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 to 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 eye-opening episode, I tackle one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in men’s health: prostatitis. While pelvic pain in men is often automatically labeled as prostatitis and treated with antibiotics, I will explain why this may be misdiagnosed, and how pelvic floor dysfunction, nerve tension, lymphatic congestion, or even constipation might be the real root cause.

With compassion and clarity, let me walk you through how to properly evaluate and address male pelvic pain, why antibiotics aren't always the answer, and why pelvic floor physical therapy should be first-line care in these situations.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• What is prostatitis, really?
• Why pelvic pain without infection should NOT be treated with antibiotics
• Differentiating prostatitis from constipation, pelvic floor tension, and nerve entrapment
• How pelvic floor PT helps
• Erectile dysfunction, bladder hesitancy, and pain with sex
• Encouraging men to speak up, ask questions, and seek out a pelvic floor physical therapist
• Lymphatic involvement in male pelvic pain
• Conclusion

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!

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 to 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 honor of Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, let me shed some light on a topic that’s often overlooked: pelvic health for men. In this open and informative conversation, I break down what the male pelvic floor does, why it's important, and how issues like urinary urgency, constipation, erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, and more can be treated — not just tolerated.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone with male anatomy or those supporting someone who does. Whether you're navigating prostate concerns, recovering from surgery, or dealing with unexplained pain or function issues, I will help you understand how pelvic floor therapy can make a life-changing difference!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• Men have pelvic floors too - Bladder, bowel, and sexual function are just as important in male anatomy.
• Common symptoms that need attention
• Tension vs. weakness
• Prostatitis and misdiagnosis
• Respectful, clear care for male clients
• The role of hip mobility and global body mechanics
• Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular health
• Normalizing pelvic health conversations

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!

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!