The pelvic floor is a sling of skeletal muscle that spans from the pubic bone to the tailbone, forming the base of the pelvis. The pelvic floor has several functions including bowel and bladder regulation, pelvic organ support, stabilization and sexual function.

Just like any of the skeletal muscle tissue in the body, the pelvic floor can become dysfunctional and may be weak or tight. Pelvic floor dysfunction may cause a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to: urinary incontinence, urinary urgency/frequency, urinary hesitancy/incomplete bladder emptying, pain with voiding, chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissure, fecal incontinence, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic girdle pain, pain associated with endometriosis, nerve pain (including pudendal neuralgia), vulvodynia, vaginismus, lower abdominal pain, testicular pain, rectal pain and tailbone (coccyx) pain. Pelvic floor dysfunction can develop insidiously or may result from trauma (e.g. childbirth, surgery or injury).

Pelvic floor physical therapy will assess the function of the pelvic floor muscle - how it contracts, relaxes and coordinates with your other muscles (e.g. breathing, bracing and bearing down). Pelvic floor physical therapy will help to restore appropriate length, neuromuscular control and function of the pelvic floor muscle in order to eliminate symptoms.

Pelvic floor physical therapy will address the entire body, as pelvic floor dysfunction rarely occurs exclusively. It’s likely that another part of the body is contributing to and perpetuating pelvic floor dysfunction. For instance, pelvic floor dysfunction is often associated with low back pain. Pelvic floor physical therapy may be the missing link if you are dealing with persistent lumbopelvic or hip pain. For example, pelvic floor physical therapy is often indicated in the rehabilitation of hip labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement, as pelvic floor dysfunction is frequently a contributing factor that goes untreated and inhibits full healing.

We provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of a variety of sports and orthopedic conditions, including, but not limited to: neck and back pain, pelvic girdle and SI joint pain, hip pain, Achilles tendinopathy, knee pain, ITB syndrome, shoulder pain and elbow pain. Evaluation consists of strength testing, range of motion testing, and functional movement screening, to help diagnose your injury and give you the road map to healing that injury. We believe in holistic and evidenced- based treatments, including manual therapy, dry needling, joint mobilization/manipulation, soft-tissue mobilization, exercise therapy, and other modalities. Our biggest goal is to determine the underlying cause of your pain/dysfunction and to give you the tools for healing, so that you can get back to living your most functional and fit lifestyle!

Neurological physical therapy is an umbrella term for specialized physical therapy that emphasizes treating the brain, spinal cord, and all neural structures. From progressive neurologic disorders to vestibular or autonomic disorders, neurologic physical therapy can help you reach your goals and gain independence.
For specific questions about whether neurological PT is appropriate for you, email Dr. Lina Kleinschmidt at lina@aptophysicaltherapy.com

Focused Shock Wave Therapy or Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) is a non-invasive treatment method that uses acoustic waves to target and stimulate tissues deep within the body. It is commonly used in musculoskeletal conditions, pain management, and rehabilitation.

The therapy involves delivering high-energy sound waves to specific areas of pain or injury. These waves are focused on the target tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, to promote healing, reduce pain, and improve mobility. The energy from the shockwaves helps increase blood circulation, break down calcified tissue, and stimulate the production of collagen, which supports tissue repair.

Focused Shock Wave Therapy is used to treat conditions such as:

Chronic tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, tennis elbow)
Plantar fasciitis
Calcific shoulder tendinopathy
Myofascial pain syndromes
Trigger points
Soft tissue injuries

The procedure is typically quick, with patients experiencing minimal discomfort during treatment. Post-treatment, many individuals report reduced pain and enhanced function, making Focused Shock Wave Therapy a popular option for those seeking an alternative to surgery or invasive treatments.

Unlike traditional shockwave therapy, which delivers waves over a wider area, Focused Shock Wave Therapy directs energy precisely to the target, enabling deeper penetration and more effective treatment of specific problem areas.

At Apto Physical Therapy we believe body function and health are dependent upon appropriate nutrition and lifestyle factors. Your provider will take a functional approach to improving your health by looking for root causes and considering how food and lifestyle is affecting the physiology of your body systems.

Functional medicine is an approach to nutrition that focuses on the relationship between diet, lifestyle and overall health, with an emphasis on addressing the underlying causes of imbalances or health issues. Functional medicine recognizes that each person is unique, and nutrition plays a pivotal role in optimizing one's well-being.

Unlike conventional nutrition, which often focuses on individual nutrients or macronutrients, functional nutrition takes a more comprehensive and holistic view. It considers factors such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, and personal health history to develop personalized nutrition plans.

Your provider will aim to identify and address imbalances within your body that may contribute to health problems. They view the body as an interconnected system, with various organs and systems influencing each other's function. For example, they may consider the impact of gut health on immune function, hormonal balance, and inflammation.

The process of functional medicine coaching involves a thorough assessment of your health history, current symptoms, dietary habits, and lifestyle factors. This information is used to identify potential root causes of health issues, rather than merely treating symptoms. Functional medicine providers often use tools like detailed questionnaires, functional laboratory tests, and specialized assessments to gain deeper insights into your unique biochemistry and physiology.

Based on the assessment findings, a personalized nutrition plan and health protocol is developed. This plan may include specific dietary recommendations, such as emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods and minimizing processed foods, while considering individual dietary preferences and restrictions. It may also involve targeted nutrient supplementation, lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, and other interventions tailored to your needs.

The goal of functional medicine is to optimize the body's natural healing mechanisms, support proper nutrient absorption and utilization, and restore balance within the body. By addressing underlying imbalances and deficiencies, functional medicine aims to promote overall health, prevent chronic diseases, and improve specific health conditions.

It's worth noting that functional medicine coaching is a complementary approach that can work alongside conventional medical treatments. It does not replace medical interventions but rather seeks to enhance overall health and well-being through a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and its impact on the body's functioning.

*Please note that we do not diagnose or treat illness.

The abdominal organs (or “viscera”) are tightly housed within our abdominal cavity and must be able to slide and move against one another in order to function appropriately. The movement of our viscera can be affected by physical trauma, surgery, stress, postural changes, diet and illness. When visceral motion is impaired people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms (indigestion, nutrient deficiency/malabsorption of nutrients, constipation), incontinence, abdominal pain, uterine pain, ovarian pain, and even musculoskeletal pain. Pelvic organ prolapse (e.g. bladder prolapse, uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse) can also be addressed with visceral mobilization techniques. Visceral manipulation is a gentle modality that addresses movement restrictions of the viscera in order to restore function of the organs.