Collective Spotlight: Em Ike
Meet Em! They are a pelvic floor therapist, and owner of Pioneer Valley Pelvic Health.
Why did you want to become a pelvic floor therapist?
I wanted to become a pelvic floor therapist because of my passion for sexual health and sexuality education, coupled with a deep desire to improve people's quality of life. Throughout my journey, I've observed that many individuals grapple with feelings of shame, stigma, or fear when it comes to pelvic floor function, whether it involves sexual, bowel, bladder, or pain issues. These emotions can profoundly impact one's well-being and hinder their ability to seek help.
In my work with folks, I aim to create a safe and nurturing space where individuals can begin to shed these negative feelings and embrace a path toward healing. I believe that everyone deserves to feel empowered and supported in addressing their pelvic health concerns. Through education, empathy, and specialized therapeutic techniques, I aspire to guide my clients toward greater understanding, acceptance, and ultimately, improved pelvic floor function.
My commitment to this field extends beyond merely treating physical symptoms; it encompasses fostering a holistic approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, and physical well-being. By addressing the societal taboos surrounding pelvic health and promoting open dialogue, I hope to contribute to a culture of acceptance and empowerment. Ultimately, my goal is to help individuals reclaim control over their bodies and lead fulfilling lives free from the burden of shame or stigma.
What have you gained from this work?
I gain so much inspiration and joy from seeing my patients work towards and achieve their goals. Pelvic floor therapy can be life changing, and getting to witness that firsthand and help folks learn to heal themselves is seriously the best.
What do you hope your students/clients feel after working with you?
It’s extremely important to me for clients to walk away from their appointments feeling empowered that they don’t need me to “fix” them. They have an incredible capacity to heal themselves - I am there to help facilitate that. I also deeply care about my patients, and I want them to feel like I’m a person they can talk to, feel safe with, and that will be supporting them in whatever ways I can to help them meet their goals.
How does your work inform your activism or understanding of the world?
As a queer, trans, non-binary person, I understand how difficult it can be to seek out or access healthcare. No matter who you are, pelvic floor issues can bring up feelings of shame, embarrassment, fear, or discomfort, but queer and trans folks often have additional layers of complex and challenging feelings around their symptoms or conditions. My practice is built around the needs of the queer and trans community. I treat anyone, so it’s not that I only treat LGBTQIA+ folks, but that my practice is designed to center the needs of this community. There are so many spaces that provide “women’s” healthcare, such as pelvic floor therapy, gynecological care, pregnancy/postpartum care, etc that are heavily gendered spaces. I wanted to create a space where everyone was welcome, but the default is queer- from my intake paperwork, to the art on my walls, to the language I use in appointments with patients.
What's your favorite season of the year and why?
I live in New England, so I of course have a soft spot for fall. I particularly love the smell of the air, and getting to pull out all my sweaters again.
What has made you smile recently that you feel the need to share?
A dear friend of mine (and Sanctuary yoga instructor!) Sebastian and I just hosted our first workshop together this past weekend. The focus was combining gentle yoga and pelvic floor coordination for folks who are thinking about or are currently carrying a baby, and people who have given birth. Neither of us had ever done something like this, so we really didn’t know how it was going to go, but it was AMAZING! I’m so used to working with folks one on one, so getting to be in community while we all did this work together was so cool.
