Shockwave therapy for painful sex is one of the most promising and least understood tools in pelvic health, and this episode of The Hole Shebang breaks it down without the hype. Kristen Parise sits down with Stacey Roberts, a physical therapist and registered nurse who is co principal investigator on a study using shockwave for painful sex, to explain what the technology actually does, why blood flow changes everything for a guarded pelvic floor, and how the same science reaches erectile dysfunction and incontinence. If sex hurts and you have been told to just relax, this conversation offers a real explanation and real hope.
This episode is brought to you by SRC Health. Shop SRC garments at blueberrytherapyshop.ca and use the code SRC15 for 15% off.
What you will learn
Stacey explains the difference between true shockwave and the many devices that borrow the name, how flooding tissue with blood flow lets an upregulated pelvic floor soften and let go, and why she pairs shockwave with pelvic floor physiotherapy in her research and her clinic. You will also hear why the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause makes so much ache at once, why the marketed pelvic floor chair is often the wrong tool, and the plain truth about painful sex that no glass of wine will ever fix.
In this episode
- [00:00] Sports medicine to a women's health clinic on Australia's Gold Coast
- [03:40] Why a physiotherapist went back to school to become a nurse
- [04:45] The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause and hormones as anti inflammatories
- [06:50] The Pain Free Formula and reducing pain without surgery or drugs
- [12:00] The one belief about pain she wants to blow up
- [14:00] Shockwave explained, and the wild west of devices that borrow the name
- [15:30] Shockwave for painful sex and the upregulated pelvic floor
- [16:30] The research: pelvic floor physio plus sham versus plus active shockwave
- [20:50] Shockwave for erectile dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide
- [23:20] Leaking after prostate surgery and blood flow as nourishment
- [25:00] Why the chair is often the wrong tool for a tight pelvic floor
- [34:30] Painful sex and the one thing she would say to someone told to grin and bear it
About Stacey Roberts
Stacey Roberts, PT RN MSN, is a physical therapist and registered nurse with more than thirty years of clinical experience. She owns New You Health and Wellness in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, teaches shockwave therapy to clinicians across North America, hosts The Pain Free Formula podcast, and wrote The Pain Free Formula. She is co principal investigator on a study using shockwave for painful sex.
Theme Song: I'll Be There for You by The Rembrandts
Key topics covered: shockwave therapy, painful sex, dyspareunia, the upregulated pelvic floor, erectile dysfunction, post prostatectomy incontinence, musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, hormones, gut health.
Our Sponsor: SRC Health
SRC makes medical grade compression garments for pregnancy, bladder leaks and mild pelvic organ prolapse. The Restore short is the one Kristen reaches for most in clinic. It supports your pelvic organs while you and your pelvic floor physiotherapist do the strengthening work.
Blueberry Therapy has carried SRC garments for years. Shop the full range at Blueberry Shop, same price as buying direct and shipped from the clinic in Canada. Use the code SRC15 for 15% off.
Many extended health plans cover compression garments with a prescription, so check your benefits before you assume you are paying out of pocket.
Resources and references mentioned
Listen to more episodes like this (all at podcast.blueberrytherapy.ca)
- Painful Sex: When Your Body is Not the Problem with Dr. Jordin Wiggins
- Vaginismus Isn't in Your Head and Here's Why with Dr. Janelle Frederick
- Erections and Heart Health: The Vital Sign Men Ignore with Dr. Elliot Justin
- Pelvic Pain Is a Symptom, Not a Diagnosis with Dr. Alopi Patel
- The Intersection of Menopause and Sexual Health with Dr. Maureen Slattery
Connect with Stacey
Website newyouhealthandwellness.com, her podcast The Pain Free Formula, and TikTok @the_pain_free_formula.
Work with us
Wondering whether your pelvic floor is behind your pain or painful sex? Book a pelvic health assessment at blueberrytherapy.ca, and we offer virtual visits across Ontario. Subscribe to The Hole Shebang at podcast.blueberrytherapy.ca, and if this episode helped you, leave a review and tell us what you want to hear next.
Connect with The Hole Shebang on Instagram @blueberrytherapypelvichealth.
