A little about Holly McDonald, PT, LMBT- pelvic floor physical therapist

I am Holly McDonald, PT, LMBT. I am a pelvic rehab specialist that works with people to improve their confidence and control when it comes to peeing, pooping, pain, childbirth, and sex. 🫢. Yes! I talk about all that stuff. I have a private clinic that specializes in Pelvic Health and rehabilitation of pelvic issues.  Relief Physical Therapy is located at 501 Shepherd Street, in Winston Salem  NC. I work with people in-person, and virtually.

I have been a licensed Physical Therapist since 2009. I began working in Pelvic health more than 7 years ago. For several years I commuted to Greensboro to provide therapy, because no clinics in Winston had pelvic PT at that time. I opened Relief Physical Therapy in 2018 to provide pelvic rehab services to the Winston Salem Community. (Okay, and honestly the drive to Greensboro wasn’t fun.)

When I was a massage therapist, many years ago, I had a client that I just couldn’t help. They continued to come to get regular massage because it helped a little, temporarily. But we never really did address the problem, or find the root cause. They talked a lot during treatment about how frustrating it was to go to specialist after specialist with no reall answers. Many medical professionals that they saw were discouraging, and some were outright demeaning when talking about sex, and sexual function.

Of course, I was a massage therapist at the time, so this was not an area I could help with at all. But I was really moved by their story of how the medical community had not only been unable to find solutions, but also had made them feel shamed and humiliated about having issues with basic human needs.

When I returned to school to get my Physical Therapy degree, I learned about pelvic floor physical therapy. I suspected that was what my previous client had needed. But I got practically no information about treating pelvic floor muscles in my PT program. I was told that Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specialty, and I would need to get additional education after I had my MPT degree and license. I was convinced that Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy was a specialty that people needed, and just couldn’t get.

Since then I have pursued an education in pelvic floor physical therapy and all things related to pelvic health. I have helped hundreds of people gain confidence and problem solve to address their issues. It has been an amazing journey that open my eyes to some of the huge gaps we have in our medical model. We continue to have biases against women’s health, sexual health, and wellness rather than disease. Fortunately the tide is turning (slowly, but none-the-less) I hope that in the future people are able to get the help they need without feeling shame or embarrassment of problems with peeing, pooping, pain, or sex.

I see patients that have problems with control of bowel and bladder issues, problems during pregnancy or after childbirth, and any time there are changes in or around the pelvis like pain in the back, hips, tailbone or genitals.

These changes can happen due to trauma, like an automobile accident or a fall. Or from hormonal changes like pregnancy, menopause, low Testosterone, or hormonal suppression or supplementation. Sometimes symptoms just start for no reason or seem to have been there all along.

I treat all genders, whether you have a penis or a vagina your pelvic floor is an integral part of your ability to function for urine, stooling, and sexual health.

Okay, two things…

1. The muscles at the bottom of your pelvis are just that, muscles. They control access in and out of the bottom of your pelvis. And they can be rehabbed, just like your knee, or your hip, or your back.
2. Please STOP telling yourself and each other that these problems are “Normal” or that they are just because you are older, or heavier, or because you gave birth, or it’s been too long, etc. Even though those qualities may be true, they do NOT mean that you cannot rehab yourself and help your body heal. Relief Is possible.

My practice is in Winston Salem NC. I see some patients virtually, but in-person is even better. I am located at 501 Shepherd St. Winston Salem NC 27103. For more information, or to schedule an appointment please call the office at 336-414-2050, or email us at office@reliefpt.com.