While many women and men have health issues related to their pelvic areas, it’s not something that’s openly discussed. It’s often embarrassing to bring up even with our closest friends, and many times, doctors aren’t even aware of their patients’ plights.
“Patients go to doctors, whether it’s for a yearly appointment, or their six-week postpartum checkup, and are asked how everything is going,” says Stacey Futterman Tauriello, a physical therapist who concentrates on the pelvic area. “Most people assume that what they’re experiencing is part of aging or postpartum.”
When she gave birth to Lexi in 2017, she learned firsthand what her patients were going through. “It gave me a lot more empathy for my patients and really helped me be a better therapist.” Stacey did a Motherhood series on the Today Show where she talked about her struggles first with fertility and then with urinary incontinence and other childbirth-related issues.
At her two 5 Point Physical Therapy and Wellness Centers in New York City and Millburn, patients are treated for everything relating to the pelvis. “We focus on things such as urinary incontinence, frequency and urgency - anything related to the bladder, plus anything related to the bowel, including bowel dysfunction, and pain during physical intimacy, prenatal and postpartum issues, and pre- and post-menopausal symptoms. Also, about 30 to 40% of our patient population is male.”
Physical therapists, says Stacey, don’t receive a lot of education in school on pelvic health. “I'm a senior instructor for Herman and Wallace [Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute] and educate physical therapists, occupational therapists - anyone who is licensed to touch – on how to assess and treat pelvic dysfunction.”
Being a boutique practice allows her and the other therapists to spend 45 minutes to an hour with patients each session. “Supporting women, especially during the prenatal and postpartum periods, is one of my passions because women don't get the care they need during pregnancy or postpartum as well as they could.”
In November of last year, the Millburn location, which has been renovated with a fresh, clean, modern feel, expanded its services to include a new treatment program for oncology and breast cancer patients. “We hired Karen Vozzella, a Sloan Kettering oncology-trained physical therapist who is certified in lymphedema therapy. She’s passionate about what she does.”
Stacey is so happy to be able to include this service since many places that provide these treatments have a waiting list and cannot see patients as often as needed. “They need to be seen twice a week, for say three or four weeks, and because they don't have any availability, patients get seen only once a week.” She said the feedback has been excellent and physicians are excited to be sending patients to 5 Point.
She and her team of physical therapists, which also includes Stephanie White, Jennifer Lynch, and Jessica Nielson, as well as acupuncturists Leah Kim and Jason Neff, work together to help clients live better lives. At her Wellness center in NYC, there are Pilates instructors, estheticians, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and physical therapists. The Millburn location also hopes to add massage therapy soon.
To get help for any pelvic or lymphedema issues you may be experiencing, go to 5PointPT.com. Patients can also schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
“We hired Karen Vozzella, a Sloan Kettering-oncology trained physical therapist who is certified in lymphedema therapy.”
