Michiko Caringal (She/her/hers)

Registered Physiotherapist
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Services:
  • Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
  • Exercise rehabilitation
  • Manual therapy
  • Patient education
Availability:
  • Saturdays: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Areas of Practice:
  • Specialization in pelvic health for all genders, pre- and post-pregnancy wellness, and persistent pain
  • Pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain and the Pelvic Floor
  • Physical Therapy Care of Patients who are Trans/Gender Diverse
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Pre-operative and post-operative care for Gender Affirmation Surgery
  • Urinary or fecal incontinence or urgency
  • Waking up at night to urinate
  • Pain prior to or during intercourse
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Persistent idiopathic low back pain

A Bit About Me

Hi and welcome! I became passionate about pelvic health physiotherapy and sexual health after my own personal experience with severe sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain. Fifteen years ago, I was anxious, depressed, stressed, and overworked. I experienced severe pelvic pain and was diagnosed with vulvodynia, a chronic pain condition for which there is no identifiable cause. After committing to rehabilitation, I saw significant improvements and has been symptom-free 10 years and counting!

My personal accounts and professional work have been published in medical journals, such as The Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, and I often get interviewed for my professional insight in popular magazines and podcasts. I am also an Educator/Mentor for Trans Care BC, a provincial clinical program that helps to ensure trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary people get the care they need, when and where they need it.

I hold a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, and a Master of Health Science in Bioethics from the University of Toronto. I love to learn! I am a Registered Physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience in clinical, research, education, and leadership roles in rehabilitation, health care and fitness.

I have taken courses to offer pelvic health physiotherapy for all genders, including pre- and post-gender-affirming surgeries. I treat all pelvic health conditions, including but not limited to: incontinence, dysfunctional voiding, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, abdominal pain, bowel dysfunction, cancer/chemotherapy related pelvic concerns, endometriosis, prenatal and postpartum concerns, post-operative rehabilitation, and much, much more!

I am passionate about relationships: I believe that developing rapport and positive communication are the pillars in rehabilitation.

As a pelvic health physiotherapist, my goal is to work in partnership with each of my clients to craft a personalized care plan that will meet your specific needs. The client’s care plan integrates education, manual techniques, and exercise rehabilitation to relieve their symptoms related to the pelvis.

Ever since my personal experience, I strive to provide the type of patient-centred care that I would like for myself: getting to know my patients and listening to their concerns, formulating a plan that is meaningful to them, and combining their expertise of their own body with my physiotherapy skills and knowledge!

MEDIA PUBLICATIONS

  • How Patient Empowerment Begins In Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Care. (2024). Pelvic Health Support.
  • Ethical Word Choice for Patients in Pain. (2023). Sex[M]ed: a sexual health education platform for healthcare practitioners. Online Publication
  • Physiotherapists can be Pelvic Pain Killers too! (2023) Guest Speaker on Podcast for Michelle Fischler, SW.
  • Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Sexual Rehabilitation: Pre/Post-Gender Affirmation Surgery. (2023). Pelvic Health Support.
  • How to Keep Your Pelvic Floor Happy and Healthy. (2022). Best Health Magazine.
  • Pelvic Floor Function, (2021). Intimately You. CityTV TSC broadcast with Dr. Jessica O’Reilly.
  • Why you need to strengthen your pelvic floor now, (2020). Best Health Magazine.
  • Vaginismus, Delayed Ejaculation, Penis Health & Posture: Change Your (Sex) Life Via Your Pelvic Floor, (2020). Guest Speaker on Podcast for Dr. Jessica O’Reilly.
  • Get Floored Workshop at Misfit Studio, (2019). Toronto, Ontario.
  • Kegel exercises: A primer on your pelvic floor’s number one workout, (2019). Reader’s Digest.

Education & Certifications
Vulvar Health: Changes and Conditions Throughout the Lifespan (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Pessaries: Clinical Integration and Management of POP/SUI (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Understanding Endometriosis (Medbridge)
Project ECHO: Trans and Gender Diverse Healthcare (CAMH)
Physiotherapy Care for People who are Trans and Gender Diverse (Mount Sinai, NYC)
Pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain & The Pelvic Floor (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Level 2: Female and Male Pelvic Pain (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Level 3: Clinical Skills for Treating Pain (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Level 1: The PT Approach to Urinary Incontinence (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Innovative Exercises for the Sensitive Nervous System (Pelvic Health Solutions)
Project Management (Health Leadership & Learning Network)
Certificate in Clinical Leadership (Health Leadership & Learning Network)

Book an Appointment

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