What is my pelvic floor?

Let us do an exercise together. Sit on you hands. Feel for two bones, one in each hand.these are your sitz bones. Next on the front side of your body, where the two sides of your pelvis meet in the middle. Feel the pubic bone (where the zipper is from your pants starts). Finally, locate your tailbone on the backside of your body at the base of your spine. The sitz bones, pubic bone, and tailbone are the four parts of the body where the pelvic floor muscles weave and connect. 

What roles does the pelvic floor play?

The simple answer. The pelvic floor serves three main functions:

1. Eliminate: both holding in and letting out urine/bowel/gas

2. Intercourse: ability for penetration, comfort, and ability to orgasm

3. Organ protection/ Support: the pelvic floor absorbs impact and supports your organs (bladder, uterus, and bowels)

What is Holistic Pelvic Care™?

Holistic Pelvic Care™ (HPC) combines physical and energetic tools developed by Tami Kent, M.S. Physical Therapy. HPC is designed to assess pelvic floor muscle engagement and to restore balance in the pelvic bowl by encouraging optimal muscle recruitment. HPC is for women 18 years and older to address pelvic symptoms and to support general wellness. These techniques were pioneered by Tami Kent who has worked with over 10,000 female bodies. 

Who can benefit from pelvic floor therapy?

Any person with a vagina can benefit from Holistic Pelvic Care™. One does not need to have dysfunction in order to seek out services.  

What can I expect in a Holistic Pelvic Care™ session?

Your first appointment will consist of discussing medical history, an anatomy lesson, and then table work will begin. The therapist will check your skin integrity, then palpate (touch) your vulva to see if there are any tender points or fascial restrictions before moving to the intravaginal manual muscle test to determine strength and engagement of the pelvic floor. The results are determined by “squeeze” or Kegal recruitment. After identifying tender points and tension patterns the assessment then moves into the treatment side of HPC. With the use of breath, visualization, and intravaginal massage, the therapist works with the client to release tension and tender points through myofascial massage. The follow-up session will involve a brief re-assessment followed by a treatment session.

What effects will I notice after a Holistic Pelvic Care™ session?

Many women describe a new connection and awareness of their pelvic bowl. Clients of Holistic Pelvic Care™ report feeling more centered, feeling more relaxed, and report improved strength of their pelvic floor muscles. This work helps to improve blood flow and energy flow in the pelvic bowl which enhances overall health and vitality.  

Is pelvic massage painful?

Pelvic massage is respectful and gentle. The therapist always keeps open communication with each client. The body’s response guides the way the therapist works. The effect of this meaningful work is profound and women can often notice a change after one session. It should not hurt, however, those who present with pain tend to have restricted fascia and may experience discomfort while working to shift pain patterns held in the pelvic bowl. 

What types of pelvic symptoms may be addressed by Holistic Pelvic Care™?

HPC can address any imbalance in the pelvic bowl such as urinary leakage, uterine prolapse, muscle weakness, pelvic pain, and pain with insertion (tampon, penis, toy). Women have also sought treatment to support recovery from sexual abuse (in conjunction with a counselor). HPC also supports those on the fertility journey and recovering from cancer. Common diagnoses include:

• Vulvodynia

• Vaginismus 

• Dysmenorrhea 

• Prolapse

• Incontinence

• Endometriosis 

• Postpartum healing

Do I need to have pelvic symptoms to benefit from Holistic Pelvic Care™?

HPC can support you wherever you are on your journey, from pelvic floor symptoms to connecting more deeply to your root/center, OliveMe Pelvic Health is here to help you thrive. Annual and quarterly tune-ups can help keep your pelvic bowl balanced and aligned. HPC also benefits those going through energetic shifts such as menopause, career changes, preparing for a pregnancy, or healing from birth experiences. 

I am menstruating, can I still come?

Yes. You are welcome at any time during your cycle. This can be an assisted time for energy healing as your body is shedding.

What are the benefits of a sound bath?

Sound baths have many potential benefits, including:

• Reduced stress and anxiety: Sound baths can help to reduce stress and anxiety by calming the mind and body. The vibrations from the sound can help to release muscle tension and promote relaxation.

• Improved sleep: Sound baths can help to improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. The vibrations from the sound can also help to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

• Reduced pain: Sound baths can help to reduce pain by releasing muscle tension and promoting endorphin production. Endorphins are hormones that have pain-relieving and mood-boosting effects.

• Improved mood: Sound baths can help to improve mood by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. The vibrations from the sound can also help to increase the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is associated with happiness and well-being.

• Increased creativity: Sound baths can help to increase creativity by stimulating the right hemisphere of the brain. The right hemisphere is associated with creativity, intuition, and emotion.

• Spiritual growth: Sound baths can be used to promote spiritual growth and connection. The deep relaxation and altered state of consciousness that can be experienced during a sound bath can facilitate inner reflection and self-awareness.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing, a type of alternative medicine. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through a universal energy that is transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the client in order to encourage physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Reiki is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through all living things. When this energy is low or blocked, it can lead to illness and disease. Reiki practitioners believe that they can channel this universal energy to help heal the client.

A Reiki treatment typically involves the practitioner placing their hands on or just above the client's body in a series of positions. The practitioner may also use a gentle touch. The client may feel warmth, tingling, or a sense of peace and relaxation during the treatment.

Reiki can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Pain

• Stress and anxiety

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Headaches

• Digestive problems

• Chronic pain

• Cancer

• Arthritis

• Heart disease

What is OliveMe?

Marisa went walking one evening after weeks of word Tetris to try to create a business name. As she paused to talk to an olive tree that night "OliveMe" came to mind. She really loves puns and realized it sounded like “All of me” AND it sounded like “I love me”. I love me, all of me. A holistic approach to wellness has shown her that to be well, it starts with self-love, or the desire to love thyself wholly and find more ways to rest, nurture, and create in this life.

Marisa is on her journey to more self-love and more healing. There is always more to gather. More joy! More laughter! More flowers and sunsets! More dancing and singing and compassion and grace. There is more comfort and more hope! There is more medicine and more healing. 

What should I expect on my first visit?

After filling out your new client paperwork, we will sit down and talk about your goals and objectives. How do you feel and how do you want to feel? I am here to serve you and your needs through holding space, educating, and working with you to improve functional patterns. A typical appointment consists of checking in, education, and then intravaginal massage to release tension.

Do you accept insurance?

Payment by check, cash, HSA, or credit card. Marisa’s practice is made simple and affordable by not billing insurance, but she offers a receipt with insurance codes that may be submitted for reimbursement. To verify coverage, ask your insurer about coverage for a “non-preferred” provider This is usually a percentage of the overall fee. OliveMe Pelvic Health does not work directly with insurance.

What is Your Cancellation Policy? 

Cancellation without a 24-hour notice will be charged $50.