic floor dysfunction, where she currently concentrates her clinical, educational and research responsibilities. Rhonda lectures and publishes internationally. Rhonda has also completed the Trigger Point Dry Needling course at Andrews University.

Dr. Charlie Curtis is a Board Certified Hypnotherapist who specializes in healing the body through healing the subconscious mind. He will talk to us about the various techniques he uses and the incredible research and case studies that exist on the proof behind how healing the mind can heal the body from chronic illness and pain.  Charles Curtis, BCH is Board Certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) www.ngh.net, in private practice as a Consulting Hypnotist in the Lehigh Valley PA and Reading PA areas, for adults experiencing normal problems of living, and those experiencing medical or mental health issues referred by healthcare professionals. He helps with eating habits, smoking-cessation, and emotional stress of all kinds, and specializes in helping those with medical issues reduce pain, discomfort, and emotional distress. His passion is for teaching mindfulness meditation to clients and classes for increased wellness and peace of mind, to help them achieve results similar to those described in Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based- Cognitive-Therapy (MBCT) programs. He is an award-winning hypnotist on the continuing education faculty of NGH who has been teaching stress management to clients and classes since 1983. He is a Master Practitioner and Trainer in Neuro-Linguistic-Programming for the National Federation of NLP (www.nfnlp.com). He has been a life-long practitioner of various forms of meditation, especially mindfulness meditation and has taught mindfulness at Continuing Education Conferences. For the last 10 years he has been teaching a 48-week 120 hour certification course in Stress Management Consulting, Direct Suggestion and Ericksonian Hypnotism, NLP, and Mindfulness Meditation.

Dr. Holly Herman has been practicing as a PT for 41 years. She received her Doctorate from MGH Institute of Allied Health and her MS and BS from Boston University. She is a certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Women’s Health Clinical Specialist, Certified Biofeedback Therapist and Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. She is 1 of 2 PT’s in the world certified as a Sexuality Counselor by the American Association for Sexual Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and one of 4 PT’s in the world certified as a Women’s Health Sexuality Fellow by the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). She lectures and presents courses world-wide on Pelvic Floor, Women and Men’s Health, Pregnancy and Postpartum, Orthopedics, Geriatrics and Sexual Medicine as well as maintains a full time private practice in Cambridge, MA. Holly was the co-founder of Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute in 2005 and now she currently conducts her own courses worldwide. Holly is the author of numerous peer reviewed articles, book chapters and is the co-author of the popular book, “How To Raise Children Without Breaking Your Back”. Holly has been a full-time faculty member of the Northeastern University Physical Therapy Department, Clinical Instructor of the Boston University Physical Therapy Clinic and part-time instructor at Simmons. She serves on the Boards of many Foundations that promote Women’s and Men’s Health and is an article reviewer for the Journal of Sexual Medicine, Urologic Nursing and the JOWHPT. She is the recipient of the Elizabeth Noble Award and Saudi Arabian Physical Therapy Association Award.