Terri Sullivan Physical Therapy

04/25/2026

It’s important to know the difference between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain typically responds well to ice and rest and the recovery time is about 4-6 weeks. Pain that persists longer than 6 weeks becomes chronic, which is more difficult to treat and takes a longer time to respond to treatment. In any event, seeing a physical therapist who is musculoskeletal specialist is the best way to reduce your pain and improve your function. Do you have questions? I’d love to help!
253-649-4095

04/22/2026

I see many patients who have issues with digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Sometimes injury, surgery, stress, or infections can result in limitation in the mobility of the fascia around organs and tissues. Visceral mobilization is a gentle treatment where the therapist helps with the mobility of that fascia to help decrease pain and improve function. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095.

04/22/2026

Hormonal changes are a part of life and can impact the pelvic floor muscles and tissues. Estrogen levels can go up and down depending on stress, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and postmenopause. The symptoms can include vaginal dryness, pelvic pain, pelvic floor muscle weakness and tightness, and urinary leakage. A pelvic floor physical therapist can help you with your muscle function, so that the symptoms can be managed on your own. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095

04/17/2026

Your pelvic floor muscles are one of the components of the core and we need our core muscles to help us with so many things during function. Pelvic weakness, tightness or dysfunction can result in urinary incontinence, pelvic pain or prolapse, and issues during pregnancy or postpartum. If you have any of the above issues, working with a pelvic floor physical therapist can help with reconnecting with those muscles, so can have decreased symptoms during activity. Do you have questions? I'd love to help!
253-649-4095

04/15/2026

You pelvic floor still needs to be moving during pregnancy. Working on small contractions will help keep it active and strong. Breathing into the belly and pelvic floor will help the muscles relax and during an exhale, recruit your abdominals to help prepare the muscles for birth. Getting up and walking or exercising will help keep the pelvic floor muscles strong for function. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095

04/14/2026

On your 1st visit, I perform an evaluation of your condition and create a plan that is based on my findings with the intention of reaching your functional goals. I will always give homework at the end of the session and provide time for you to ask questions. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095

04/11/2026

Pelvic floor therapy is not only for women. I see a significant number of men who are dealing with pelvic pain, weakness after treatment or removal of their prostate, urinary leakage or urge, and pain or dysfunction with s*x. The men I have treated have noticed significant improvements in their function and less pain in their pelvis. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095

04/10/2026

Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095

04/06/2026

As you're starting on your healing journey, don't forget to acknowledge the small improvements in your function. It takes baby steps and sometimes there are set backs, but the accomplishments you make should not be neglected. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095

04/05/2026

04/03/2026

Hearing the diagnosis of a prolapse can often seem like a scary and irreversible situation. The severity and the number of organs involved can determine what types of intervention will work the best. In most cases, pelvic floor physical therapy can help reverse the symptoms and dysfunction and help a patient know how to avoid worsening a prolapse. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095.

04/01/2026

When someone has a vaginal birth, their pelvic floor muscles stretch 2-3x their normal resting length. Due to that pronounced stress on the muscles, leakage of urine is very common for the 1st few weeks after birth, but absolutely not permanent. If you are still having leakage after 4-6 weeks, it would be a good idea to see a pelvic health physical therapist to help address your incontinence and work on building back your strength. Do you have questions? I'd love to help! 253-649-4095