What’s The Pelvic Floor Got To Do With It? The Intersection of Eating Disorders & Pelvic Health
Individuals in eating disorder recovery often experience gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, in tandem with GI distress, pelvic pain/dysfunction may be present, and all can become a hindrance to progress. Seeking out treatment from a knowledgeable, HAES-aligned, pelvic health rehabilitation specialist can not only offer validation for normalcy of symptoms but provide treatment that aligns with the goals of recovery along with alleviation of symptoms.
Brief Outline:
- Anatomy & physiology of the pelvic floor
- How eating disorders can impact the pelvic floor
- How to screen for suspected pelvic health dysfunction
- How to refer to an appropriate provider for pelvic health dysfunction
Bio:
Dr. Michelle is one of the few eating disorder sensitive and informed physical therapists. She has been providing physical therapy care to individuals with eating disorders for the last 15 years and has woven pelvic health intervention into her practice for the last 5 years. Strength Within Physical Therapy & Wellness, Dr. Michelle’s private practice located in Denver, Colorado, is where she blends her background as a yoga/fitness instructor with her physical therapy skills for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and education to encourage clients to participate in movement and “healthy” reconnection with the body. Throughout her career, Dr. Michelle has advocated for physical therapy to be a recognized profession in the field of eating disorders and, in February 2020, became the first physical therapist to become a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) through iaedp™. Several months later she obtained the Certified Eating Disorders Specialist Approved Supervisor (CEDS-S) designation. In her free time, she enjoys reading and learning ALL the things, dancing and listening to great music, exploring the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and chasing after her 2 kiddos who are just growing up way too fast!
