Please introduce yourself to our readers. Introduce us to your business partner too!

Hello!

I’m Sandy - a physical therapist interested in helping people overcome pain and get back to the life they love. That includes all pain in the pelvis and genitals - for anyone in need. I am a huge science fan, and stay hopeful and excited about therapy through following the advances being made in understanding pain and what to do about it. We know so much more than we did 10 years ago - and it’s changing rapidly! 

I am the co-owner of Entropy Physiotherapy in Chicago IL with the clever Dr. Sarah Haag. Sarah blends a strong understanding of pain with yoga training and a certification in the McKenzie Diagnostic Theory for spinal health. Together we help people recover the joy of life!

Tell us about Entropy. What is the significance of your name?

Entropy refers to the 3rd Law of Thermodynamics - that things fall apart over time, and need energy put back into the system to recover. So often, people say they sought help because they were falling apart. We figured they should know where to come! And when they are collected and confident, they don’t need us anymore (until the next random injury from living life!). Sarah wrote about it here:  http://entropy-physio.com/blog/why-entropy

What ignited your passion for pelvic health?

“Doc Bailey said you could help me have sex.” 

That was the start. A wonderful family GP sent an injured logger to me (in Oregon with the big trees). I was taken aback... and went to speak with the MD. He said “it’s mechanical low back pain, you can do that.” And so I did. It made for a unique following in the logging camps. 

And then I asked the MD why he never sent women who were having problems having sex. I asked him quite bluntly, “do they not tell you? Or do you not ask?” And so he started asking women with pain how their sexual lives where doing... and I ended up needing to learn pelvic health quickly! 

So I will call it a passion for passion. Sex and intimacy are so important to health. The absence of sensuality due to pain needs to be corrected! And there is help and hope.

There is help and hope.

Many women struggle to discuss their pelvic health -- whether with their providers, partners, or friends. How do you help women feel more comfortable when they come into your clinic?

Once a person gets to Entropy, they have made a commitment to themselves to try something. The hard work of that is done by the person before they get to us. From the first phone call or email we aim to demonstrate that we have a safe and creative space in which to find a path back to health. 

Sarah and I designed the clinic to be comfortable and full of possibility. It’s private, and has space to move. It’s quiet without being sterile or boring.

We have private treatment rooms and a flexible scheduling policy. We aim to make visiting us one of the best parts of working through pain.

Women with pelvic pain sometimes feel like there's something abnormal about them, or that they're imagining their symptoms. How do you help women feel safe with you when they've seen multiple doctors before finding you and may be experiencing some secondary trauma relating to their experiences within the healthcare system?

I suspect that the biggest thing that Sarah and I do is listen - and believe people when they talk about their pain and experiences.  And we both know to our toes that pain can change and that people can improve. We also both agree that the path to feeling better can (and perhaps should) be as pleasant as possible. That doesn’t mean no hard work - it means no pain for the sake of pain - and a persistence towards health. It also means that we are absolutely never going to shame or force someone to do anything or to have any eval/treatment done that they don’t want/approve of.

Beyond being a polite human, the evidence shows that if a person makes a choice themselves, they are more likely to get better. We are here to guide, support, nudge - not to dictate. It is on us to adapt to a person’s needs and goals - not on the person to change to match some arbitrary protocol. 

We often say at Inspire Sante that females are strong as hell. How have you seen this exemplified in your work with women? 

Goodness yes. As I said above - just making the call and showing up is a massive show of strength. 

Women often have to fight internally and externally for what they need. We aim to make this easier and to not add to the complexity! 

Where can women learn more about you?

I am found on a variety of places: 

My clinic!   Entropy Physiotherapy: http://entropy-physio.com/

My podcast: Pain, Science, and Sensibility: https://ptpodcast.com/podcasts/pain-science-and-sensibility/

Twitter:@SandyHiltonPT

And I teach courses around the world on treating pelvic pain, men’s health, and now also finding the fun in healthcare (improv for health care).

Contact me: sandy@entropy.physio