Pelvic Floor Specialist in Toronto

[ajama484]

Good news for anyone living in Toronto or in the general region, I found a physiotherapist that specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction! Her name is Nelly Faghani and she works in the complete physiotherapy clinic located at Richmond Hill. I have an appointment for an assessment next month so I'm crossing my fingers.

edit- oh and she does internal stuff, you just have to get a form signed by your doctor to allow her to do it.

[Howden]

ajama; This one could be a breakthrough for Toronto guys. Please let us know how you get along and keep us up to date.

[scotcan]

ajama,

This is good to hear, if you would be so kind as to keep us updated with how it goes that would be great!

I'm in the GTA and am just about to start accupuncture therapy to see if that helps me. I've tried everything else, seen 3 urologists, took many antibiotics and had a course of nerve block injections - none have helped! I've had this for two and a half years now and feel this may be the answer.

Look forward to your update

[Canuck]

Good news for anyone living in Toronto or in the general region.

Actually, there is another person in the area (with more experience), but she is in Cambridge. She is a licensed physiotherapist, and also needs a referral from your doc. I have seen her for one visit. She is extremely knowledgeable. Her contact info is: Carolyn Vandyken - (519) 624-8798

The person you mentioned is closer to the GTA though.

[scotcan]

Thanks for that information canuck

How did you feel after your visit? Was it just a consultation or did she do any work on you? Does she do internal work as well?

Also if you don't mind me asking what are her costs?

Thanks in advance

[Canuck]

Thanks for that information canuck

How did you feel after your visit? Was it just a consultation or did she do any work on you? Does she do internal work as well?

Also if you don't mind me asking what are her costs?

Thanks in advance

Well, my symptoms have improved to about 90% or better anyway, but I had the appointment and went. It was a long intake/consultation. She is very familiar with Dr. Wise's treatment protocol, etc. She does both external and internal myofascial trigerpoint release. I had both. My symptoms actual increased the day after. Not sure what others experience with this has been. The cost was $85/hr. I am seeing her again next week, and every other week there after (if needed). She also teaches you how to do it yourself... to a degree (some places are just too difficult to reach.

[scotcan]

Thanks for replying Canuck, I think I'll look into this a bit further - It might be worth the trip out to see her!

All the best for the rest of your treatment and I hope it works for you, keep us posted

[scotcan]

I contacted both Nelly Faghani and Carolyn Vandyken, but wasn't able to speak to eith in person.

I spoke to Nelly's brother (who is also a PT) and he contacted her and called me back. He said she was experienced with pelvic floor trigger point release and was familiar with the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol. She also informed him it had to be done in conjunction with relaxation techniques and recommended the Headache in the Pelvis book for information on how to do this. She also said there were only two people in Ontario who were experienced in this, and named Carolyn Vandyken as the other. Also you need a doctor's line to get any internal work done in Ontario, by a PT, as it's the law here.

I spoke with someone at Carolyn Vandyken's clinic and she said she was experienced and familiar with this type of work, and she had had formal training (But she didn't say whether she went to Stanford to get it or not). She said that Carolyn would teach you how to treat yourself and the expected course of action would be over about 8 visits, starting off every two weeks and then three then four.

I made an appointment with Carolyn Vandyken, as she is a little closer to where I stay, but the earlies I could get was March 30th! She said she was booked solid and was now booking for April and beyond. So if anyone wants to make an appointment I'd call just now!!

[Canuck]

So if anyone wants to make an appointment I'd call just now!!

I just had my second appointment with Carolyn, and she really is amazing. She found a couple of trigger points internally, near the front. She also confirmed my theory that I probably brought this on myself, by unconsciously repressing stress and rage. The brain is an AMAZING thing. The body just does what the mind tells it to do.

Get in to see her and do the homework, BUT, do not neglect the mindful part.

[scotcan]

Canuck wrote:
She also confirmed my theory that I probably brought this on myself, by unconsciously repressing stress and rage

Canuck,

The more I read about this the more I am convinced this is the case also! I constantly catch myself tensing up my abdominal, pelvic & gluteal muscles and I am trying to consciously avoid doing this now. I also find myself holding my breath, which in turn leads to me tensing muscles, so I am trying to regulate my breathing so as to avoid this. I've just got my copy of HITP and have started reading it, so hopefully I'll learn more about this in the next couple of weeks, and in doing so learn how to relax my muscles more.

That's good news that you are having some success with Carolyn Vandyken, I hope your recovery continues. I can't wait to get into see her myself!

All the best!

[scotcan]

I just had my first appointment with Carolyn and she certainly knew what she was talking about. Although she has not trained at Stanford she is a pelvic floor specialist and has various certificates which show her history of training in this field. She has also studied the Wise-Anderson Protocol and has read all the revisions of the book. I had the book with me and she recognised it straight away!

She didn't do any internal work on me because I had too many external trigger points, mainly in my abdomen, and said I will need to reduce these before she checks inside. She showed me exactly where they were and how to work on them. She also showed me some massage techniques to help with the TP's and bowel movements.

She was very reassuring and was open to any comments and also spent the entire hour working on me. I go back in 2 weeks and I'm very optimistic that she can help me.

[oz811]

I know this is kind of an old topic.


but how have the results been with these two? (I live in southern ontario)

[scotcan]

I've seen an improvement but still have some issues, but like many people on here have said there is no quick fix. I think I'm on the right road and have proved that what I have is a muscular problem, in fact I feel worse when I go a few days without excercising, stretching or doing relaxation techniques! I currently feel better than I have since I first experienced pain - But not pain free, hopefully that will come with time and a little hard work!

I'd thoroughly recommend making an appointmet to see Carolyn. She will be honest with you and tell you if she feels she can help, and she is also flexible with her hours so it doesn't interfere too much with your work (I've even had an appointment at 6am, so I could get to work on time!)

Hope this helps

[crazyjo]

I found a RMT at Mt. Sinai that specializes in pelvic pain - her name is Cathy Fournier. Has anybody seen her? She mentioned Carolyn in Cambridge, does internal work.

I've had CP for a couple of years, but only recently diagnosed myself. Wondering if you guys have any suggestions of people to see in Toronto?

[webslave]

Cathy Fournier. Has anybody seen her?

See viewtopic.php?f=37&t=6232&p=35116#p35116