Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy (TAI) is known for its strong commitment to career growth and professional development. This reputation is well-earned.
I knew this company was special back when I was initially a patient at TAI. When I was hired as an aide thereafter, I was so enamored with how positively everyone talked about their job and, furthermore, about the company at large. I picked up on employees frequently describing how the company fostered growth within several realms: leadership, mentorship, emotional growth, clinical skills, and specialization.
Specialization in physical therapy
Specialization within physical therapy allows practitioners to deepen their expertise in a specific area of care, enabling them to provide more targeted and effective treatments. Some physical therapists specialize to align their careers with their passions, meet the growing needs of specific patient populations, or advance their professional skills. At Therapeutic Associates PT, the company fully supports these ambitions, offering a robust framework for continuing education, mentorship, and collaboration among specialists. This support system empowers PTs to excel in their chosen specialties and make meaningful impacts in their patients’ lives.
Exploring pelvic health as a specialty within physical therapy
Specializing in pelvic health within physical therapy offers a unique and impactful career path.
My own journey into this specialization began during my time as a staff PT in Ballard. My director hired a pelvic health PT, who provided fascinating insights into a specialty I knew very little about at the time. Later, when I took over as director of the McMinnville clinic, where the patient population included about 30-40 percent pelvic specialty cases, I knew it was time to deepen my expertise. I immediately began my certification path through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
Understanding pelvic health
Pelvic health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, affecting both physical and mental health. It relates to the wellbeing of our bladder, bowel, reproductive organs, and the orthopedic functions of the pelvis and surrounding joints. Our pelvic function can affect joint systems that reach from our jaw to our toes. Impairments in pelvic health can also significantly affect our mental health, relationships, travel plans, recreational participation, and athletic performance.
As a pelvic health physical therapist, I treat a wide range of conditions, including pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation, dyspareunia or pain with intercourse, pregnancy-related care, postpartum care, post-surgical conditions, and orthopedic care to the pelvis and surrounding areas. Some therapists further specialize in treating pediatric pelvic health conditions, obstetric care, men’s pelvic floor PT, and oncological rehabilitation.
Why Therapeutic Associates PT?
Therapeutic Associates PT stands out as a company that prioritizes professional growth and development, particularly for those pursuing specialization. The company culture and values are highly conducive to personal and professional growth, with a supportive environment for continuing education and specialization.
TAI has pelvic health physical therapists who have pursued coursework with the Herman and Wallace Institute, APTA, and other coursework from specialists worldwide. We are constantly sharing cases, best practices, and current research through emails in our pelvic health listserv within our TAI communication network.
Mentorship and collaboration are key components of our work environment, and TAI offers ample opportunities for both. I am thrilled to be a part of TAI for so many reasons, and one of my most exciting ventures is teaming up with other pelvic health physical therapists to ensure that our clinical care, mentorship, and opportunities within TAI are superior. At TAI, I serve on the Pelvic Health Task Force, a group of leaders in the field of pelvic health PT who strive to create an environment and culture of learning for other pelvic health PTs. This group organizes and offers in-clinic and external mentorship, designs and carries out learning opportunities through presentations and shared case studies and hosts pelvic health-specific office hours.
The path to pelvic health specialization
Preparing for a specialization in pelvic health involves acquiring foundational knowledge and skills through coursework and clinical experience. I ventured into the pelvic health specialty world through the Herman and Wallace pelvic health program. It was important to me that I was able to treat everyone with a pelvis. The APTA also has a fantastic Women’s Health Specialty program. After some rigorous studying, I sat for my certification exam and received my Pelvic Rehabilitation Provider Certification (PRPC) in 2022.
Continuing education opportunities and certifications are abundant within the pelvic health specialty, and seeking mentorship from experienced pelvic health therapists within Therapeutic Associates PT is highly encouraged.
Benefits and rewards of specializing in pelvic health PT
The personal and professional fulfillment of making a meaningful impact on patients’ lives through specialized care is immense.
Many of my orthopedic patients end up becoming pelvic health patients. I have mixed emotions when patients tell me, “I never knew a field like this existed!” While I am thrilled to provide this form of specialty care, it is a constant reminder of how far we still have to go to promote this type of care so people can access it readily.
Nothing has brought me greater empathy than being a pelvic physical therapy patient. It brings my patients a lot of peace knowing the person they’re sharing such private information with can not only help, but often relate. I share with my patients often that the most rewarding part of my career has been growing our pelvic health program at my clinic in McMinnville.
The feedback from patients regarding the impact we have made on their lives is unsurpassed.
It is important to remember that many of these patients have felt isolated, embarrassed, or suffered in silence for a significant amount of time. There is sometimes nothing more powerful than providing hope to these patients, and I’m so excited I get to do this every day, empowering women through prioritizing pelvic floor health.
Why pelvic health specialization at TAI is a career game-changer
Specializing in pelvic health at Therapeutic Associates PT offers a wealth of benefits, from the opportunity to be part of a large, communicative network of specialists to the chance to grow professionally in a supportive and innovative environment. At TAI, we have a large network of specialists that communicates and shares clinical pearls, case studies, and continuing education opportunities, both within our company and to the public. We have leaders in the field of pelvic health and a multiplatform mentorship program that I feel no other company could measure up to.
If you’re a physical therapist considering a specialization, I strongly encourage you to explore the opportunities within Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy. You will not find a larger, more communicative, and highly educated group all under one company roof as you will at TAI. Every pelvic health practitioner I have met has been passionate about providing pelvic care. I feel this type of passion is more unique in healthcare, and it is now one of the fastest-growing areas of specialization in the field of physical therapy.
Pelvic Health PT Patient Success Stories
Laughing with Confidence
Interested in more insight?
Check out this video to hear from other teammates about why they like working at Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy.
Physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country. One of the benefits of being a physical therapist is that it offers individuals the chance to have a meaningful impact on patients every single day. If you have questions or are interested in learning more about joining the Therapeutic Associates team, visit our careers page to learn more and check out the current openings!
Join the Therapeutic Associates Family
If you’re looking for an opportunity to join a company that is committed to a collaborative culture of growth, inclusion and fulfillment, supported by resources that make a difference in your life, the life of your patients, your local communities and the world, consider a career with Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy. With clinics throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California, we are always on the lookout for exceptional people who would be a great fit for our team!
