HealthLinks Upstate July/August 2022

34 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com A mother of three, Dr. Ashlee De Nooy, PT, DPT, didn’t always want to focus on women’s health. When she first shadowed a pelvic floor physical therapist in 2009, she swore she would never do that. “I didn’t have kids,” she said. “I didn’t see how much of an impact it made on women’s lives.” After taking a continuing education course about pregnancy and postpartum care, she discovered that some of the problems she experienced during and after pregnancy could have been prevented. She was hooked on pursuing core and pelvic floor physical therapy. “I just wanted to share that with as many women as I could,” she said. She started out as a mobile therapist, bringing her knowledge and experience to women in their homes. After taking some time off following the birth of her third child, Dr. De Nooy opened an office for her practice – Body Works Women’s Health & Wellness in Greer. Now, just over two years later, she oversees a staff of three female therapists and offers a full range of therapies and treatments for women in the Upstate. “Body Works specializes in helping women be fit, active and pain free through total body health and wholeness,” explained Dr. De Nooy. “We specialize in helping women with anything from low back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain, pain with sexual activities, pelvic organ prolapse, stress and urge incontinence, diastasis rectus abdominis, pregnancy and postpartum.” Knowing what she knows, Dr. De Nooy said, “I wish anytime someone has a baby, they are automatically referred to a pelvic floor physical therapist.” Even starting during pregnancy, as early as 12 weeks – or earlier for those who are having symptoms or issues – women should make an appointment with a pelvic floor physical therapist to prepare for labor and delivery. “I wish I would have known about this because I had no idea how to push a baby out,” said Dr. De Nooy. “Now we have a program called Birth Ready to get a baseline and to stay feeling good. We cover everything from labor and delivery positions, how to prepare your body for delivery and how to push the right way.” Their Fit After Baby program is for women after they’ve had their baby, either vaginally or cesarean. “It’s truly a game changer for recovery,” said Dr. De Nooy. “Every woman should be referred to a PFPT even if mama is feeling great.” Even if you haven't had a baby, you can still have pelvic floor dysfunctions, explained Dr. De Nooy. “We see women of all ages,” she said. “When we're working with a woman, we are looking at their whole body. We don't just assess how their pelvic floor is functioning. We look at how they move, how they breathe and how their abdomen is moving.” Other programs Body Works offers include clinical Pilates, a low-impact exercise performed on a reformer that promotes overall strength, core stability and flexibility. Each semiprivate session consists of up to three students. Body Works also uses Real Time Ultrasound, which allows therapists and patients to see the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in real time. “We have a wonderful, diverse team that truly cares about each patient,” said Dr. De Nooy. “This is a safe space. Very welcoming.” All programs are individualized for each woman and each condition. “We help them go from having an issue to solving their problem to changing their life,” said Dr. De Nooy. For more information, visit bodyworks-physicaltherapy.com. HELPING WOMEN LIVE FIT AND PAIN FREE MEN WI N HEALTH By Christine Steele Left to right: Kelley Murray, PT; Danielle Moore; Dr. Elizabeth Eldridge, PT, DPT; Dr. Ashlee De Nooy, PT, DPT; Ingrid Roman; Dr. Lydia Glass, PT, DPT. Photo by Carin Scates Photography.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1