Managing Chronic Pelvic Pain In Brooklyn With Pelvic Floor Therapy


For women living with chronic pelvic pain, it can be challenging to complete day-to-day activities without discomfort. The good news is there’s hope for healing and relief right here in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! At The Lifted Lotus, we are dedicated to helping individuals manage chronic pelvic pain through holistic pelvic floor therapy. By focusing on your unique needs and experiences, our practice offers a welcoming and empowering approach to pelvic health care, encouraging you to take charge of your well-being. Our specialized care is designed to support you every step of the way, ensuring you don’t feel alone during this transformative healing journey.

What Are The Causes Of Chronic Pelvic Pain?

Chronic pelvic pain can have a multitude of causes, each of which can impact women in unique and complex ways. Understanding the root causes is crucial in addressing and managing these symptoms effectively. At The Lifted Lotus, we approach these concerns with a comprehensive and empathetic lens, considering the physical, emotional, and psychological factors involved. Here are some common causes of chronic pelvic pain:

  • Endometriosis: Often a major contributor, endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, leading to pain and discomfort.

  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): This infection can affect the reproductive organs, causing inflammation that leads to chronic pain if not treated promptly and properly.

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): As a disorder affecting the large intestine, IBS can generate persistent pelvic discomfort alongside gastrointestinal symptoms.

  • Interstitial Cystitis: Also known as painful bladder syndrome, this condition causes chronic bladder pressure and pain, significantly affecting pelvic health.

  • Musculoskeletal Issues: Conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction or tension myoneural syndrome can manifest chronic pain due to muscular issues in the pelvic area.

  • Nerve-Related Pain: Issues like pudendal neuralgia or referred pain from other locations can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic pain.

Addressing chronic pelvic pain requires a tailored approach that respects the diverse challenges faced by each individual. Our aim at The Lifted Lotus is to empower you with the tools and support necessary to reclaim your pelvic health and well-being.

What Are Some Holistic Approaches To Pelvic Pain Management?

Chronic pelvic pain can be a disruptive force, impacting your daily activities and general well-being. At The Lifted Lotus, our practice is dedicated to identifying the underlying causes of pelvic pain and working collaboratively with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that promotes healing and empowerment.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy offers a holistic approach to pelvic pain management by addressing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and functional aspects of your well-being. Pelvic floor therapy is considered a specialized area within occupational therapy, which is why The Lifted Lotus is run by licensed occupational therapists who are qualified to provide pelvic floor rehabilitation and treatment.

At The Lifted Lotus, our therapists are skilled in assessing the unique ways pelvic pain affects your daily life, whether through posture, movement patterns, or stress responses. We aim to reduce pain, restore function, and empower you with tools to manage your health long-term. By focusing on the whole person rather than just the symptoms, occupational therapy fosters a deeper understanding of your body and its natural rhythms, creating a pathway toward lasting relief and renewed vitality.

Functional Exercises

Functional exercises are core to our practice. They enhance the strength and functionality of your pelvic floor, on which your overall pelvic health strongly depends. By incorporating breath work, we facilitate a natural rhythm that aligns your pelvic floor muscles for optimal performance, whether you're experiencing pain due to endometriosis, core weakness, or other pelvic health concerns.

In addition to movement therapy, our sessions are a safe space for education and empowerment. We believe that understanding your body fosters agency, inspiring confidence throughout your healing journey. Whether you're preparing for or recovering from birth, or navigating the transformative stages of menopause, our therapies are adaptable to your specific life stage and requirements, ensuring an approach that resonates with your personal experience.

What Are The Benefits Of Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy is a transformative approach that offers numerous benefits for individuals dealing with chronic pelvic pain and other pelvic health concerns. Here’s why pelvic floor therapy might be the key to reclaiming comfort and strength:

  1. Pain Relief and Management: Through gentle methods and targeted exercises, pelvic floor therapy helps alleviate chronic pelvic pain, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives. Our personalized approach at The Lifted Lotus focuses on understanding the root cause of the pain and tailoring treatments to your unique needs.

  2. Enhances Core Strength: Our therapy targets not only the pelvic floor muscles but also the interconnected muscles in the core. This holistic strengthening can lead to improved posture, balance, and overall physical stability.

  3. Improves Bladder and Bowel Function: By addressing pelvic health from a comprehensive standpoint, our therapy can significantly improve issues related to bladder and bowel dysfunction. This enhancement in functionality often results in greater confidence and quality of life.

  4. Supports Sexual Health and Wellness: Pelvic floor therapy can be instrumental in addressing painful sex and other sexual dysfunctions. By promoting relaxation and improving muscle function, therapy can lead to a more fulfilling sex life.

  5. Facilitates Holistic Postpartum Recovery: New mothers can greatly benefit from pelvic floor therapy as they navigate the postpartum journey. Our specialized postpartum bundle offers a safe space to understand hormonal changes, heal from birth, and gently reconnect with your body.

  6. Prepares For Life Transitions: Whether you're preparing for childbirth or entering menopause, pelvic floor therapy supports you through every stage. Our focus on education and empowerment ensures that you are equipped to embrace life's transitions with strength and confidence.

At The Lifted Lotus, we're dedicated to nurturing your pelvic health with compassion and expertise. Our therapy is about empowering you to reconnect with your body and elevate your overall well-being. Let us be your partner in healing and transformation.

What Can You Expect During Treatment?

At The Lifted Lotus, we strive to create a nurturing, judgment-free environment. When you choose to receive treatment from us, you can expect a fully personalized approach that’s tailored to your needs. Our holistic methods focus on the interplay between mind and body, aiming to offer relief and recovery.

  • Initial Evaluation: Your journey with us begins with a one-on-one session that typically takes about 70-90 minutes. Here, we take the time to get to really know each other. It’s an opportunity for you to share your goals, personal history, past treatments, and your own thoughts about why or where you’re experiencing any concerns.

  • Standard OT Evaluation: After our initial conversation, we will perform a standard “screen” of your breath, posture, movement, strength, flexibility, balance, and pain. After the evaluation is complete, we will discuss the findings with you and determine a plan of action to help you reach your goals.

  • Optional Internal Pelvic Evaluation: If warranted, we may perform an internal pelvic evaluation to determine the cause of pain, weakness, or incoordination of the muscles causing imbalances in your pelvic floor. A thorough explanation of the exam will be provided beforehand and we will only proceed after obtaining written and verbal consent from you. Please note that the exam can be stopped at any time and you’re more than welcome to bring someone with you to the examination for support!

  • Gentle, Hands-On Therapy: Our techniques are centered around gentle, hands-on methods that help you reconnect with your body. By focusing on functional exercises, we encourage the engagement of both the breath and pelvic floor without strain.

  • Education and Empowerment: Understanding your condition is a crucial step in managing chronic pelvic pain. We provide the education and tools you need to feel empowered about your health choices and progress. Please don’t hesitate to ask your therapist questions throughout your treatment.

  • Personalized Exercise Plans: In every session, exercises are carefully selected to support your specific goals. Our aim is to help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence. Whether you're navigating pregnancy, healing postpartum, or dealing with pelvic pain, our exercises are adapted to meet you where you are.

  • Progressive Healing: As you advance through the treatment, expect a gradual improvement in both physical function and overall well-being. Our supportive team is here to celebrate every milestone with you, ensuring you feel uplifted and understood at every phase.

Your path towards healing and elevating your well-being with The Lifted Lotus begins with the assurance that you are in safe, capable hands, ready to guide you through every step of your recovery journey.


How Can The Lifted Lotus Help With Chronic Pelvic Pain?

At The Lifted Lotus, we understand the profound impact chronic pelvic pain can have on your daily life and overall well-being. Our approach combines expert care with compassionate support to address the physical and emotional challenges of pelvic pain. With a focus on holistic therapies, we aim to empower you with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve lasting relief and restore balance in your body. Whether through personalized occupational therapy, postpartum healing programs, or mindful movement like Pilates, our team is dedicated to helping you reclaim comfort, confidence, and vitality in your journey toward wellness.


Meet Our Team

Our main team consists of two licensed occupational therapists, Marlene Handler and Danielle O’Connell. Marlene, the founder, is passionate about educating and empowering individuals regarding pelvic health and wellness. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New York University and has undergone specialized training in pelvic floor rehabilitation with Lindsey Vestal of The Functional Pelvis and the accredited Herman & Wallace Institute.

Meanwhile, Danielle is our lead clinician, and she earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Buffalo. She focuses on creating a comfortable, therapeutic atmosphere that fosters personal growth and empowerment. Additionally, she has completed various pelvic floor therapy specialization training from the Herman & Wallace Institute, Laura Rowan of Essential Pelvic Health, and Lindsay Vestal of The Functional Pelvis. Together, Marlene and Danielle utilize gentle, hands-on techniques and targeted exercises to address chronic pain, helping clients reconnect with their bodies and achieve lasting relief.

Postpartum Healing

Growing a baby and recovering from pregnancy is a long process. While motherhood is a rewarding and beautiful experience, it can bring potential challenges like pelvic pain. Our postpartum healing bundle teaches you to nurture and heal yourself in the 4th trimester and beyond. This bundle includes a 90-minute initial evaluation and four additional 60-minute follow-up appointments that will focus on understanding hormonal changes during postpartum, discussing and healing from any potential birth wounds (perineal tears or c-section), and safely returning to exercise and movement that feels good to your body.

Private Pilates Sessions

At The Lifted Lotus, we also offer personalized private Pilates sessions that focus on enhancing your pelvic floor function through mindful movement and breath work. These sessions are designed to meet you where you are, aiming to guide you gently back to a place of strength and ease. We will always ensure safe engagement of the pelvic floor and core muscles, allowing you to find relief and balance from chronic pelvic pain. These private Pilates sessions are a great way to reconnect with your body and cultivate self-awareness, providing a supportive framework for you to thrive.

Multi-Session Bundles

Are you an existing client looking for continued care? Then a 5-session bundle is perfect for you! It only includes care sessions, so you can skip the initial evaluation session. The price of this bundle is more budget-friendly as well, giving you a discount of $20 per visit by purchasing five sessions in advance. These can also be used for our pregnancy pelvic floor therapy, which is a great resource for expecting mothers who are seeking a tailored experience to ask questions and prepare for the arrival of their baby.

Trust in our compassionate team to provide a nurturing environment where your concerns are heard and addressed. As you prepare to recover from chronic pelvic pain, know that you have a partner in The Lifted Lotus dedicated to guiding you toward a harmonious balance of health and wellness. Book an appointment today to achieve the lasting chronic pelvic pain relief you’ve been searching for!