August 23, 2024 • 25 mins
Have you ever wondered how a shift in career focus could lead to discovering a true calling? Join us on the Good Neighbor Podcast as we feature Dr. Erin Westner from The Pelvic Method, a specialized physical therapy practice in Chattanooga. Originally set on a path in pediatrics, Dr. Westner’s journey took a transformative turn thanks to a professor's suggestion, leading her to specialize in pelvic health. She shares her compelling story of moving from Ohio to Tennessee and finding a profound sense of purpose in addressing pelvic floor issues. We delve into an especially touching success story of a 60-year-old patient whose life was significantly improved through Dr. Westner’s compassionate care.
This episode is not just about professional milestones; it’s also a deeply personal narrative of resilience. Dr. Westner opens up about overcoming family trauma and sexual abuse, and the support she received from her husband Chris in creating a welcoming, home-like environment for her patients at The Pelvic Method. She emphasizes the unparalleled importance of compassionate care in her practice. We also shine a spotlight on the significance of supporting local businesses in the greater Chattanooga area. Listen in and feel inspired to nominate your favorite local enterprises to be featured in our upcoming episodes, as we continue to celebrate the amazing people making our communities better every day.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Scott Howell.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Hello, good neighbors , and welcome to the Good
Neighbor Podcast brought to youby the Friends and Neighbors
Group of the Greater ChattanoogaArea, including Cleveland and
Dalton and everywhere in between.
Again, my name is Scott Howelland I'm your host.
For all you first-timelisteners out there that might
be wondering, the purpose of theGood Neighbor podcast is
(00:33):
designed to bring awareness tothe residents of our communities
regarding locally owned and oroperated businesses and
practices in, like I said, theentire Chattanooga area, from
everywhere, from Cleveland toDalton and all around.
You know, small localbusinesses are the backbone of
our communities and they reallyneed our support.
(00:54):
And joining me today is ourgood neighbor, dr Aaron Wessner
of the Pelvic Method, a physicaltherapy practice right here in
Chattanooga.
Dr Aaron, it's wonderful tomeet you today.
Thanks for being a specialguest today on the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Thanks for having me, Scott.
I'm excited to chat about allthe things.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Ever since I saw your website before I pressed record
, I was telling you.
You know, before I saw yourwebsite I was like, wow, I
didn't know, this was a thing.
You know, just somebodyfocusing on pelvic issues, and
not only just for women, but Ifound out, for men too.
So I really want to hear allabout it.
But before we jump in into thebusiness side, would you like to
(01:39):
share anything personal aboutyourself or your family maybe?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Sure, yeah.
So I am originally from Batavia, ohio, which is up in up around
Cincinnati, and I moved downhere to pursue the passion of
pelvic health.
So I started my career up thereand I took a job with another
company and moved.
They moved me down to Tennessee.
(02:04):
Basically I had no idea aboutChattanooga really except for
that it was the pass through toget to Florida.
But, and when I got here, I justfell in love with it.
I was like this this is where Iwas, where I need to be, and so
(02:30):
yeah.
So I've been here for going on10 years now actually 10 years
as of January.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
And we?
I ended up meeting my lovelyhusband here and a beautiful two
year old daughter now.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
So congratulations, that sounds like a success story
if we just stopped right there.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Yeah, exactly, telling love with the city and
the people and the person, andnow you've got a two-year-old
you love more than life itself,more than anything.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, you know, it's kind of funny that you mentioned
that you came here for thepelvic method.
So I tell you what I'd like foryou to do.
A couple of questions I hadlined up for was asking you to
talk to me about the pelvicmethod and also to tell me about
your journey.
So if you don't care, just kindof put both those out to you,
just kind of take your time andanswer both those questions.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Sure, yeah, so actually.
So pelvic floor issues are justto kind of round that out a
little bit, it has a lot to dowith the bowel issues, bladder
issues or like pregnancy.
It also has pain in the pelvicregion or reproductive organs or
your, like I said, bowel orbladder.
(03:43):
So, um, it kind of encompassesmore of that area in that
specific stuff.
But so I fell in love with it.
Actually, when I was a student,I actually went into PT school
saying I'm going to dopediatrics, this is what I'm
going to do, um, and was soexcited about that.
And my professor actuallyreached out to me and she was
(04:05):
like Erin, I really think, Ireally think you could do this
and do this.
Wow, like I think you have thatpersonality that could, could
really go places in this field,and I'm like.
I was like no, I don't reallythink that's for me.
But I ended up applying andgoing to a residency program at,
(04:30):
or like a clinical rotation at,a at the University of Michigan
, um, from my school to thatschool and started learning
about it, um, and I have twopatients from that experience.
So, again, this is this is along time ago, since 2011.
So, it's been a long time.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Or actually yeah, 2011.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Anyway, but yeah.
So those two patients reallystood out to me, and it was a.
There was a 60 year old womanwho said my husband and my son
are the two funniest people Iknow, but I cannot go to dinner
or lunch or anything without achange of clothes, wearing pens,
and or we have to usually getit to go because I soak my pants
(05:16):
.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
When I laugh she's like I love, love them to death,
and it's just so.
They're so funny, but I justcan't.
I can't go and do anything umthat we want to do, um without
bringing those, and so and she'slike and that's just.
You know, I'm 60, I'mmenopausal, I'm had a kid and
that's just how it is.
(05:38):
And I'm like, actually, howabout?
Not, how about we change that?
And we started changing smallchanges, but like, the biggest
moment she came on a day thatwas not her appointment.
And if you were, if you know, if, like the, the history of
pelvic floor therapy is thatwe're always kind of like stuck
down a hallway in a corner, in acloset Um, um, and so down the
(06:00):
hallway across the corner.
But I was like I happened to bedown the hallway across the
corner, but I was like Ihappened to be down the hallway
and like my door was right thereat the end of the hallway, um,
and this is again as a studentand she was in the big open gym
area where the right rest ofphysical therapy is, and she
(06:22):
screams.
I didn't pee my pants, I justget chills every time I talk
about it Because, like, howwonderful to change somebody's
life in such a personal andimportant way and that kind of
(06:43):
wrote my story.
From then on I worked reallyhard to get more training in
this and um, develop skills andcontinue to do so, obviously,
but, um, but yeah, so I I took ajob in the hospital setting um
and worked with mother baby unitfor high risk women, um put on
(07:04):
bedrest, um, so I had thatexperience and then um, and then
I also did all kinds of thingsthere, like wound care, icu and
but like all the things I Iwasn't quite all the way in
pelvic floor therapy like Iwanted to be Um, and so I kept
working and kept studying anddoing some more coursework and
(07:26):
finally took a job with anothercompany and they moved me to.
Memphis originally for sometraining, and then they were
like, how about Chattanooga?
And I was like, sure, so that'show I got to Chattanooga with
through another company and Inever really thought or wanted
(07:46):
to open up my own clinic.
I did administrative.
I love teaching, I love talkingabout what I do.
I love teaching people.
I love teaching othertherapists, doctors, everybody
about what we do and how we canhelp, because it is so impactful
in people's lives to talk aboutlike, and I get to talk about
sex and pooping and peeing andall the things.
(08:07):
I hope that's okay to say sexon Um, but yeah, it is.
It is the most fun job and Ilove.
I love chatting about it.
So I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
That's a and you, when you said that about that
lady, you know screaming outwhen she saw you.
You know that everybody else,anybody that didn't know her
story and heard her, might havethought oh my goodness, what is
she?
That was important for her,that was like a major event for
her.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, she got to go to dinner with her husband and
son who came back from collegeand, like she, had been seen,
since he was born like and hewas in college, so like the time
.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
just, you know that's never been my, my personal
issue, but I have a friend thatwas in her.
Her husband is like you said,he is hilarious.
I mean he just make you laughwith just one sentence and and
she was she she had a majorproblem with that.
So I could see where that wouldbe a big thing in that lady's
life for that to happen and tothink you get to talk about all
(09:13):
these issues and you don't evenhave to blush when you talk
about them.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
I know, that's one thing I don't do.
I don't have filters anymore.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Well, remember that if I ever go out to dinner with
you and your husband, I'llremember that you don't have
filters.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
My husband has filters and he makes me have a
filter.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
That is so funny.
So tell me, though you know,because, like I said, when I saw
your website, I didn't knowthat this was a practice.
I didn't know this was a carvedout part of physical therapy.
So what are some of the mythsand misconceptions that
(09:56):
sometimes people have when theycome to you the first time?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
That is a great question.
So most people are scared tocome in because they don't
really know what to expect,because it's dealing with very
private areas, and so the myththat you have to live with
(10:20):
leakage for men and women is notthe case.
The myth that, oh, I'm justgetting older, this is what
happens when you get older, likedryness or erectile dysfunction
or, um, which erectiledysfunction does have an age
component to it, but like it'sstill, there's still like some
muscle component and some bloodflow, nerve stuff that goes on
(10:41):
with that.
So it's really important toencompass all of those things.
But yeah, so there's like oh,this has been going on for 30
plus years, there's no way I canget better quickly.
And or like this is a chronicdisease issue.
Like we have people who havechronic prostatitis for men, or
(11:04):
we have endometriosis for women,or we have interstitial
cystitis for both men and women,and those are like disease
process things that people arelike, well, I can't really get
help for that.
That's not a physical therapything, that's a medical, like I
need medications, I need musclerelaxers, I need this and that,
and that's the only thing that'sgoing to help me.
(11:24):
And that's actually not true.
We actually make huge progresswith these patients and give
them their life back.
Like that's why we do what wedo to give them their life back.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
It's very powerful.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
I mean, you know, dr Erin, that's life changing in
many ways for so many people,because you know, yeah, I mean
that you hear that a lot.
You know ways for so manypeople because you know, yeah, I
mean that you hear that a lot.
You know, I'm just gettingolder, this happens, that
happens.
But when you said it, sometimesit's, it's muscular, I've never
, I never, heard that before.
That's so wow, that's, you know, it's so interesting.
(11:57):
I'm so glad we got you on theshow to talk about this.
But I tell you what you know, Idon't want to talk all business
, because I know, you know, DrErin is not all business.
She does have passion and care.
I can hear it in her voice, Isee it.
I see it on her face.
Y'all can't see her expressions, but I see it.
I see how her smile turnsserious when she talks about
(12:22):
some things.
But for just a moment, let'sstep out of the office.
So you've got a husband, uh,you've got a two-year-old.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
So tell me what does Dr Erin and her family do for
fun when you're not in the intopractice?
Oh, um, yeah, so actually weare kind of um animal crazy
people.
So we, we love going toaquariums and zoos and we have
traveled to many cities to dothat.
Um, we love baseball games andum, yeah, we're just, we like
outdoors.
(12:55):
We're not like I wouldn't saywe're super outdoorsy, like my
husband like is a golfer, likethat's his outdoors kind of
thing.
Um, and I like to hike but likethat's a nice walk on sunday,
but like, I'm not, like, I'm nota like a like a rock climber or
anything like that, but I dolove being outside regardless.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yes, yeah yeah, me too.
I love getting out walking innature and enjoying.
I'm a waterfall chaser, I loveto go find them, waterfalls,
yeah yes, I love, yeah, that'swaterfall chaser.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
I love to go find them waterfalls.
Yeah, yes, I love, yeah, that'smy favorite thing too.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I love to go find them waterfalls, especially the
hidden ones that nobody knowsabout on the map.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Oh, you're going to have to tell me You're going to
divulge all your secrets now.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Oh, you know some of these.
That's a whole nother podcast,dr Erin.
So you know, you said you movedaround a lot and I've had to in
my career as well, you knowmove to a place where you don't
know anybody and kind of startover Things in life, some kind
of throw curve balls and presentchallenges.
Could you describe maybe onehardship or life challenge that
you went through that you know?
Now that you look back and youcame through it, you say, wow,
you know I'm a better andstronger person for what I went
(14:12):
through.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I mean, yeah, I think I think there's a couple of
things probably that led me towhere I am, led me to where I am
.
I attribute it to some familyhistory of trauma and sexual
abuse as a child and my cousinsand having a family history of
that stuff and so, like I think,just helping, trying to be
(14:39):
there to help those people,because the misconception is
that everybody that has sexualtrauma or any kind of emotional
trauma or like, even like thealcoholic parent is also another
story that we hear a lot butthat not everybody that has that
(14:59):
experience has pain or issuesbut also has pain or issues, but
also everybody that has theseissues like pain or dysfunction,
I guess, if you will, or justissues with bowel, bowel bladder
, don't have that backgroundeither.
So there's there's thismisconception that just because
you had trauma, you have theseissues and just because you have
(15:20):
these issues, you must've hadtrauma.
So I want to clear that air.
That's not really how thatworks.
But there is a high prevalenceof people who have trauma in
their past or their familyhistory, um, that do suffer with
issues, um, so there is that Um, and so helping that population
out, I feel like I'm helpingfamily members that never got
(15:42):
help.
Family members that never gothelp um is kind of like that
deeper side of things.
Um, and then from like aprofessional standpoint, I think
, like I I I definitely feltlike I got a lot of pushback and
doing the way we do things nowhere in the public method, um,
it was really difficult to treatpatients the way we wanted them
(16:05):
to be treated, because in thetypical physical therapy
outpatient setting it's kind offor lack of better terms turn
and burn kind of thing, whereyou just have to see high volume
and that's kind of howhealthcare in general is getting
both with your doctor I'm sureyou guys could feel it in your
doctor's offices too where yousee eight, eight to 10 minutes
(16:28):
of your doctor and then they'reon to the next Um and you don't
just get that quality timeanymore.
And so getting a lot ofpushback and getting a lot of um
, like overcoming someadministrative top down, just
feeling restricted in what I wasdoing and then opening up my
(16:51):
practice actually, my husband isthe one that encouraged me
because I never wanted to openup a practice.
It's a lot of work having yourown practice.
It is not for the saints ofheart, but we love what we do
and we thrive and it's beenwonderful.
Um, so we're coming up on umfour years right now in practice
(17:14):
.
But my husband was like I don'tknow why you're doing this for
somebody else.
Like, you are not happy in whatyou're doing.
You come home.
You're not the same person thatI met, you know earlier.
You're getting burnt out andyou're just not a happy camper.
And now my husband says that,um, I come home with a smile on
(17:37):
my face and excited.
He's like you have a ton ofwork you're doing all the time,
but you're happy and I love tosee you happy.
You actually care about whatyou're doing all the time, but
you're happy and I love to seeyou happy.
You actually care about whatyou're doing.
Now.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Yeah, what's your husband's name?
Chris Kudos.
Chris Kudos, you called it.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
He did, he did.
You called it All right, he did.
He knows me pretty darn well.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
I hate to admit it, but hey, better him than a lot
of people.
At least you know somebody whocares about you, knows you're
right Not taking advantage ofyou.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Very, very true.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
You know I've said this before on previous podcasts
.
If you watch very many podcastswhere I'm interviewing a lady
who's got her own practicebusiness and she's successful I
say this a lot.
I was raised by a single mother, so I guess that's probably a
little bit of why I'm this way,but I'm a big fan of successful
(18:32):
women.
I just my mother, struggled alot when I was a child.
She struggled and I saw thosestruggles and so when I see a
lady out there succeeding, I'mso happy for them.
You know, really am, and so Ijust give you big props for that
.
You know, if there was onething, Dr Aaron, that you wish
(18:53):
that our listeners knew about DrAaron and the pelvic method
that they probably wouldn't knowif you didn't tell them and you
like to shout it from therooftops here on the Good
Neighbor podcast what would thatbe?
Speaker 3 (19:07):
The one thing, that about the pelvic method you said
, or about me.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Well about you and your practice that they probably
wouldn't know unless you sharedit with them.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
What would that be?
Yeah, so our setting isactually and I know you could
probably see a little bit it's ahouse setting.
So, we make everything supercomfortable and it's not
something like people walk inand they go oh wow, this is not
what I expected at all.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
And.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
I pride myself in that because I want you to feel
at home, because these areprivate issues, these are things
that we're going to chit chatabout and we're going to talk in
depth about all of the thingsgoing on with your private life
and the toilet, all the things.
So you know, I don't want youto sit and feel like you're in a
clinical, like cold doctor'soffice and it's just very
(20:03):
sterile.
That's not the environment, um,that is conducive to opening up
and talking about these thingsand feeling comfortable.
So I actually had a patientlast week.
She came in the office becausethis is my office, I have a
treatment table here too but shecame in the office there's a
big couch.
She like took her shoes off,sat on the couch, cross-legged
(20:27):
and just like got comfortableand just ready to go and I was
like that's it, that's thefeeling I want people to do, is
like this is your girlfriendtalking to you Like this is your
best friend, like we're goingto just get, get to the nitty
gritty of what's going on.
Um yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
So that's what I want people to know we're going to
get down and dirty.
She's off and stay a while,right Cause I can spend the time
Like that's.
The thing is like I can spendthe time Like that's.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
The thing is like I can spend the time with these
patients now and we doeverything.
It's important.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
I remember the one of the first times I had to go see
a specialist.
That's what I felt.
I felt like I was just.
You know, my, my, my personaldoctor is awesome.
I mean, she, she makes us feellike we're the only patient that
she has all day, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
That's a wonderful skill.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
That specialist.
It was like I felt like she'dcome in the door, walking out
the door, you know, and no doubtshe was just pressured that way
.
Because her lobby was full, youknow full.
But it made me want to find adifferent specialist.
You know full and uh but, butit made me want to find a
different specialist.
You know it probably wasn't herfault, but it made me want to
find somewhere else to go wherethat felt like they cared.
(21:41):
So I applaud you for making arelaxing setting like that that
people can come in and and feellike they're home, take the
shoes off, stay a while.
You know, when you said likeyour girlfriend, you know, I'm
sure, that a lady that comes inand feels comfortable with you
and a guy that comes in feelslike you can see his sister, you
(22:02):
know, whatever you know, justsomebody that's really close,
that you can talk to.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
So well, dr Aaron, I know everybody's probably saying
, hey, how do I get in touchwith this girl?
How do I, how do I find outmore about her?
So tell us, online and offlinepeople find the ways that people
can find you or contact you orwhatever.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Yeah.
So, our website iswwwthepelvicmethodcom and our
front desk, cheryl, is amazingand she's waiting a call.
She loves to chat with peopleabout what's going on and how we
can help them.
She loves bragging on ustherapists, but that phone
(22:43):
number is 423-825-9340.
And then info atthepelvicmethodcom if you would
rather email for the time being.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Did you mention social media?
I don't know Did you.
Would rather email um for thetime being.
So did you mention social media?
Speaker 3 (22:58):
I don't, did you mention social media at the
underscore pelvic method.
Um so we're on Facebook andInstagram.
We don't have anything else yetI'm not, I'm not a huge social
media person, but we were there.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
There you go.
Well, that's good enough.
Facebook and Instagram, that'sa two good places to hang out
find out more about you so well.
This has been great.
I appreciate so much yousharing all this with us and and
thank you for being on the goodneighbor podcast with us today.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yes, thanks for having me.
I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
It's been my pleasure , my, my pleasure, my pleasure,
and to all the good neighbors ofthe Cleveland and Chattanooga
and Dalton area and everywherein between.
After meeting Dr Aaron andlearning more about the pelvic
method, you know, I know thatshe hopes that you'll take a
moment to consider all she hasto offer.
You know, go to Facebook andInstagram and look and see what
(23:54):
she has available there, theinformation.
Uh, you know, and as she wastalking about all the things
that can happen to our body andwe blame it on age or we blame
it on this, and that you know,but there might be a way that
she could help with that.
There might be a through herpractice might be a method that
she could strengthen a part ofour bodies to help us with
different things, men and women.
To me, this is exciting news tofind out, because so many things
(24:17):
we just kind of play off or,like she said, we think, oh,
let's just go find a pill andmaybe it'll fix it, and it don't
.
These are things, maybe, thatshe could help us with.
She could provide us with aconsultation and at least point
us in the right direction, andit's just worth a try.
That's the way I look at it.
(24:37):
It's worth a try.
If she can help us, wonderful.
If she can't, at least we knowwe try.
But if we don't do anything, wenever will know, will we?
So reach out to Dr Aaron andtalk to her about your issues
and see what she tells you aboutit?
Before ending this episode, I'dlike to thank you, all, the
listeners, for taking the timeout of your busy day to visit
(24:59):
with us at the Good NeighborPodcast and always remember to
support the locally owned and oroperated businesses in the
whole greater Chattanooga area.
I wish I could mention everylittle community where our
businesses and our practices arelocated, because there's so
many good people out there thatwe need to be supporting.
This is Scott Howell with theFriends and Neighbors Group.
(25:20):
Everyone, go out and make thisa remarkable day.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to gnpclevelandcom.
That's gnpclevelandcom, or call423-380-1984.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Scott Howell.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Hello, good neighbors , and welcome to the Good
Neighbor Podcast brought to youby the Friends and Neighbors
Group of the Greater ChattanoogaArea, including Cleveland and
Dalton and everywhere in between.
Again, my name is Scott Howelland I'm your host.
For all you first-timelisteners out there that might
be wondering, the purpose of theGood Neighbor podcast is
(00:33):
designed to bring awareness tothe residents of our communities
regarding locally owned and oroperated businesses and
practices in, like I said, theentire Chattanooga area, from
everywhere, from Cleveland toDalton and all around.
You know, small localbusinesses are the backbone of
our communities and they reallyneed our support.
(00:54):
And joining me today is ourgood neighbor, dr Aaron Wessner
of the Pelvic Method, a physicaltherapy practice right here in
Chattanooga.
Dr Aaron, it's wonderful tomeet you today.
Thanks for being a specialguest today on the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Thanks for having me, Scott.
I'm excited to chat about allthe things.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Ever since I saw your website before I pressed record
, I was telling you.
You know, before I saw yourwebsite I was like, wow, I
didn't know, this was a thing.
You know, just somebodyfocusing on pelvic issues, and
not only just for women, but Ifound out, for men too.
So I really want to hear allabout it.
But before we jump in into thebusiness side, would you like to
(01:39):
share anything personal aboutyourself or your family maybe?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Sure, yeah.
So I am originally from Batavia, ohio, which is up in up around
Cincinnati, and I moved downhere to pursue the passion of
pelvic health.
So I started my career up thereand I took a job with another
company and moved.
They moved me down to Tennessee.
(02:04):
Basically I had no idea aboutChattanooga really except for
that it was the pass through toget to Florida.
But, and when I got here, I justfell in love with it.
I was like this this is where Iwas, where I need to be, and so
(02:30):
yeah.
So I've been here for going on10 years now actually 10 years
as of January.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
And we?
I ended up meeting my lovelyhusband here and a beautiful two
year old daughter now.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
So congratulations, that sounds like a success story
if we just stopped right there.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Yeah, exactly, telling love with the city and
the people and the person, andnow you've got a two-year-old
you love more than life itself,more than anything.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, you know, it's kind of funny that you mentioned
that you came here for thepelvic method.
So I tell you what I'd like foryou to do.
A couple of questions I hadlined up for was asking you to
talk to me about the pelvicmethod and also to tell me about
your journey.
So if you don't care, just kindof put both those out to you,
just kind of take your time andanswer both those questions.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Sure, yeah, so actually.
So pelvic floor issues are justto kind of round that out a
little bit, it has a lot to dowith the bowel issues, bladder
issues or like pregnancy.
It also has pain in the pelvicregion or reproductive organs or
your, like I said, bowel orbladder.
(03:43):
So, um, it kind of encompassesmore of that area in that
specific stuff.
But so I fell in love with it.
Actually, when I was a student,I actually went into PT school
saying I'm going to dopediatrics, this is what I'm
going to do, um, and was soexcited about that.
And my professor actuallyreached out to me and she was
(04:05):
like Erin, I really think, Ireally think you could do this
and do this.
Wow, like I think you have thatpersonality that could, could
really go places in this field,and I'm like.
I was like no, I don't reallythink that's for me.
But I ended up applying andgoing to a residency program at,
(04:30):
or like a clinical rotation at,a at the University of Michigan
, um, from my school to thatschool and started learning
about it, um, and I have twopatients from that experience.
So, again, this is this is along time ago, since 2011.
So, it's been a long time.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Or actually yeah, 2011.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Anyway, but yeah.
So those two patients reallystood out to me, and it was a.
There was a 60 year old womanwho said my husband and my son
are the two funniest people Iknow, but I cannot go to dinner
or lunch or anything without achange of clothes, wearing pens,
and or we have to usually getit to go because I soak my pants
(05:16):
.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
When I laugh she's like I love, love them to death,
and it's just so.
They're so funny, but I justcan't.
I can't go and do anything umthat we want to do, um without
bringing those, and so and she'slike and that's just.
You know, I'm 60, I'mmenopausal, I'm had a kid and
that's just how it is.
(05:38):
And I'm like, actually, howabout?
Not, how about we change that?
And we started changing smallchanges, but like, the biggest
moment she came on a day thatwas not her appointment.
And if you were, if you know, if, like the, the history of
pelvic floor therapy is thatwe're always kind of like stuck
down a hallway in a corner, in acloset Um, um, and so down the
(06:00):
hallway across the corner.
But I was like I happened to bedown the hallway across the
corner, but I was like Ihappened to be down the hallway
and like my door was right thereat the end of the hallway, um,
and this is again as a studentand she was in the big open gym
area where the right rest ofphysical therapy is, and she
(06:22):
screams.
I didn't pee my pants, I justget chills every time I talk
about it Because, like, howwonderful to change somebody's
life in such a personal andimportant way and that kind of
(06:43):
wrote my story.
From then on I worked reallyhard to get more training in
this and um, develop skills andcontinue to do so, obviously,
but, um, but yeah, so I I took ajob in the hospital setting um
and worked with mother baby unitfor high risk women, um put on
(07:04):
bedrest, um, so I had thatexperience and then um, and then
I also did all kinds of thingsthere, like wound care, icu and
but like all the things I Iwasn't quite all the way in
pelvic floor therapy like Iwanted to be Um, and so I kept
working and kept studying anddoing some more coursework and
(07:26):
finally took a job with anothercompany and they moved me to.
Memphis originally for sometraining, and then they were
like, how about Chattanooga?
And I was like, sure, so that'show I got to Chattanooga with
through another company and Inever really thought or wanted
(07:46):
to open up my own clinic.
I did administrative.
I love teaching, I love talkingabout what I do.
I love teaching people.
I love teaching othertherapists, doctors, everybody
about what we do and how we canhelp, because it is so impactful
in people's lives to talk aboutlike, and I get to talk about
sex and pooping and peeing andall the things.
(08:07):
I hope that's okay to say sexon Um, but yeah, it is.
It is the most fun job and Ilove.
I love chatting about it.
So I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
That's a and you, when you said that about that
lady, you know screaming outwhen she saw you.
You know that everybody else,anybody that didn't know her
story and heard her, might havethought oh my goodness, what is
she?
That was important for her,that was like a major event for
her.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, she got to go to dinner with her husband and
son who came back from collegeand, like she, had been seen,
since he was born like and hewas in college, so like the time
.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
just, you know that's never been my, my personal
issue, but I have a friend thatwas in her.
Her husband is like you said,he is hilarious.
I mean he just make you laughwith just one sentence and and
she was she she had a majorproblem with that.
So I could see where that wouldbe a big thing in that lady's
life for that to happen and tothink you get to talk about all
(09:13):
these issues and you don't evenhave to blush when you talk
about them.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
I know, that's one thing I don't do.
I don't have filters anymore.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Well, remember that if I ever go out to dinner with
you and your husband, I'llremember that you don't have
filters.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
My husband has filters and he makes me have a
filter.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
That is so funny.
So tell me, though you know,because, like I said, when I saw
your website, I didn't knowthat this was a practice.
I didn't know this was a carvedout part of physical therapy.
So what are some of the mythsand misconceptions that
(09:56):
sometimes people have when theycome to you the first time?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
That is a great question.
So most people are scared tocome in because they don't
really know what to expect,because it's dealing with very
private areas, and so the myththat you have to live with
(10:20):
leakage for men and women is notthe case.
The myth that, oh, I'm justgetting older, this is what
happens when you get older, likedryness or erectile dysfunction
or, um, which erectiledysfunction does have an age
component to it, but like it'sstill, there's still like some
muscle component and some bloodflow, nerve stuff that goes on
(10:41):
with that.
So it's really important toencompass all of those things.
But yeah, so there's like oh,this has been going on for 30
plus years, there's no way I canget better quickly.
And or like this is a chronicdisease issue.
Like we have people who havechronic prostatitis for men, or
(11:04):
we have endometriosis for women,or we have interstitial
cystitis for both men and women,and those are like disease
process things that people arelike, well, I can't really get
help for that.
That's not a physical therapything, that's a medical, like I
need medications, I need musclerelaxers, I need this and that,
and that's the only thing that'sgoing to help me.
(11:24):
And that's actually not true.
We actually make huge progresswith these patients and give
them their life back.
Like that's why we do what wedo to give them their life back.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
It's very powerful.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
I mean, you know, dr Erin, that's life changing in
many ways for so many people,because you know, yeah, I mean
that you hear that a lot.
You know ways for so manypeople because you know, yeah, I
mean that you hear that a lot.
You know, I'm just gettingolder, this happens, that
happens.
But when you said it, sometimesit's, it's muscular, I've never
, I never, heard that before.
That's so wow, that's, you know, it's so interesting.
(11:57):
I'm so glad we got you on theshow to talk about this.
But I tell you what you know, Idon't want to talk all business
, because I know, you know, DrErin is not all business.
She does have passion and care.
I can hear it in her voice, Isee it.
I see it on her face.
Y'all can't see her expressions, but I see it.
I see how her smile turnsserious when she talks about
(12:22):
some things.
But for just a moment, let'sstep out of the office.
So you've got a husband, uh,you've got a two-year-old.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
So tell me what does Dr Erin and her family do for
fun when you're not in the intopractice?
Oh, um, yeah, so actually weare kind of um animal crazy
people.
So we, we love going toaquariums and zoos and we have
traveled to many cities to dothat.
Um, we love baseball games andum, yeah, we're just, we like
outdoors.
(12:55):
We're not like I wouldn't saywe're super outdoorsy, like my
husband like is a golfer, likethat's his outdoors kind of
thing.
Um, and I like to hike but likethat's a nice walk on sunday,
but like, I'm not, like, I'm nota like a like a rock climber or
anything like that, but I dolove being outside regardless.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yes, yeah yeah, me too.
I love getting out walking innature and enjoying.
I'm a waterfall chaser, I loveto go find them, waterfalls,
yeah yes, I love, yeah, that'swaterfall chaser.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
I love to go find them waterfalls.
Yeah, yes, I love, yeah, that'smy favorite thing too.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I love to go find them waterfalls, especially the
hidden ones that nobody knowsabout on the map.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Oh, you're going to have to tell me You're going to
divulge all your secrets now.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Oh, you know some of these.
That's a whole nother podcast,dr Erin.
So you know, you said you movedaround a lot and I've had to in
my career as well, you knowmove to a place where you don't
know anybody and kind of startover Things in life, some kind
of throw curve balls and presentchallenges.
Could you describe maybe onehardship or life challenge that
you went through that you know?
Now that you look back and youcame through it, you say, wow,
you know I'm a better andstronger person for what I went
(14:12):
through.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I mean, yeah, I think I think there's a couple of
things probably that led me towhere I am, led me to where I am
.
I attribute it to some familyhistory of trauma and sexual
abuse as a child and my cousinsand having a family history of
that stuff and so, like I think,just helping, trying to be
(14:39):
there to help those people,because the misconception is
that everybody that has sexualtrauma or any kind of emotional
trauma or like, even like thealcoholic parent is also another
story that we hear a lot butthat not everybody that has that
(14:59):
experience has pain or issuesbut also has pain or issues, but
also everybody that has theseissues like pain or dysfunction,
I guess, if you will, or justissues with bowel, bowel bladder
, don't have that backgroundeither.
So there's there's thismisconception that just because
you had trauma, you have theseissues and just because you have
(15:20):
these issues, you must've hadtrauma.
So I want to clear that air.
That's not really how thatworks.
But there is a high prevalenceof people who have trauma in
their past or their familyhistory, um, that do suffer with
issues, um, so there is that Um, and so helping that population
out, I feel like I'm helpingfamily members that never got
(15:42):
help.
Family members that never gothelp um is kind of like that
deeper side of things.
Um, and then from like aprofessional standpoint, I think
, like I I I definitely feltlike I got a lot of pushback and
doing the way we do things nowhere in the public method, um,
it was really difficult to treatpatients the way we wanted them
(16:05):
to be treated, because in thetypical physical therapy
outpatient setting it's kind offor lack of better terms turn
and burn kind of thing, whereyou just have to see high volume
and that's kind of howhealthcare in general is getting
both with your doctor I'm sureyou guys could feel it in your
doctor's offices too where yousee eight, eight to 10 minutes
(16:28):
of your doctor and then they'reon to the next Um and you don't
just get that quality timeanymore.
And so getting a lot ofpushback and getting a lot of um
, like overcoming someadministrative top down, just
feeling restricted in what I wasdoing and then opening up my
(16:51):
practice actually, my husband isthe one that encouraged me
because I never wanted to openup a practice.
It's a lot of work having yourown practice.
It is not for the saints ofheart, but we love what we do
and we thrive and it's beenwonderful.
Um, so we're coming up on umfour years right now in practice
(17:14):
.
But my husband was like I don'tknow why you're doing this for
somebody else.
Like, you are not happy in whatyou're doing.
You come home.
You're not the same person thatI met, you know earlier.
You're getting burnt out andyou're just not a happy camper.
And now my husband says that,um, I come home with a smile on
(17:37):
my face and excited.
He's like you have a ton ofwork you're doing all the time,
but you're happy and I love tosee you happy.
You actually care about whatyou're doing all the time, but
you're happy and I love to seeyou happy.
You actually care about whatyou're doing.
Now.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Yeah, what's your husband's name?
Chris Kudos.
Chris Kudos, you called it.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
He did, he did.
You called it All right, he did.
He knows me pretty darn well.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
I hate to admit it, but hey, better him than a lot
of people.
At least you know somebody whocares about you, knows you're
right Not taking advantage ofyou.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Very, very true.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
You know I've said this before on previous podcasts
.
If you watch very many podcastswhere I'm interviewing a lady
who's got her own practicebusiness and she's successful I
say this a lot.
I was raised by a single mother, so I guess that's probably a
little bit of why I'm this way,but I'm a big fan of successful
(18:32):
women.
I just my mother, struggled alot when I was a child.
She struggled and I saw thosestruggles and so when I see a
lady out there succeeding, I'mso happy for them.
You know, really am, and so Ijust give you big props for that
.
You know, if there was onething, Dr Aaron, that you wish
(18:53):
that our listeners knew about DrAaron and the pelvic method
that they probably wouldn't knowif you didn't tell them and you
like to shout it from therooftops here on the Good
Neighbor podcast what would thatbe?
Speaker 3 (19:07):
The one thing, that about the pelvic method you said
, or about me.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Well about you and your practice that they probably
wouldn't know unless you sharedit with them.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
What would that be?
Yeah, so our setting isactually and I know you could
probably see a little bit it's ahouse setting.
So, we make everything supercomfortable and it's not
something like people walk inand they go oh wow, this is not
what I expected at all.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
And.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
I pride myself in that because I want you to feel
at home, because these areprivate issues, these are things
that we're going to chit chatabout and we're going to talk in
depth about all of the thingsgoing on with your private life
and the toilet, all the things.
So you know, I don't want youto sit and feel like you're in a
clinical, like cold doctor'soffice and it's just very
(20:03):
sterile.
That's not the environment, um,that is conducive to opening up
and talking about these thingsand feeling comfortable.
So I actually had a patientlast week.
She came in the office becausethis is my office, I have a
treatment table here too but shecame in the office there's a
big couch.
She like took her shoes off,sat on the couch, cross-legged
(20:27):
and just like got comfortableand just ready to go and I was
like that's it, that's thefeeling I want people to do, is
like this is your girlfriendtalking to you Like this is your
best friend, like we're goingto just get, get to the nitty
gritty of what's going on.
Um yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
So that's what I want people to know we're going to
get down and dirty.
She's off and stay a while,right Cause I can spend the time
Like that's.
The thing is like I can spendthe time Like that's.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
The thing is like I can spend the time with these
patients now and we doeverything.
It's important.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
I remember the one of the first times I had to go see
a specialist.
That's what I felt.
I felt like I was just.
You know, my, my, my personaldoctor is awesome.
I mean, she, she makes us feellike we're the only patient that
she has all day, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
That's a wonderful skill.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
That specialist.
It was like I felt like she'dcome in the door, walking out
the door, you know, and no doubtshe was just pressured that way
.
Because her lobby was full, youknow full.
But it made me want to find adifferent specialist.
You know full and uh but, butit made me want to find a
different specialist.
You know it probably wasn't herfault, but it made me want to
find somewhere else to go wherethat felt like they cared.
(21:41):
So I applaud you for making arelaxing setting like that that
people can come in and and feellike they're home, take the
shoes off, stay a while.
You know, when you said likeyour girlfriend, you know, I'm
sure, that a lady that comes inand feels comfortable with you
and a guy that comes in feelslike you can see his sister, you
(22:02):
know, whatever you know, justsomebody that's really close,
that you can talk to.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
So well, dr Aaron, I know everybody's probably saying
, hey, how do I get in touchwith this girl?
How do I, how do I find outmore about her?
So tell us, online and offlinepeople find the ways that people
can find you or contact you orwhatever.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Yeah.
So, our website iswwwthepelvicmethodcom and our
front desk, cheryl, is amazingand she's waiting a call.
She loves to chat with peopleabout what's going on and how we
can help them.
She loves bragging on ustherapists, but that phone
(22:43):
number is 423-825-9340.
And then info atthepelvicmethodcom if you would
rather email for the time being.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Did you mention social media?
I don't know Did you.
Would rather email um for thetime being.
So did you mention social media?
Speaker 3 (22:58):
I don't, did you mention social media at the
underscore pelvic method.
Um so we're on Facebook andInstagram.
We don't have anything else yetI'm not, I'm not a huge social
media person, but we were there.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
There you go.
Well, that's good enough.
Facebook and Instagram, that'sa two good places to hang out
find out more about you so well.
This has been great.
I appreciate so much yousharing all this with us and and
thank you for being on the goodneighbor podcast with us today.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yes, thanks for having me.
I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
It's been my pleasure , my, my pleasure, my pleasure,
and to all the good neighbors ofthe Cleveland and Chattanooga
and Dalton area and everywherein between.
After meeting Dr Aaron andlearning more about the pelvic
method, you know, I know thatshe hopes that you'll take a
moment to consider all she hasto offer.
You know, go to Facebook andInstagram and look and see what
(23:54):
she has available there, theinformation.
Uh, you know, and as she wastalking about all the things
that can happen to our body andwe blame it on age or we blame
it on this, and that you know,but there might be a way that
she could help with that.
There might be a through herpractice might be a method that
she could strengthen a part ofour bodies to help us with
different things, men and women.
To me, this is exciting news tofind out, because so many things
(24:17):
we just kind of play off or,like she said, we think, oh,
let's just go find a pill andmaybe it'll fix it, and it don't
.
These are things, maybe, thatshe could help us with.
She could provide us with aconsultation and at least point
us in the right direction, andit's just worth a try.
That's the way I look at it.
(24:37):
It's worth a try.
If she can help us, wonderful.
If she can't, at least we knowwe try.
But if we don't do anything, wenever will know, will we?
So reach out to Dr Aaron andtalk to her about your issues
and see what she tells you aboutit?
Before ending this episode, I'dlike to thank you, all, the
listeners, for taking the timeout of your busy day to visit
(24:59):
with us at the Good NeighborPodcast and always remember to
support the locally owned and oroperated businesses in the
whole greater Chattanooga area.
I wish I could mention everylittle community where our
businesses and our practices arelocated, because there's so
many good people out there thatwe need to be supporting.
This is Scott Howell with theFriends and Neighbors Group.
(25:20):
Everyone, go out and make thisa remarkable day.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to gnpclevelandcom.
That's gnpclevelandcom, or call423-380-1984.
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