Women's Health Rehabilitation
The women's health rehabilitation team at Buffalo Spine and Sports Institute is dedicated to providing physical medicine and rehabilitation services to address the musculoskeletal health needs of women. We address pain and dysfunction by treating the whole patient and not just their symptoms.
Dr. Deborah Bergfeld is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist). The physiatric approach to patient care focuses on restoring function through non-surgical care.
Jennifer Aloian is a physical therapist with the specific training required for women's health rehabilitation.
Common diagnosis and Treatment Expertise
Pregnancy and Postpartum pain and dysfunction
- Low back pain and "sciatica"
- Neck or thoracic pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Pelvic pain
- Pubic symphysis pain and separation
- Rectus diastasis
- Joint pain (hip, shoulder, knee, etc)
- Nerve related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, femoral neuropathy
- Coccydynia
Pelvic floor pain and dysfunction
- Pelvic floor weakness and prolapse
- Pelvic floor tension and pain
- Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
- Vulvodynia
- Post radiation vaginal and rectal pain
Incontinence
- Stress and/or urge urinary incontinence
Osteoporosis
- Assessing fall risk and gait instability
- Compression fractures
Female athletes
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Management
Medical assessment- includes detailed musculoskeletal, neurologic, abdominal and pelvic floor examinations
Internal pelvic floor examination (vaginal and rectal) - assesses muscle tone, tightness/tenderness, strength, endurance and coordination
Diagnostic evaluation
- Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCV)
- Radiologic examinations when appropriate
Treatment can include: patient education, lifestyle modification, physical therapy, manual treatment, medication management, and injections
