PHYSICAL THERAPY
What is Women's Health PT?
Physical therapists who focus on Women’s Health manage women’s health concerns throughout the life cycle. This includes musculoskeletal dysfunction (such as back, neck, foot, or shoulder pain; tendinitis; muscle strains, etc.), pregnancy and post-partum concerns, pre- and post-natal exercise, pelvic pain, post-cesarean care, incontinence, osteoporosis/osteopenia, fibromyalgia, the female athlete, special concerns of menopause and more. Physical therapists who specialize in this area have pecific training in this area, usually after they have several years of experience as a PT.
What is pelvic pain?
“Pelvic Pain” is a generalized term which may include one or more of several diagnoses such as endometriosis, vulvodynia, vaginismus, vulvar vestibulitis, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), dyspareunia (painful intercourse), interstitial cystitis, coccydynia, pelvic floor muscle spasms, post-partum pain...just to name a few. The National Pain Foundation reports that 12-20% of women have chronic pelvic pain and that 33% of women will experience pelvic pain within their lifetime. It is quite common and very life-altering yet it is often not discussed between a woman and her healthcare provider. Because of the nature of this type of pain it can be a very emotional thing to experience...especially when it involves the inability to have the relationship you desire with your partner or when aspects of your diagnosis are related to infertility. You are not alone in this.
What about treatment?
When the cause of the pain or dysfunction lies anywhere within the musculoskeletal system, a woman should seek the expertise of a physical therapist whose knowledge of movement and function is key to restoring the proper function of the pelvis. A PT will thoroughly evaluate your musculoskeletal system and determine or verify the cause of your problems. At that point a treatment plan will be made which may include education, manual therapy (myofascial release, muscle energy techniques, acupressure, internal techniques via the vaginal or anal canal to access the deepest layer of pelvic floor muscles, etc.), exercises, and modalities (biofeedback, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or the application of cold/heat). After the evaluation I will also be able to give you my best estimate of how many sessions your treatment will require and together we will work out a schedule to fit your needs.
During your evaluation or treatment you are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you. Young children are also welcome to
attend your session and I do have a small amount of small toys/books/coloring materials to help entertain your child should she/her get fidgety. Because my treatment room is small, however, I ask that the amount of family members in the room with us be limited to one extra adult or two small children. For your convenience there is a waiting area at the entrance to Urban Oasis and any other people accompanying you are encouraged to wait there.
Physical therapists who focus on Women’s Health manage women’s health concerns throughout the life cycle. This includes musculoskeletal dysfunction (such as back, neck, foot, or shoulder pain; tendinitis; muscle strains, etc.), pregnancy and post-partum concerns, pre- and post-natal exercise, pelvic pain, post-cesarean care, incontinence, osteoporosis/osteopenia, fibromyalgia, the female athlete, special concerns of menopause and more. Physical therapists who specialize in this area have pecific training in this area, usually after they have several years of experience as a PT.
What is pelvic pain?
“Pelvic Pain” is a generalized term which may include one or more of several diagnoses such as endometriosis, vulvodynia, vaginismus, vulvar vestibulitis, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), dyspareunia (painful intercourse), interstitial cystitis, coccydynia, pelvic floor muscle spasms, post-partum pain...just to name a few. The National Pain Foundation reports that 12-20% of women have chronic pelvic pain and that 33% of women will experience pelvic pain within their lifetime. It is quite common and very life-altering yet it is often not discussed between a woman and her healthcare provider. Because of the nature of this type of pain it can be a very emotional thing to experience...especially when it involves the inability to have the relationship you desire with your partner or when aspects of your diagnosis are related to infertility. You are not alone in this.
What about treatment?
When the cause of the pain or dysfunction lies anywhere within the musculoskeletal system, a woman should seek the expertise of a physical therapist whose knowledge of movement and function is key to restoring the proper function of the pelvis. A PT will thoroughly evaluate your musculoskeletal system and determine or verify the cause of your problems. At that point a treatment plan will be made which may include education, manual therapy (myofascial release, muscle energy techniques, acupressure, internal techniques via the vaginal or anal canal to access the deepest layer of pelvic floor muscles, etc.), exercises, and modalities (biofeedback, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or the application of cold/heat). After the evaluation I will also be able to give you my best estimate of how many sessions your treatment will require and together we will work out a schedule to fit your needs.
During your evaluation or treatment you are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you. Young children are also welcome to
attend your session and I do have a small amount of small toys/books/coloring materials to help entertain your child should she/her get fidgety. Because my treatment room is small, however, I ask that the amount of family members in the room with us be limited to one extra adult or two small children. For your convenience there is a waiting area at the entrance to Urban Oasis and any other people accompanying you are encouraged to wait there.
MEET OUR PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Tammy DeRoche, Physical Therapist
My name is Tammy DeRoche and I’m a physical therapist (PT) specializing in women’s health* and manual therapy.** I have been a PT since 1997 and began focusing more on treating the specific needs of women in 2006.
I earned my Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree in 1997 and my Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2004 from the University of Puget Sound (UPS) in Tacoma, WA. While at UPS, I completed internships at Swedish Hospital in Seattle (outpatient orthopedics) and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma (pediatrics, neurology). After graduation I moved to Chicago where I worked at a large urban medical center which gave me the opportunity to see patients through all stages of orthopedic and neurological hospitalization—from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Acute Care settings to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Rehabilitation floors. I then switched to an outpatient clinic setting which focused on all forms of outpatient treatment from post-stroke and post-surgical rehab to athletic injuries for all ages of clients, children through elderly adults. My husband’s career took us to Denver, Colorado where I continued in outpatient orthopedics in a small clinic and that is where I began my connection with Women’s Health Physical Therapy upon taking a course in 2002 called “Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.”
Since returning to the Northwest I have slowly increased the percentage of my clients who have women’s health issues until 2010 when it became about 95% of my caseload. It is personally rewarding and a privilege to partner with women in the process of overcoming pain and dysfunction at the very core of their bodies. As a solo practitioner, I have the opportunity to practice in a manner which follows my personal philosophy on healthcare. In today’s larger clinic settings, there are times where patients and therapists feel rushed, and in some cases the quality of care suffers. I believe that taking time with each patient provides the foundation for a holistic and effective treatment plan and a strong therapist/patient relationship. I want each client to know that she or he has my complete attention and focus and that neither of us has to worry about fitting everything into a short session. Each session will be customized with progress toward the individual’s goals in mind. At the same time, as the client improves and nears discharge she may no longer require a 60 minute session. Scheduling sessions tailored to a client’s needs instead of being held to a firm schedule of 30-40 minutes ensures you get the care you need throughout the stages of your treatment.
I hope you are feeling well and don’t need my assistance but if you do require physical therapy I would love to help. Please call me at 425-753-3831 to discuss if my services are a good fit for you.
* Women’s Health diagnoses include incontinence (of bladder or bowel), pelvic pain, pelvic floor weakness, constipation, vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, osteoporosis/osteopenia, interstitial cystitis, coccydynia, post-partum and pregnancy related pain, endometriosis and many more.
** Manual therapy includes ‘hands on’ treatments to improve mobility of the joints and muscles and to relieve pain such as: therapeutic massage, myofascial release, muscle energy technique, acupressure, strain/counterstrain, manual stretching and range of motion, and more.
Email Tammy to schedule an appointment or call her directly at (425)-753-3831.
My name is Tammy DeRoche and I’m a physical therapist (PT) specializing in women’s health* and manual therapy.** I have been a PT since 1997 and began focusing more on treating the specific needs of women in 2006.
I earned my Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree in 1997 and my Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2004 from the University of Puget Sound (UPS) in Tacoma, WA. While at UPS, I completed internships at Swedish Hospital in Seattle (outpatient orthopedics) and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma (pediatrics, neurology). After graduation I moved to Chicago where I worked at a large urban medical center which gave me the opportunity to see patients through all stages of orthopedic and neurological hospitalization—from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Acute Care settings to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Rehabilitation floors. I then switched to an outpatient clinic setting which focused on all forms of outpatient treatment from post-stroke and post-surgical rehab to athletic injuries for all ages of clients, children through elderly adults. My husband’s career took us to Denver, Colorado where I continued in outpatient orthopedics in a small clinic and that is where I began my connection with Women’s Health Physical Therapy upon taking a course in 2002 called “Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.”
Since returning to the Northwest I have slowly increased the percentage of my clients who have women’s health issues until 2010 when it became about 95% of my caseload. It is personally rewarding and a privilege to partner with women in the process of overcoming pain and dysfunction at the very core of their bodies. As a solo practitioner, I have the opportunity to practice in a manner which follows my personal philosophy on healthcare. In today’s larger clinic settings, there are times where patients and therapists feel rushed, and in some cases the quality of care suffers. I believe that taking time with each patient provides the foundation for a holistic and effective treatment plan and a strong therapist/patient relationship. I want each client to know that she or he has my complete attention and focus and that neither of us has to worry about fitting everything into a short session. Each session will be customized with progress toward the individual’s goals in mind. At the same time, as the client improves and nears discharge she may no longer require a 60 minute session. Scheduling sessions tailored to a client’s needs instead of being held to a firm schedule of 30-40 minutes ensures you get the care you need throughout the stages of your treatment.
I hope you are feeling well and don’t need my assistance but if you do require physical therapy I would love to help. Please call me at 425-753-3831 to discuss if my services are a good fit for you.
* Women’s Health diagnoses include incontinence (of bladder or bowel), pelvic pain, pelvic floor weakness, constipation, vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, osteoporosis/osteopenia, interstitial cystitis, coccydynia, post-partum and pregnancy related pain, endometriosis and many more.
** Manual therapy includes ‘hands on’ treatments to improve mobility of the joints and muscles and to relieve pain such as: therapeutic massage, myofascial release, muscle energy technique, acupressure, strain/counterstrain, manual stretching and range of motion, and more.
Email Tammy to schedule an appointment or call her directly at (425)-753-3831.
- Tammy's Consent form [.pdf] - Please Complete Prior to First Appointment
