News

Contact: Mindy Warner

(LIBERTY - June 22, 2020) Too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about those sudden urges to go to the bathroom or pain during sex? Don’t be afraid, said Haleigh Jackson, a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor health at Liberty Hospital Sports Medicine and Norterre Outpatient Therapy.

“These are common issues, and often people think they are the only ones dealing with them," she said.

The only pelvic floor specialist in the Northland, Jackson received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, and completed further coursework to treat specialty pelvic floor conditions through the American Physical Therapy Association.

Visits require a referral from a primary care provider, gynecologist or urologist.

Conditions treated include:

• Stress incontinence — urinary leakage when sneezing or coughing.

• Urgency incontinence — sudden and increased urgency to go. “It’s called Key in the Lock Syndrome,” Jackson said. “When you’re trying to get the key in as fast as you can so you can run to the bathroom (because) you feel like you can’t wait.”

• Fecal incontinence — stool leakage when passing gas or feeling like you don’t have control of your bowels.

• Rectal, vaginal or vulvar pain.

• Prostate issues resulting in symptoms related to urinary, bowel or sexual function, which also may include pain.

• Pain with sexual activity.

• Pregnancy-related issues during or after pregnancy.