Patients' Testimonials
“If you are suffering from chronic pelvic pain, PHRC is going to be an essential part of your recovery. They have been for me.
I have been struggling with chronic pelvic pain for over a year. This condition has taken me from enjoying an active life in San Francisco with a thriving and meaningful career, a wonderful husband, and an active toddler to living a life where I can't work and can contribute only minimally to my family and community. My days have become a struggle to endure the persistent and severe pain I feel while also trying to find the right health care professionals to help me. And sometimes I'm not sure what takes more effort. I'm writing this review because I want to make sure that if there are other women out there who are fighting my fight, and they haven't already connected with PHRC, that they will call them as soon as they finish reading!
It is widely known that Stephanie Prendergast, Liz Rummer and the whole team at PHRC are THE experts in identifying and treating many pelvic disorders and related pain in the Bay Area if not beyond. I have seen a slew of doctors of both traditional and alternative medicines locally and in Los Angeles over the last year and they have all at some point referred me to PHRC. Luckily I began seeing Tanya Goodrich in March of last year - not too long after my problems started - and then Stephanie Prendergast - starting in August when Tanya went out to have her baby. I can't say enough about both Tanya and Stephanie's commitment to me and helping me to get better. They have - without a doubt - been the most effective members of a very uncoordinated team of health care professionals who have evaluated and treated me over the past year.
For one, Stephanie knows EVERYBODY so she is a great source for referrals. She has introduced me to several wonderful doctors who are now working on my case and adding a lot of value. She also has no hesitation about asking critical questions and relentlessly pushing everyone - most importantly the doctors - to keep working until they figure out what is wrong. She has been my best advocate and I can always count on her intelligence, persistence, clarity and kindness. Honestly, I feel like if I had not found Tanya and then Stephanie when I did, I would today be hunched over helpless in the corner of my bedroom. Instead, I have hope that I will recover my health and my life. And it helps tremendously knowing that there are some wonderful souls down at PHRC who are standing right by my side, working towards the same outcome. They have never let me down.
I also want to add, and this is important, that from the first day I called to schedule an appointment with PHRC, my experience with them has been top-notch. They have very effective procedures in place to ensure consistent communication and a high level of customer service. The office staff is extremely caring and competent. I don't think I can say that about many of the doctors I have gone to see. Even if a doctor's good, I more often than not have to put up with a dysfunctional office environment that oftentimes leads to a great deal of frustration, the last thing you need when you are suffering from chronic pain. I have never been frustrated with PHRC. Lastly, although I was concerned initially about their fees and how I was going to afford them, my insurance has provided pretty good reimbursement (about 2/3's before I hit my out-of-network deductible and then they paid 100%). But, in retrospect, I seriously would have paid double! I am hugely grateful for Stephanie and the PHRC team!”
“About 18 months ago I started getting unexplained daily stabbing pain in my private parts.....heavy and constant. I saw numerous doctors, but all exams and tests did not disclose anything of significance. Not knowing what to do, I tried everything from medications, lotions, powders, creams, sitz baths, vitamins, exercise, hypnotism, acupuncture, even tried a voodoo-type of treatment. (yes voodoo!) Nothing changed. The pain became so bad that I decided to surf the internet to look for help. That's when I found PHRC. However I still was apprehensive since I wasn't sure if they treated male pelvic pain (yes they do) and what to expect, i.e. the fear of the unknown. These worries caused me to delay calling them for a few more months. Finally the pain got to me and I decided to make an appointment.
The office staff from the very first visit, is friendly, professional, and welcoming. That put me at ease. My therapist, Liz Rummer, was very thorough and explained everything in detail. I soon discovered that I was "in good hands" (literally). Both Liz and her co-owner, Stephanie, are national speakers on the subject of pelvic pain. They are up-to-date on the latest treatment methods available. Each patient is given a customized treatment plan. Much to my relief, the therapy treatments are not painful (another initial fear I had that delayed my call to them). I found the recovery time to be gradual and steady. I'm finally feeling normal again and can honestly say that PHRC is the reason since nothing else had worked. My only regret is that I did not call much earlier because of my fears. I could have avoided many months of pain.”
“I am happy to have the opportunity to publicly appreciate the caring and dedication that I experience each time I enter their office. Most doctors and health care professionals are not educated about this part of the body, and they "don't want to go there". The Pelvic Health and Rehab Center specifically specializes in dealing with the kind of pain I have been living with! Finally!! I can feel the many years of experience in Stephanie's hands and in the answers to ALL of my questions. She works hard each appointment to make the best use of the time. I am getting solid help with both healing, AND managing my situation. Everyone in this efficient office is genuinely friendly, concerned and understanding. Jenni is always willing to do whatever it takes to find the appointment times I need. Phone calls are returned quickly. I feel very lucky to have this rare and crucial resource in my life.”
“I ran all the way to BART, down the stairs and hustled to my door, without ONE drop or even feeling like I would leak!! I cannot believe it. Thank you so much!!”
“Marcy was flat out awesome, especially for a supposed trainee. She has a very warm and disarming personality which always made me feel comfortable. On top of that, she is extremely well trained and proficient at pelvic floor rehab, and did a good job adapting to my needs . I can't help but feel lucky to have gotten a USC trained PT for free for so many visits and I am really grateful to Liz for recognizing my financial needs and coming up with a good solution.”
”I'm very glad I decided to try another treatment option when I reach a plateau with my previous provider. Your wonderful staff of physical therapists got me to move forward with minimizing my pelvic pain.Since I'm an out of town patient I was looking for someone who would truly follow up on my progress. Your clinic has done that for me. Your dedication to creating a network of knowledge with other PT's is remarkable. As a patient it makes you feel part of a huge family who are all working together to get patient well. I can't thank you enough!”
“I really cannot say enough about my experience with Tanya. She took me in, explained exactly what was going on every step of the way and has been an incredibly kind, supportive voice during what can be some pretty awkward treatment. I've learned so much through this experience, and am so pleased to have found a community of like-minded medical professionals willing to think outside the box. Thank you for everything! Also, Jill is awesome too. :o)”
“I never knew something like Pelvic health rehab existed and I am so glad to have found you. Tanya is just amazing and I have truly seen the difference in so many ways and can't thank Tanya enough for her help. Every time I walk in, I am always greeted with friendly smiles. The experience at PHR is all around fun, friendly but very professional. I have and will continue to recommend PHR. Thanks again!!”
“Probably my best interaction with medical providers EVER.”
“With pelvic physical therapy, it really makes one become quite vulnerable (being half naked), but Marcy made it the most comfortable experience. She makes it enjoyable and fun to work with her, while still being professional and knowledgeable with any question I throw her way. I actually have fun and enjoy coming in seeing both Jenny and Marcy. They are both so wonderful/flexible by working with me to get the most reimbursement from my medical insurance. Additionally, I want to say how great it is to have open email communication and accessibility to Marcy with questions/feedback etc. She has always been very quick to respond with thorough answers that relieve any qualms or fears I may have. I feel very lucky to have been diagnosed by a wonderful doctor and for her referring me to this group where I feel everyone is looking out for my best interest and well being. THANK YOU!”
“If you are suffering from vulvar pain that no 'specialist' has figured out, you really should pay these women a visit. I went thinking, 'well, might not work, but after all the failures, I might as well try this." The women who work here are the most polite, well-mannered, compassionate, and caring medical providers I have seen during this long journey of unexplained pain. I can only say that I wish I can visited them earlier, because after countless medical interventions, their physical therapy seems to be the only thing I've tried that helps with my pain levels.”
“Who knew there would be a place that is just focused on medical issues with your pelvic area? I wish I had about two years earlier than I did, to deal with ongoing post-pregnancy/birth internal pain. They're young and cool and cutting-edge, and outfitted me with exercises and "trigger point" massaging that eliminated my pain. Just like that. Thanks, Stephanie! What stunk was driving from the East Bay to SF for each visit. It took about 5 visits maybe? At the time they were the only ones in the Bay Area with this specialty, so I had to do it. But now - THEY'RE OPENING AN OFFICE IN OAKLAND! East Bay-ers can now rejoice. And i know there are a lot of you. Sadly, people tend to live with this kind of pain, or inability to pee, or leaking, because its just not something that's talked about for some reason. But pregnancy and birth wreaks havoc on your body. If you're having some sort of problem, there is no need to grin and bear it! You can hop right on over to the PHARC in SF or in Oakland and take care of it so you can get on with your life.”
“The staff at PHRC are amazing. So friendly and so professional. Working with Tanya has been fantastic. After living with pain for almost 2 years and having doctors recommend surgery and prescription drugs, Tanya helped me get better with physical therapy, exercise, and breathing and relaxation techniques. Thank you PHRC!”
“I have had nothing but positive experiences at the center. Jill greets me by name when I arrive for my appts and is very efficient when I pay for treatments and schedule next appts. Tanya has been a really great therapist. She is so friendly and from the moment she introduced herself, I felt comfortable working with her. She's always interested in hearing about my progress between treatments. Tanya knows when to push me to move forward with additional exercises outside of treatments and when to move more slowly when things aren't going as well as we think they should.”
“In the fall of 2010 I gave birth to my first baby and discovered my pelvic floor had not survived pregnancy and delivery all that well. I couldn't even pee one drop. Scary. Then I was referred to the fabulous Stephanie Prendergast. She has been treating me with top notch expertise and absolute professionalism. And I can pee again! What a relief! Though I think I'm a complicated case, she has a way of making me feel like I'm not out of the norm of who they treat. I am so relieved that her staff exist - I had never heard of a pelvic floor physical therapist before I found myself in extreme need of one. Yeay!”