The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Do you notice…
frequent urination day or night?
difficulty emptying your bladder?
a “falling out” feeling in your pelvis?
trouble with constipation?
difficulty controlling bowel movements?

Do you have…
painful urination?
painful bowel movements?
painful intercourse?
pain in your genitals?
pain when you squat and/or stand?

Do you ever leak urine…
when you cough or sneeze?
on the way to the bathroom?
when you stand up?
during exercise?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, these symptoms could be related to your pelvic floor muscles, which are basically a bowl-shaped set of muscles that support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right. There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor and I’m proud to be one.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options. There’s significant and exciting research out there about treatments for urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Beloved Savannah pediatrician Dr. Ben Spitalnik @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah shares everything you need to know about the upcoming flu vaccine season here. 

Find out here who should get the flu vaccine; when the best time is for your child to get the flu vaccine; the flu shot vs. nasal flu spray vaccine; how effective the vaccine is; when the flu season typically spikes in the Savannah area.

Pediatrics Associates of Savannah locations

Pediatric Associates in Savannah
4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100,
Savannah 31404
912.355.2462

Pediatric Associates of Savannah in Pooler
110 Medical Park Drive
Pooler 31322
912.330.5010

Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Whitemarsh Is.
1001 Memorial Dr
Savannah 31410
912.898.9800

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Here’s your chance to have an exclusive Q&A with Savannah pediatrician Dr. Chintak B. Patel @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah.

Follow this link to submit your question for the chance to have it answered by Dr. Patel.

On Aug. 29, check back on the SouthernMamas Facebook page for the video of Dr. Patel answering your questions. The video with answers to your questions will also be spotlighted in the SouthernMamas.com Weekly e-letter to our subscribers on Wed. Aug. 29.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Are you having low back or pelvic pain and are pregnant? With an increase in the hormone relaxin making our joints and ligaments have more laxity and the increase in weight and size of our abdomens, pregnancy puts great demand on our bodies.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right. There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor and I’m proud to be one.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options.

Physical therapists can teach you exercises to help strengthen your core and hips as your baby and belly are growing! We can also teach you safer ways to move to protect the spine. If needed, we can even try some taping techniques or instruct in braces that may help to take some load off of your spine or to help stabilize your pelvis. Pregnancy should be an exciting time in your life. Don’t let pain take that away from you.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We appreciate the Safe Sleep post by Savannah pediatrician Dr Brandy Gheesling on the Pediatric Associates of Savannah web site here.

Dr. Gheesling writes: “As I prepare for the arrival of my third child, I have been busy getting everything together for the nursery. There are so many different gadgets and sleeping devices available, so I thought it would be a good time to review what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends for safe sleep. “

“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby less than 1 year of age that usually occurs while they are sleeping.  Sadly, per the AAP Policy Statement on SIDS published in 2016, “Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the US from sleep related deaths, including SIDS and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.”   

Dr. Gheesling reminds us that parents’ behaviors and health can also affect our baby’s SIDS risk.

“Parents should avoid smoke exposure, alcohol, and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.Pregnant women should obtain regular and early prenatal care. Breastfeeding is recommended and has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50% if the baby is exclusively breastfed for the first month of life,” writes Dr. Gheesling.

Read Dr. Gheesling’s Safe Sleep post in its entirety here.

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Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Looking for a pediatrician in the Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill area?

Below is some help. (Need a pediatric dentist? Find that list here.)

SouthCoast Health Pediatrics locations

Savannah: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Savannah
Eisenhower Drive Medical Center
310 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 16
912.303.3500

Richmond Hill: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Richmond Hill
St. Joseph’s / Candler Medical Office Park
10055 Ford Ave,Ste 4A
912.527.5352

Rincon: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Rincon
814 Towne Park Dr East
912.826.4866

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Coastal Pediatrics locations

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler St.
Savannah 31405
912.353.7744

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler 31322
912.353.7744

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Pediatrics Associates of Savannah locations

Pediatric Associates in Savannah
4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100,
Savannah 31404
912.355.2462

Pediatric Associates of Savannah in Pooler
110 Medical Park Drive
Pooler 31322
912.330.5010

Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Whitemarsh Is.
1001 Memorial Dr
Savannah 31410
912.898.9800

SouthCoast Health, Coastal Pediatrics & Pediatrics Associates of Savannah are SouthernMamas.com advertisers 

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Have you ever done Kegel exercises? Kegels are exercises that target the pelvic floor, which are basically a bowl-shaped set of muscles that support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus.

But even if you regularly do Kegels, you could still suffer from urinary incontinence or pelvic pain or overactive bladder. The reason could be that you’re not firing your pelvic floor muscles properly. As many as 1 out of 2 women do not properly activate their pelvic floor muscles.

As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I can work with you one-on-one to make sure you are successfully activating your pelvic floor. It can be accomplished in as little as one visit!

At Optim Therapy’s Pelvic Health & Wellness Program, our goal is to provide a comfortable environment with individualized treatment programs to make sure you receive the most from each of your visits.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

You asked and baby expert Dr. Brandy Gheesling has answered!

Thank you for submitting your questions to our Pediatric Associates of Savannah Q&A.

Here’s the video of Dr. Gheesling answering questions submitted by SouthernMamas.com readers.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The following is a guest post for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

Your pelvic floor muscles are very important.  They support your internal organs, give you urinary and fecal continence, and help to stabilize your core.  So why don’t we hear about exercise programs for the pelvic floor? Just like your other muscles, you need to work on getting them stronger.

Let’s use our bicep muscle as an example.  When you bend your arm, your bicep muscle has to contract (or shorten) and this will lift your arm.  If you couldn’t lift your arm or you had pain, you’d be very concerned, right?

Can your pelvic floor muscles contract through their full range of motion?  Are you leaking urine or having pain in your pelvic region? It could mean your pelvic floor muscles might not be strong enough or you might not be firing them properly.  As a pelvic floor therapist, I can examine you and teach you the proper way to fire your pelvic floor muscles.

Besides being able to contract a muscle, you also have to be able to relax it.  Going back to the bicep muscle example, for you to be able to straighten your elbow all of the way, the bicep muscle has to relax.  If there are any tight parts in the bicep muscle, it may hurt to straighten your arm or it may feel tight. These restrictions can lead to pain, altered movement, and further dysfunction.   

Your pelvic floor muscles are just like any other muscle in your body.  They have to be able to fully contract and fully relax. The overall tone and mobility of the muscles cannot be hindered or this could lead to dysfunction (i.e. urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, etc.).

At your first visit to Optim Therapy’s Pelvic Health & Wellness Program, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The team is growing @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah is proud to welcome Dr. Christopher Rogers to their practice.

Learn more about Dr. Rogers here. 

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Pediatric Associates of Savannah has offices in Savannah, the Islands and Pooler. Learn more here.

Stay connected with Pediatric Associates of Savannah & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Facebook here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.comOn Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

We’re excited to kick off our partnership with Pediatric Associates to offer you an exclusive Q&A opportunity.

Follow this link to submit your question for the chance to have it answered by baby expert Dr. Brandy Gheesling.

On Aug. 1, check back on the SouthernMamas Facebook page for the video of Dr. Gheesling answering your questions!

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Attention expectant parents.

Pediatrics Associates of Savannah invites you to a free “Baby Basics” class at 6PM Thursday July 12 2018.

This class is FREE to expectant families (but reservations requested).

Come join Dr Brandy Gheesling (pictured here). Held after office hours the first Thursday of each month, at the Waters Ave location. Space will be limited, so to register or for more information about the class please email BabyBasics@pedsav.com or call  (912) 355-2462.

Classes are offered on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm at Pediatrics Associates of Savannah main office (4600 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA).

New Pediatric Associates Web site

Pediatric Associates of Savannah has a brand new and improved Web site! Check it out at pedsav.com.

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Pediatric Associates of Savannah has offices in Savannah, the Islands and Pooler. Learn more here.

Stay connected with Pediatric Associates of Savannah & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Facebook here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.comOn Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Coastal Pediatrics in Savannah & Pooler welcomes a new pediatrician to their team: Dr. Richard S. Callan, Jr.

Don’t forget to schedule your child’s back to school check-up. This would be a great opportunity to meet Dr. Callan!

Coastal Pediatrics has offices in Savannah and Pooler. Call 353-7744 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Callan received his undergraduate degree in 2009 from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Biology, graduating Cum Laude. In 2015, he graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine and received his M.D. There, he was elected into the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism Honor Society. He completed his pediatric residency in 2018 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, where he was awarded Intern of the Year as well as the Deborah Sims Fulmer, M.D. Resident Excellence in Teaching award.

Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Dr. Callan and his wife, Katherine, have lived in Savannah for the past 7 years. They look forward to raising their young daughter, Caroline, near the coast.

Learn more about Coastal Pediatrics here.

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler Street
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler, GA 31322

Coastal Pediatrics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Summer appointments @ Pooler Pediatric Dentistry  are going, going…but not quite gone.

Call today to schedule: (912) 376-9296

Dr. Carla G. Stappenbeck is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with degrees from Harvard University and the University of Maryland and a certificate from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is excited to be serving Chatham and the surrounding counties.

Pooler Pediatric Dentistry
120 Towne Center Drive, Suite 500
Pooler, GA 31322
912-376-9296
Email: frontdesk@poolerpd.com

Why choose a pediatric dentist versus a general dentist who treats children?

As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Carla has an extra two years of specialized training (residency) after dental school and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years, including those with special health care needs. As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, she has voluntarily undergone vigorous written and oral exams, which demonstrate specialized knowledge and skill. In order to maintain her certification, she must complete yearly continuing education requirements to stay up-to-date with developments in both technology and patient care.

Dr. Carla is fluent in both English and Spanish (Se Habla Español).

Learn more here.

Stay connected by ‘liking’ Pooler Pediatric Dentistry on Facebook here. 

Pooler Pediatric Dentistry, poolerpd.com, 120 Towne Center Drive, Suite 500 Pooler, 31322, 912-376-9296, email frontdesk@poolerpd.com, On Facebook here.     Pooler Pediatric Dentistry is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Summer Speech Therapy

Summer is a great time for private speech therapy services!

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island is happy to help continue your child’s therapy progress through the school summer break. They are flexible with their time slots, making therapy convenient to busy families.

To make an appointment, please contact The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire: 912 235 2166

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

A new speech therapist is joining the team @ The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island in Savannah.

The team at the Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is growing. They are so happy to introduce their new speech pathologist, Abby Stuckey CCC-SLP.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire therapists are all nationally certified and state licensed with experience working with children of all ages. Abby is very excited to get started at TSCCE.

To make an appointment, please contact  The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire @ 912 235 2166

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Attention expectant parents.

Pediatrics Associates of Savannah invites you to a free “Baby Basics” class at 6PM on the first Thursday of each month.

This class is FREE to expectant families (but reservations requested).

Come join Dr Brandy Gheesling (pictured here). Held after office hours the first Thursday of each month, at the Waters Ave location. Space will be limited, so to register or for more information about the class please email BabyBasics@pedsav.com or call  (912) 355-2462.

Classes are offered on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm at Pediatrics Associates of Savannah main office (4600 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA).

New Pediatric Associates Web site

Pediatric Associates of Savannah has a brand new and improved Web site! Check it out at pedsav.com.

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Pediatric Associates of Savannah has offices in Savannah, the Islands and Pooler. Learn more here.

Stay connected with Pediatric Associates of Savannah & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Facebook here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.comOn Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Do you have concerns about your child’s speech/language development, but have a busy schedule?

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island in Savannah can help.

The therapists at The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire are happy to provide services at your child’s daycare or preschool. They also have a very flexible schedule at their office on Wilmington Island.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Is. can work with your family’s schedule.

To make an appointment, please contact our office- 912 235 2166.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Summer Services

Summer is a great time for private speech therapy services.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island in Savannah is happy to help continue your child’s therapy progress through the school summer break. They are flexible with their time slots, making therapy convenient to busy families.

To make an appointment, please contact their office: 912 235 2166.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Feeding Issues

Is your child a picky eater? Are mealtimes stressful?

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire in Savannah can help! Their therapists can evaluate your child’s oral motor abilities and determine if there are any sensitivities.

To make an appointment, please contact their office: 912-235-2166

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island is now accepting new referrals.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire in Savannah is In-Network for most insurance, including:

Medicaid, Amerigroup, Peach State, Care Source, Aetna, Cigna, BC/BS, Tricare, etc.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire in Savannah would be happy to look into your therapy coverage.

Please contact their office: 912 235 2166

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island is now accepting new referrals.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Convenient Service Locations

Speech therapy on Wilmington Island! No need to drive across town for speech therapy services.

The therapists at The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire in Savannah are available to provide treatment at their office location on Wilmington Island, or at daycares/private preschools. The goal is to make speech therapy services more convenient for families with busy schedules.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island is now accepting new referrals. Please contact their office at 912 235 2166.

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Impact of Hearing Issues/Ear Infections

Do you have concerns about your child’s hearing? Do they have a history or ear infections?

Your child may not be hearing well if they are: not following directions well, often ask for repetition of what you said, respond slowly or don’t respond when spoken to, or having trouble paying attention.

Persistent ear infections can have major impacts on your child hearing due to fluid in the middle ear.

Imagine if you were trying to hear something underwater- That is what it might sound like to your child. This can affect their acquisition of speech and language.

Once the ear infections are treated, the therapists at The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Island in Savannah can help assess and treat any speech/language delays.

To schedule an evaluation, please contact The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire at 912 235 2166

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Articulation 

Is it difficult to understand your child’s speech? Are there certain sounds that your child struggle with?

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire on Wilmington Is. in Savannah can help!

The Speech Clinic’s therapists can complete a full articulation evaluation, assessing each speech sound, and the results will help determine if therapy is needed. The Speech Clinic’s therapists are equipped with strategies to work on any erred speech sound.

To schedule an evaluation, please contact our office: 912-235-2166

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire
315 Johnny Mercer Blvd, Suite D
Wilmington Island
Savannah, GA 31410
912.235.2166
email: TSCCoastalEmpire@gmail.com

The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser