Modalities for Pelvic Function: A Constantly Growing Toolkit

Since its launch in the beginning of 2024, Modalities for Pelvic Function has only continued to grow. The cool thing about this class is that although the curriculum content stays mostly the same, there are always amazing products for pelvic health being released and discovered by the curriculum team. Our next class offering is in July of 2025 and we’re adding at least 3 new products to the class. Enjoy our introduction to them in the order they will appear in our course work!

New to the Myofascial Techniques Lab - The BAligned Bowtie
The BAlign® Bowtie by TheraTrain is a therapy tool designed by Dr. Jaime Loomis, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, to promote spinal alignment and alleviate musculoskeletal discomfort. The BAlign Bowtie is a compact, hard rubber device shaped like two connected ovals. Dr. Jamie gives tips on where to place it, usually the base of the spine or pelvis, and then the client lies on it for a few minutes to help realign the spine and relieve pain. This tool is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing low back pain, hip tightness, or asymmetrical posture. It's also been reported to aid in conditions like scoliosis and improve mobility in activities such as golf and running.

I had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Jamie to talk about her product, and she gave me the insider scoop on it. This product can be used for pelvic alignment, but can also be used higher up in the spine to help with asymmetry and pain. I personally love a multifaceted tool for investment and creative purposes! She created this tool to save time in therapy sessions. Dr. Jamie noticed that patients with pelvic and shoulder asymmetries would have improvement with their alignment and pain in therapy, but then be back to baseline by their next session. She’d have to spend time in their session repeating previous work to realign things again. She found that with this tool, her patients could have something actionable at home and their return sessions in alignment and were able to focus on other areas of therapy such as strength, function, and mobility.

If you want to check this product out before our next class offering Modalities for Pelvic Function , check out her website or snag it from Amazon! Dr. Jamie has some really helpful videos to train therapists and their patients. Think of this as another tool in a patient’s self-care toolbox for their home program!

To learn more: https://theratrain.org/balign

Modalities for Bladder/ Bowel Health - Alonea PelvicTool
This product was introduced to me by a faculty member who tried it at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting and sent me an email immediately about how it NEEDED to be in the modalities course. In our Modalities for Bladder/Bowel Health, we have a 90-minute hands-on lecture about all the products we have collected that relate to pelvic floor therapy for bladder and bowel diagnoses. We review and trial a whole bunch of pelvic floor muscle trainers to help with coordination and relaxation, but the Alonea PelvicTool is a wonderful new addition.

The Alonea PelvicTool is marketed as a non-invasive, app-supported pelvic floor training device designed for women, men, and children. It utilizes biofeedback technology to help users strengthen and improve control over their pelvic floor muscles. It features an ergonomic seat cushion with a soft pressure-sensitive sensor that connects via Bluetooth to the PelvicTool app, providing real-time biofeedback during muscle contractions. This visual guidance helps users correctly engage their pelvic floor muscles, making it ideal for home use, fitness centers, or therapy clinics. This device offers options for guided workouts, free training, and progress tracking. The device supports rehabilitation and prevention of issues like incontinence, back pain, pelvic instability, and erectile dysfunction without the need for internal devices or undressing.

Clinically, this device could be beneficial for anyone who does not want to have a pelvic floor muscle assessment for a variety of reasons, but feels comfortable sitting on the PelvicTool and monitoring their pelvic floor motion on an app. This device can provide reassurance to both the patient and clinician that IF pelvic floor muscle engagement or relaxation is indicated that it is happening correctly.

Alonea has kindly provided a 10% discount to Herman & Wallace course participants: h&walonea10%

To learn more: https://alonea.ch/en/pelvictool-alonea-pelvic-floor-trainer/

Belts, Braces, Supports & Special Topics - My Pelvic Bra
Last but not least, this product was created by Jeanice Mitchell, PT, MPT, WCS, BCB- PMD, founder of myPFM. She describes imaging an external support after having her first baby but wanting something discreet that she could wear under her clothes. She had a hard time finding something that was supportive AND discreet at the same time. She was introduced to a friend of a friend who was a costume designer for Disney and myPelvicBra™ was born.

The myPelvicBra™ is a discreet, wearable support garment designed by a pelvic floor physical therapist to provide gentle perineal compression and lift to the pelvic floor. It aims to alleviate symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse, urinary leaks, and pelvic pressure, especially during physical activities like walking, exercise, or prolonged standing. This product is constructed with a breathable, sweat-wicking liner and a reinforced hammock structure, it offers a second skin feel without visible panty lines. The adjustable waistband of the Classic allows users to customize the level of support needed throughout the day. Available in both Classic and Sports versions, the myPelvicBra™ caters to varying lifestyle needs, providing a non-invasive alternative to internal devices like pessaries. Its design focuses on comfort, discretion, and effectiveness, making it a valuable tool for individuals seeking external pelvic support.

I can tell you from personal experience, this product has been a life saver for my patients who need support for their symptoms. It's especially helpful as a quick intervention as patients are working on therapy goals of strength, coordination, and load transfer/pressure management. My patients who have significant prolapse with symptoms who are doing all of the therapy things and needing more support, but don’t want to go the route of pessary fitting or surgery also have really benefitted from this product.

To learn more: https://www.mypelvicbra.shop/

We’re excited to continue to add products to Modalities for Pelvic Function so that those taking the class can learn about, practice, and explore amazing products they may not have known existed to help support patients on their pelvic health journeys. Join an upcoming Modalities for Pelvic Function near you: 

• Houston, TX  on July 12-13
• Akron, OH on September 20-21
• Somerset, NJ on October 4-5

AUTHOR BIO
Mora Pluchino, PT, DPT, PRPC

Mora Pluchino, PT, DPT, PRPC (she/her) is a graduate of Stockton University with a BS in Biology (2007) and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (2009). She has experience in a variety of areas and settings, working with children and adults, including orthopedics, bracing, neuromuscular issues, vestibular issues, and robotics training. She began treating Pelvic Health patients in 2016 and now has experience treating women, men, and children with a variety of Pelvic Health dysfunction. There is not much she has not treated since beginning this journey and she is always happy to further her education to better help her patients meet their goals.

She strives to help all of her patients return to a quality of life and activity that they are happy with for the best bladder, bowel, and sexual functioning they are capable of at the present time. In 2020, She opened her own practice called Practically Perfect Physical Therapy Consulting to help meet the needs of more clients. She has been a guest lecturer for Rutgers University Blackwood Campus and Stockton University for their Pediatric and Pelvic Floor modules since 2016. She has also been a TA with Herman & Wallace since 2020 and has over 150 hours of lab instruction experience. Mora has also authored and instructs several courses for the Institute.