Talking about sex was not something that 60-year-old Cindy* was typically comfortable with.  In the dating world again after a long absence, she found herself in a long-term relationship with a patient and caring partner. Wanting to become more intimate with her partner, she was willing to put her nervousness aside and seek help.

As someone with a history of mental and physical challenges with sex, she was nervous about pelvic floor PT in general but also to work with a provider who was significantly younger than she was.

“My first concern was that I am so much older than Ashley,” she admits. “But I found out that she is so mature and so good at what she does. She makes it so easy to talk and ask questions. She told me ‘You can’t say anything I haven’t heard before!’ I was so surprised – it wasn’t awkward at all!

Cindy has had a long history of health issues. Since she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her thirties, she has all undergone multiple surgeries and experienced intestinal issues. She knows that all of this has affected her pelvic floor. During the course of her therapy, she has learned exercises to relax her pelvic floor and how to communicate with her partner about how she’s feeling.

During some sessions, Ashley would also use manual therapy techniques to help release tension in Cindy’s pelvic floor. “During those sessions, she always made it very clear that if I was uncomfortable, I should give her a signal and we would stop,” Cindy says. “Pelvic floor physical therapy can be uncomfortable and we think we shouldn’t say anything. Ashley makes sure to get input all along the way and make sure that I am always comfortable. I really appreciate the way she does her job.”

Cindy reports that sex is getting better, little by little. “She has made a world of difference in my life,” she says. “I’m almost where I need to be, and it’s all because of her.”

Ashley credits Cindy with being consistent with her work outside of PT. “She’s very diligent about her home exercise program, and I believe this has helped contribute to her major progress. She told me at the beginning that she was nervous to work with someone who appeared so much younger. She quickly overcame her reservations though and has been able to talk about things that have always seemed taboo to her. I’ve enjoyed getting to see her achieve her goals!”

*Name changed for client privacy.