Supporting Gender Affirming Surgery for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists
This one is for the pelvic floor physical therapists out there, whether you have experience working with folks preparing for and recovering from gender affirming surgery or are new to working with folks pre or postoperatively.
Pelvic floor physical therapists can play a major role in supporting a patient who receives a gender affirming surgery, whether it’s phalloplasty, vaginoplasty or top surgery. Pre and postoperative pelvic health care can include addressing muscular impairments prior to surgery, early mobilization and wound care following surgery, and addressing any bladder, bowel or sexual issues that occur before or after any procedure.
In this webinar, Jessica Chastka PT, DPT, WCS and Sha'Rose Erion PT, DPT of Rose Pelvic Physiotherapy discussing:
What role does a pelvic floor PT play in the care team prior to surgery?
How early do you start working with a patient after surgery?
What are typical assessments and interventions for top and bottom surgery?
Does everyone need pelvic floor physical therapy after bottom surgery or does it matter what type of surgery it is?
Dr. Sha’Rose is a wealth of information and we’re so lucky to have had the chance to speak with her. Learn more about Rose Pelvic Physiotherapy and Sha’Rose here and if you have questions about seeking pre or postoperative care in Austin, you can reach out to Jessica directly via email at jessica@ladybirdpt.com.
By Dr. Jessica Chastka, PT, DPT, WCS
Jessica (she/her) earned her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, while playing softball. She received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in August 2015. In 2019 she became Board Certified in Women’s Health, through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.
For the last five years she has been working as a pelvic floor physical therapist, treating people who have pelvic pain, leakage, urgency, frequency and constipation. This includes the pregnant and postpartum population as well as people with chronic pain. She is passionate about making her patients feel heard and seen, validating those who feel that their problems are not worth mentioning because everyone has them or because embarrassed to talk about them.