Elizabeth Ryan, LMT

Massage & Bodywork for the pelvic floor

Manual therapy for the pelvic floor may be helpful for:

• pelvic, back, or hip pain

• soft tissue-related incontinence and prolapse

• menstrual cramping

• pelvic congestion

• supporting tissue health in perimenopause and menopause

• hysterectomy recovery

• developing or restoring pelvic awareness and healthy muscle tone

Pelvic floor bodywork is available in pregnancy from week 22 on, and can help by:

• making space for optimal fetal positioning by reducing soft tissue restrictions in the pelvis; optimally positioned babies have more straightforward births, with less need for intervention/augmentation

• reducing negative associations from past childbirth and other clinical or otherwise negative touch experiences

• increasing familiarity with sensations of stretching for labor preparation, reducing risk or severity of tearing and episiotomy

Pelvic floor bodywork can help during the postpartum period (at least 6 weeks after birth - you must have been cleared for intercourse by your doctor, midwife, or other clinician) with:

• c-section recovery

• scar tissue management of laceration or episiotomy sites

• diastasis recti (a separation of the muscles of the abdomen)

• identifying and reducing prolapse

• bladder issues like urgency, frequency, and incontinence

• recovering healthy muscle tone after long hours of pushing and stretching

Sessions are minimum of 2 hours and may be up to 2.5 hours long, up to 30 minutes of which will be internal work. Clients fill out intake paperwork ahead of time and give it to me at the start of our session. There is also a consent form that is provided when you arrive and must be completed before the session starts. At least the first 30 minutes of the session is spent talking about your story and your goals. Sessions include massage and bodywork for the head, neck, shoulders, back, belly, thighs, and feet in addition to internal work. Please contact me with any questions about internal pelvic floor massage therapy not answered in the FAQ below.

FAQs

What are the requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist to do this work in Oregon?

Per OAR 334-010-0029, internal cavity massage using universal precautions for communicable disease control is permitted by LMTs able to

• present evidence of specialized supervised training

• communicate a valid therapeutic rationale for this treatment which is acknowledged by the client

• obtain written and verbal consent from the client

• offer the client the choice between having a witness present or not

• use appropriate draping techniques at all times

No person under the age of 18 may receive intra-vaginal or intra-anal manual therapy from a Licensed Massage Therapist in Oregon; please see a Physical Therapist trained in pelvic floor therapy instead.

I have an IUD. Can I receive internal pelvic floor therapy?

Yes! Be sure you let me know in advance on your intake paperwork so we can talk about it before your session.

I have a mesh. Can I receive internal pelvic floor therapy?

If you have had your mesh for at least one year, and have not experienced any problems with the mesh, yes, you can receive internal pelvic floor massage therapy. If you are having problems with your mesh, please talk to your doctor.

I’m at the bleeding part of my menstrual cycle. Can I receive internal pelvic floor therapy?

Yes! However, if you are having very heavy flow along with painful cramping, it may be more comfortable for you to wait until the cramping has subsided before receiving internal manual therapy. I also suggest that people with endometriosis, hypermobility/connective tissue conditions, or mast cell disorders wait until their bleeding is over or nearly over.

I am an abuse/trauma survivor. Is this work right for me?

It depends. This work can “stir the pot,” bringing up sensations, memories, and experiences, so it’s really important that abuse and trauma survivors are also working with a qualified mental health professional in tandem with receiving internal pelvic floor manual therapy. This includes people with experiences of birth trauma and MST (military sexual trauma). With appropriate support, this work can be valuable in healing from abuse and reclaiming your body as a place of joy and comfort.

I have herpes. Can I receive internal pelvic floor therapy?

Yes! However, if you are experiencing an active outbreak, we should wait until it has subsided to avoid aggravating inflamed tissues.

Pricing

One 120-150 minute initial session plus one 90 minute follow up session - $325

One standalone session (120-150 minutes) - $200

Veterans, TGD folks, and intersex folks are eligible for a sliding scale rate.

You can request an appointment by phone/text at (503)558-6160 or by email at elizabeth.ryan.LMT@gmail.com. Online booking is not available for this service.