Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Pulickal
Hi Theresa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My clinical background began in pediatrics, particularly working with children suffering from severe neurological impairments, I have carved out a unique and impactful career in healthcare. Today my expertise spans beyond the traditional, specializing in musculoskeletal injuries and, notably, Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Dysfunction.
My passion lies in pelvic health, where I offers an array of services to a diverse group of patients, including fertility patients, pregnant and postpartum parents, and specialty pelvic floor diagnosis that mainstream medicine categorizes as “in your head” or “it’s normal”; But what truly sets me apart is my ability to blend the best of Eastern and Western medicine. I’m not limited by traditional approaches and this forward-thinking mindset has led me to create highly personalized treatment plans that address both body and mind.
From internal pelvic floor assessments to uterine massage, and even treatments for blocked mammary ducts, I cater to a wide range of needs. My treatment approach includes everything from cranial sacral therapy and yoga to advanced methods like kinesiology taping and myofascial decompression (cupping). I also integrates unique therapies such as pelvic steaming, visceral manipulation, and the use of an amethyst bio-mat.
My commitment is to making my practice a welcoming space for everyone. My clinic is designed to be diverse, inclusive, and accepting—an environment where all patients, regardless of their background, can feel safe and supported. For busy parents, I offer the option to bring your children to appointments.
The ultimate goal is simple: helping her patients return to a pain-free, healthy lifestyle. Many begin with a specific treatment plan but stay on for wellness follow-up visits, ensuring long-term support on their healing journey. In my hands, holistic health isn’t just an option; it’s an ongoing partnership in wellness.
As healthcare continues to evolve, I stands at the forefront, offering a comprehensive, compassionate, and inclusive approach that truly breaks barriers in pelvic health.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being both a mother and a pelvic floor therapist presents a unique set of challenges that can test one’s professional and personal life balance.
Balancing a busy professional schedule with the demands of motherhood can be daunting. Appointments, follow-ups, and patient care require significant time and attention, while raising children involves its own set of responsibilities, such as school drop-offs, extracurricular activities, and home management. Finding the right balance between these two roles can be a daily struggle.
As a pelvic floor therapist, much of the work involves intimate and sensitive topics like childbirth recovery, fertility issues, and pelvic and abdominal surgeries, which can be emotionally taxing. Adding the emotional demands of parenting, including caring for my own children’s needs and well-being, can sometimes lead to emotional fatigue unless addressed properly.
Pelvic floor therapy often requires physical work, including manual techniques such as massage, stretching, and soft tissue manipulation. This can take a toll on the body, particularly while also balancing the physical demands of motherhood—carrying children, managing household tasks, or recovering from my own postpartum period. Managing self-care and avoiding injury becomes crucial.
It can be challenging to separate personal and professional roles, especially when dealing with similar issues that may overlap between work and home. This can blur the lines between personal experience and professional duty, making it harder to establish emotional boundaries.
As an expert in pelvic health, there may be internal or external pressure to adhere to the advice I give my clients. Sometimes I might feel added pressure to maintain optimal pelvic health despite my own personal struggles. This can lead to stress or feelings of inadequacy.
Therapy often requires face-to-face time with patients, which can make the job less flexible than other professions. This may conflict with the unpredictable nature of motherhood, such as dealing with sick children or emergencies, making it difficult to maintain a consistent work schedule.
There is often an expectation, both in society and within the family unit, that mothers should be the primary caregivers. These societal pressures can add an additional layer of complexity when managing a demanding career, potentially leading to feelings of guilt or anxiety about not “doing enough” in either role.
By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, a pelvic floor therapist who is also a mother can strive to find a balance between these demanding roles, ensuring both patients and family get the best care possible while prioritizing my own well-being.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Holistic Approach Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that span the bottom of the pelvis, supporting organs like the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. These muscles play a key role in functions such as urinary and bowel control, sexual function, and childbirth.
Pelvic floor physical therapy aims to restore strength, flexibility, coordination, and function to these muscles, addressing issues that may arise from injury, trauma, surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, aging, or medical conditions.
Common Conditions Treated by Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:
Urinary Incontinence: Difficulty controlling urine, including stress incontinence (leakage during activities like coughing or exercise) and urge incontinence (a sudden, intense need to urinate).
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: When pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum drop or press against the vaginal wall due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic Pain: Chronic pain in the pelvic region, which can be caused by muscle dysfunction, nerve irritation, or scar tissue from surgeries or trauma.
Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Pain during or after intercourse, often related to muscle tension or tightness in the pelvic floor.
Postpartum Recovery: Addressing issues such as diastasis recti (abdominal separation), perineal tearing, pelvic organ prolapse, or urinary incontinence following childbirth.
Constipation and Bowel Disorders: Difficulty in bowel movements due to muscle coordination issues.
Fecal Incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements due to weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles.
Sexual Dysfunction: Pain during sexual activity or reduced sexual function due to pelvic muscle problems or scarring.
Men’s Pelvic Health: Conditions like prostatitis, post-prostatectomy incontinence, or pelvic pain syndromes can also be addressed with pelvic floor physical therapy.
Pelvic floor physical therapy uses a combination of hands-on techniques, education, and exercises to improve the function of the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding areas. Treatment may include:
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: Exercises like Kegels to strengthen or relax the muscles, depending on the condition. A therapist may use biofeedback or manual cues to help the patient correctly engage the muscles.
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques, such as myofascial release or trigger point release, to address muscle tightness, spasms, or scar tissue.
Education and Lifestyle Modifications: Teaching patients about bladder and bowel habits, posture, and techniques to minimize strain on the pelvic floor during daily activities.
Postural and Breathing Techniques: Optimizing posture and breath control to alleviate strain on the pelvic floor and promote proper muscle function.
Biofeedback: This technique uses sensors and a monitor to help patients visualize their pelvic muscle activity and learn how to better control these muscles.
Relaxation and Stretching Exercises: For conditions like pelvic pain or hypertonicity (tight muscles), therapy focuses on relaxing and lengthening the muscles.
Visceral Manipulation: Techniques to improve organ mobility and function, often applied when adhesions or tightness in the connective tissues surrounding pelvic organs are present.
Cupping or Gua Sha: Some therapists may use adjunct therapies like cupping or gua sha to improve circulation and relieve muscle tightness in the pelvic area.
I offer telehealth or virtual consultations to provide flexibility. Telehealth options are particularly useful for follow-ups and education sessions.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
San Diego has a lot to love! Here’s what I think stands out:
What I like best:
The Weather: San Diego’s mild, sunny climate is amazing, with around 70°F year-round. It’s perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and just relaxing.
Beaches: The coastline is stunning, with places like Pacific Beach and La Jolla offering everything from tide pools to surfing spots.
Outdoor Activities: From Balboa Park’s museums and gardens to Torrey Pines hiking trails, there’s always something active to do.
Cultural Diversity: The city has a mix of cultures, with a lively food scene that includes Mexican, Asian, and Mediterranean influences.
What I like least:
Cost of Living: San Diego is expensive, particularly housing. That can be a challenge.
Traffic: While it’s not as bad as LA, traffic can still be frustrating, especially during peak hours.
Wildfire Season: Dry conditions and Santa Ana winds create a high risk of wildfires, especially in the late summer and fall. It can be worrying and affect air quality.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Pelvic_Floor_Wellness
- Other: https://drtheresapulickaldptholisticapproachtherapy.setmore.com/
Image Credits
(Last Photo) Aubree Lynn Photo by Aubree Lynn Fulham
