Join Georgie Kovacs and physical therapist Alyson Lowrey as they discuss the link between hypermobility and chronic pelvic pain. Learn how to recognize symptoms, manage pelvic floor dysfunction, and advocate for better health care. Perfect for women looking for answers and clinicians aiming to provide better patient support.

Pelvic Pain & Hypermobility Episode Summary

In this episode of the Fempower Health podcast, Georgie Kovacs sits down with Alyson Lowrey, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with over 10 years of experience. Alyson shares her personal journey with hypermobility and chronic pelvic pain, as well as her professional expertise in treating women facing these often misunderstood conditions. Together, they dive deep into how hypermobility can affect the pelvic floor, the complexities of diagnosing and treating pelvic pain, and practical strategies to help women take control of their health. Whether you're experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, hypermobility, or just looking for answers, this episode offers a wealth of valuable insights.

Key Discussion Points:

• What is hypermobility, and how does it affect the pelvic floor?
• How can women recognize signs of hypermobility in their bodies?
• Why is hypermobility linked to chronic pelvic pain?
• What is the connection between hypermobility and digestive issues like IBS?
• How can pelvic floor dysfunction lead to incontinence, sexual pain, or other complications?
• What exercises are most beneficial for managing hypermobility and pelvic pain?
• How can a physical therapist help with chronic pelvic pain management?
• How does pregnancy and childbirth impact hypermobility and pelvic floor health?
• What role do clinicians play in diagnosing hypermobility and pelvic pain?
• How can women advocate for themselves in the healthcare system when dealing with complex conditions like hypermobility?

“Hypermobility is more than just flexibility—it impacts the pelvic floor, digestion, and even how your body processes pain.” - Alyson Lowrey

Related to this Pelvic Pain & Hypermobility episode:

• Follow Alyson Lowrey on LinkedIn.
• Check out Fempower Health’s resources on pelvic health.

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Fempower Health Guest Bio

Dr. Alyson Lowrey attained a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of New Mexico. Following graduation she immediately completed HonorHealth’s Orthopaedic Residency program and became a board-certified orthopedic specialist (OCS). She is now the director of that residency program and lectures about pain and pelvic dysfunction in the curriculum. Her passion for progressing the profession of physical therapy is continued through clinical education and at Creighton and Midwestern University’s physical therapy programs as adjunct faculty. She has also co-authored and co-teaches “Pain Science for the Chronic Pelvic Pain Population” through Herman and Wallace. 

Her clinical population is primarily orthopedic with a large subset of patients experiencing chronic pain, patients with pelvic pain, and patients with hypermobility.  Alyson treats the pelvic floor patient population through an orthopedic approach, working closely with pelvic floor specialists in the same clinic. This allows for a holistic style addressing the entire patient from a functional perspective, and allowing each clinician’s expertise to coincide.  

Disclaimer

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor. Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**