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Hazel Physical Therapy

Joanna Hess, PT, DPT, PRC, PWCS
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy

At Hazel Physical Therapy, we are experienced, compassionate, evidence-based, board certified specialists in pelvic health placing patients at the heart of our care philosophy. With more than 15 years of hands-on experience and a commitment to ongoing education, Dr. Joanna Hess brings a refreshing, trauma-informed, inclusive and practical perspective to the field of physical therapy for West Philadelphia.

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At Hazel Physical Therapy, we identify interconnected causes to simplify the confusion and complexity associated with pelvic health. We offer the support and expertise needed to empower you to take ownership of your recovery journey and regain confidence in your body.  High-quality pelvic health care should be accessible in Philly because when our neighbors feel better in their bodies, our whole community is stronger.

 

Our clinical focus addresses pelvic health issues, like pelvic pain, urinary and fecal incontinence, prolapse, prenatal and postpartum issues, menopause transitions, constipation, abdominal pain, care after abdomino-pelvic surgeries, and facilitating a safe return to physical activity.

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Dr. Joanna Hess intertwines traditional and innovative techniques to address the overall well-being of her patients helping them achieve their health goals. We collaborate closely with other healthcare providers to ensure you receive comprehensive and optimal care as a whole person, not a body part.

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Harmony in Motion

Connecting pelvic health to the whole person

Services

MV - Lichens sclerosis & vulvodynia

Joanna is an exceptional pelvic floor physical therapist (PFPT). I came to Joanna's practice after years of experiencing painful sex due to a combination of overactive pelvic floor dysfunction and Lichen Sclerosus. Joanna immediately put me at ease - she is warm, SO funny, and incredibly skilled and knowledgeable. In just a few weeks of working together, she helped me get to a place where I could have pain-free sex with my husband - for the first time ever! I call her the “pelvic floor whisperer” - the way she is able to understand where tension might be coming from and release it is unreal. She has a sixth sense.  She approached my symptoms through a holistic lens - we worked on my sitting posture, talked about my diet and how constipation can impact the pelvic floor (I introduced way more fiber into my diet thanks to her!), discussed hormones and lubrification (hello topical oestrogens ), and even sex positions that could help ease the pain and/or make me feel powerful and confident. Throughout, she used a healthy dose of humor and a great amount of care and emotional intelligence to make me feel seen, welcome, and supported during sessions.  Most importantly, she brought me on the learning journey and taught me so much about my body and how everything is connected. She invited me to be curious about my pain and what could be triggering it - I felt like a detective studying my own body. I am basically a pelvic floor expert now! I can name specific pelvic floor muscles and identify when they’re acting up, and I have tools in my toolbox to work towards feeling better.  I have worked with other PFPTs over the years but to me, Joanna remains the gold standard. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

© 2023 by Joanna Hess, PT, DPT

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