Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this heartfelt episode of North Star Physical Therapy Podcast, I take a meaningful pause from my usual medical-focused content to celebrate Pride Month and discuss the importance of inclusive healthcare. Everybody has a pelvis and everybody has a lymphatic system - all deserve optimal care regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

This episode highlights my passion for celebrating diversity while maintaining expertise in pelvic and lymphatic health. Tune in as I share real client stories and emphasize that respect and understanding are fundamental to healthcare!

In this episode, you'll also learn:

• Why Pride Month matters in healthcare settings
• The importance of inclusive language in medical practice
• Pre- and post-surgical pelvic floor therapy for gender-affirming procedures
• How to address sexual function concerns regardless of anatomy or orientation
• The complexity and beauty of working with diverse client histories
• Why trauma-informed care includes asking about pronouns and preferred terminology
• How lifestyle factors affect pelvic health across all populations
• Dr. North's personal journey of learning from the LGBTQ+ community

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!