Pelvic therapy
PELVIC PAIN IS COMMON. TOO COMMON.
Pelvic pain and discomfort are incredibly common: it’s estimated that between 10-20% of women are affected by it. That means that up to 1 in 5 women suffers from problems in the pelvic region. Just let those numbers number sink in for a second…
The pelvis is a very common place to unknowingly store pain, trauma and emotions. And challenges in the pelvis are often more than just physical challenges. Pelvic complaints often involve pain in varying degrees, in the lower belly, perineum, vulva or the pelvic floor itself. If any complaint lasts longer than 6 months, it’s considered chronic. Pelvic pain and other pelvic imbalances can disrupt a woman’s life in many aspects: her physical activity, her sexuality, her sleep, her relationships and often, her physical and mental health as well.
Many women suffer from pelvic pain and other pelvic complaints in silence. Sometimes they believe that nobody can help them, they’ve heard that it is ‘normal’ to experience pelvic complaints with ageing or after childbirth, or they carry so much shame around it that they don’t dare to speak up and seek support.
For whoever does seek help, options are limited: pelvic complaints are often addressed from a strictly medical or a strictly sexological perspective, with very little in between. The answer to this gap is Integral Pelvic Therapy® or IPT.
WHEN CAN IPT HELP?
In many cases cases Integral Pelvic Therapy (IPT) can help. IPT is a complementary health care modality that offers a holistic approach to women’s pelvic health and seeks to bring balance to the pelvis. IPT helps with:
Pain during sex
Lack of sensitivity or numbness in the pelvis and vagina
Lack of sexual interest (while you are not asexual)
Sexual or medical trauma stored in the pelvis
Incontinence and unexplained bladder pain
Intense PMS
Very painful periods
Pain and discomfort from prolapse
Vaginismus and vulvodynia
Vestibulodynia
Scar tissue from giving birth (natural or C-section)
Other unexplained pelvic pain and pain in the tailbone and lower back
INTEGRAL PELVIC THERAPY IN A NUTSHELL
Complementary therapy
IPT is a complementary therapy which applies external and internal fascia release techniques to restore balance in the pelvis. It is suitable for every woman with pelvic complaints, such as intense PMS or painful menstruation, pain during sex, several types of postpartum complaints and traumatic experiences.
An IPT treatment brings deep relaxation in the entire pelvis and body and generates a deeper connection that feels like ‘coming home’ into yourself. It reduces a variety of physical complaints and can even bring a more pleasurable sensitivity for many women, which can result in better sexual experiences.
IPT addresses multiple layers of pelvic issues
Integral Pelvic Therapy works on different layers, addressing the physical, mental, emotional and energetic layers that are underlying the complaint. This integral approach is needed to reestablish balance in the pelvic floor, and brings out the body’s natural healing capacity in the pelvis.
As an IPT practitioner, I not only look at the physical complaints or symptoms you are coming for (the physical layer). We also discuss and address other aspects of your life which are out of balance, emotions and feelings that are stored inside the body, and unprocessed life events and/or trauma that may still be impacting your system (the mental, emotional and energetic layers).
IPT tools and techniques
Tools and techniques used during IPT systems correspond with these different layers. Physically I will apply gentle and precise trigger point release techniques on the pelvic muscles and fascia, both internally and externally. Other tension patterns are tracked and addressed, so that sensitivity can return and the natural balance of the pelvis can resurface. During a session, I may also guide you through breathing and visualization techniques to support the process. Emotions, feelings and unprocessed events are brought to the surface, welcomed, processed and eventually released.
RESULTS WITH IPT
An IPT treatment takes 2 hours – in our times of highly rushed medical care this is an absolutely luxury for most women to experience. You’ll be invited to slow down, unwind, relax and fully land in your body.
Many women report significantly reduced, improved or even absence of symptoms after an IPT trajectory.
It’s also common to experience more vitality, more energy, deep relaxation and an increased ability to experience more sexual pleasure.
Women also report feeling more grounded and much more connected to their bodies after IPT.
Because in our sessions we practice with embodied consent (your boundaries, your yes, your no and your maybe’s), many women also report they experience greater ease at noticing and setting their boundaries throughout their daily life.
IPT TREATMENT TRAJECTORY: AN OVERVIEW
Our first contact: a free exploration call
If you feel Integral Pelvic Therapy can be useful for you, you can get in touch with me for a brief exploration call that is free of charge. After this call, I will send you a detailed intake form, which you fill out before the next step: our 1-hour intake.
Getting started: the 1-hour intake
The process then starts with a 1-hour intake which is done either face to face or online via Zoom. During this hour, we will have a detailed conversation about your reasons to choose IPT treatment and we will go through your relevant medical history.
We will dive into the origins of your pelvic issues and how you have dealt with the situation so far. During the intake, I’ll explain how an IPT treatment goes and we’ll take plenty of time to answer any questions you may have. Based on this conversation, it will be possible to assess whether IPT is a good option for you. If IPT is not the right step, I am likely able to refer you to another practitioner or specialist.
I know it can feel very vulnerable to share openly about your issues, even more so if you’ve dealt with them already for a long time. Please know that everything you bring to this conversation is welcome, including tears and frustration.
THE TREATMENTS: SEVERAL 2-HOUR IPT SESSIONS
Slowing down and presence are key ingredients in IPT: they will help you to remain mindful and aware of what is happening inside your body at all times. This is why an IPT session takes 2 hours. The female body and especially the pelvis do not benefit from being rushed. So we will take time for you to ‘land’ in the session, leave your to-do-list behind for a moment and to help you connect to your body and feelings.
I will identify patterns of tension in your pelvis, by gently applying touch to your pelvic area. Touch is brought externally (on the outside of the pelvis) and can also be applied internally (vaginal). Depending on what is encountered and needed, I may apply fascia release techniques, guide you through breathing, sounding and visualization processes, support you with emotional release work, or any combination of these elements.
It’s important to note that internal (vaginal) work is never a ‘must’ or a mandatory ingredient for a successful IPT session. In IPT we work with ’embodied consent’, which means that we only work with any of these elements if and when all of your mind, heart and body are ready to receive them. I will encourage you to slow down at all times, and you determine the pace and the steps we will take. This in itself is often already very empowering and healing for many women.
No single IPT session is the same. Every session is completely tailored to you and your body. As we work with embodied consent, also the tools and techniques used per session may differ.
AFTER IPT: OPTIONS FOR FURTHER SOMATIC WORK OR DEEP TRAUMA HEALING
IPT alone may be sufficient for you to release your pelvis issues, restore balance and feel much more connected to your pelvis and body.
For some women, part of their long-term pelvic imbalances may be the result of long-held behavioral patterns, emotional blockages and long-term trauma which may require further attention to be fully integrated. If this is the case for you, it is possible to continue our work with body oriented coaching or trauma therapy (Somatic Experiencing) after IPT.
I will never try to sell you any additional work with me. Your body will know exactly what it needs and wants, and you can trust your body completely.
GOT questions, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPERIENCE IPT FOR YOURSELF?
Feel free to send me a whatsapp message on +316 44 538 202 of send me a message via the contact form below.
I’ll get back to you as soon as I possibly can. If you write me, please check your SPAM folder so that my reply doesn’t get lost.