Changed Lives

I highly recommend Sarton physio for anyone struggling with pelvic pain. I found Sarton physio through online patient forums where many other patients recommended them (because my local PTs were not able to help me). Five years ago I had a rare bladder infection that left me with tissue damage, inflammation, tightness, and scarring in my pelvis resulting in Pudendal Nerve (PN) pain and sitting problems. This has caused ongoing pain and limited my ability to work and function at times. I saw numerous pelvic PTs as recommended by my doctors in Vancouver Canada, but none were particularly knowledgeable or comfortable with PN PT. I had asked for internal and external work as outlined in the “headache in the pelvis” protocol, but was told I did not have trigger points and they were not trained in this area. Finally I decided to work only with experts in PN because it is so rare and I want to reduce pain and get back to working, and I traveled to California to work intensively for 10 days with the Sarton team. The experience was amazing and SO HELPFUL. First of all, the team immediately and easily identified all my internal trigger points.

After a full assessment they adjusted my therapy plan to focus on these, and the director, Julie Sarton, adjusted her busy schedule to accommodate seeing me regularly. At times I had two physios working with me simultaneously to corroborate their assessment. Because of their tremendous experience and knowledge with manual therapy, they could identify the source of the pain, and when things were too much or too little pressure to relieve pain. They combined internal work with external myofascial release, cupping, heat, and body rolling which provided me with many hours of complete pain relief. They added in adjunct therapies such as mindfulness and pain psychoeducation ( Book: why pelvic pain hurts) and helped me to clearly identify ongoing tissue pain, versus referred pain. They also helped me to communicate with PTs in my local area to properly explain what I needed on my return home.

PN issues are rare and this was the first time I was able to feel secure and safe that my provider had more knowledge than me; they were able to educate me on pain and on the pathways of my particular pain so that I felt more empowered, validated, and in control. Leaving Sarton I felt renewed hope, I felt supported and empowered, and more knowledgeable about a treatment plan that will help to reduce my pain over time. They provided me with a full assessment to take back to my PT in Canada as well as a daily self-care protocol to follow to reduce pain. They also continue to follow up with me. In my case, the etiology is muscoloskeletal and it will take ongoing self-care and PT to fully peel away those layers of tightness, but I see regular and increasing positive results that are lasting and hope inspiring. In fact I sat for five hours with no pain after leaving Sarton—I just have to be mindful to not push my limits and to keep up with the protocol to build sustainability in my sitting time. I was truly blown away by the care and expertise of this team. I believe they are the best in North America working on this issue. If you need local or out of town support then I highly recommend the Sarton team. Because PN issues are rare and because there are multiple paths (etiologies) that can lead to the same symptoms, it is important to have a proper physio assessment as part of your care approach. The team at Sarton can tell you if your symptoms will benefit from soft tissue therapies or not, and when you may need to look at other PN approaches. They knowledge of PN extends beyond PT so that they can help identify which path to healing may be most helpful to you. My primary PT at Sarton, also answered all of my psychosocial questions and gave me some input on ways to communicate better with my support network around PN pain. This physio work is very sensitive as well, and I highly commend the team for making me feel safe and comfortable and almost like family during my stay.

…but how does one thank a clinic and therapists that literally saved your life? On April 24, 2012, my husband and I walked in to Sarton Physical Therapy broken. I was broken physically, but my pelvic floor dysfunction had broken our spirit. I had gone a year untreated and misdiagnosed by doctors, chiropractors, and therapists. I distinctly remember walking in to the clinic, standing during the consultation and pacing the room as we discussed what I was going through. It was the first time I was really heard, felt understood, and diagnosed.

After a thorough investigation, my PT confirmed what I feared the most. I likely had Pudendal Neuralgia. I couldn’t sit without pain, any physical activity spasmed my pelvic floor, and I had nervy sensations all throughout my female parts. I felt like I was sitting on a golf ball almost all of the time. The sensations started the moment I opened my eyes and remained until the moment I went to bed. It not only was uncomfortable, it messed with me emotionally. I can remember asking her, “Can I get better?”. She answered, “Yes”. And although I didn’t really believe her at the time, we sprung into action.

Sarton PT navigated my entire healing journey. They got me to the correct Pain Management Doctor (Dr. Frank King), who prescribed medications to calm the nervous system and muscle relaxers for the pelvic floor. They advised me to see Dr. Michael Hibner in Arizona, at that time mostly just to set my heart at ease that we were on the right track. Lastly, we began extensive pelvic floor physical therapy. I drove to Tustin, one hour away from my home, three times a week at its peak for therapy. I didn’t miss an appointment and I followed their advice to a t. It was a full time job. Each time I went, I felt a tiny bit better. I did not see dramatic changes for a long time. In fact, the recovery has been more like a roller coaster. Ups and downs for which I have learned to weather with ease rather than ramp up my emotions and nervous system which likely would cause more pain.

One might ask, “How did this happen?”. At this point, it’s all conjecture. I am a 34 year old female, former triathlete, competitive swimmer, mother of two, and teacher. We believe that my body was probably brewing this perfect storm for some time. I had history of Iliotibial Band problems from running, sacroiliac joint dysfunction likely inherited from my mother, and a long labor with my large headed son. Bam. There you have it.

The good news, though, two years later after countless hours of physical therapy, hours in the gym retraining my core muscles and ridding my body of compensatory measures, and at home treatments, I am 90% recovered. If you go online, read about Pudendal Neuralgia, no one gets better. The doctors at Sarton PT instructed me to get off the forums, blogs, and facebook pages. They were not helping in any way, in fact they would breed anxiety and fear. But, I am living breathing proof that you can recover from Pudendal Neuralgia.

I am still under their care and will continue until I am 100%. Now, I know that I will get there. Without Sarton Physical Theapy, their always calming reassurance and expert manual therapy techniques, I would not be the woman that I am today. Today, I went to the gym, cared for my children, took care of my home, and lived a normal life. I am happy, joyful, and very thankful for her healing hands and the work that Sarton Physical Therapy does.

With the greatest of gratitude,