What is Healing Hou?

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EFHou has partnered with Empower Yourself PT to provide pelvic floor physical therapy services to two (2) Houston area residents, who are 18 years old and older, no matter where they are with their endometriosis journey. This includes up to 12 sessions of pelvic floor therapy. Payments will be made directly to the provider on behalf of the patient.

 

Endometriosis is a systemic disease impacting the whole body. Excision surgery is the cornerstone of endometriosis treatment, but it is one part of a multidisciplinary approach. Pelvic floor physical therapy is another important part of the healing process. The body reacts to pain by tensing muscles at or near the pain, over time resulting in even more distress and dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapists can use techniques to ease muscle tension, retrain and correctly strengthen muscles, mobilize organs and scar tissue, and more to help patients improve their quality of life. 

 

Unfortunately, such treatment is often too expensive to pursue. EFHou hopes to ease the stress caused by the heavy financial obligations that endo throws our way by decreasing barriers to multidisciplinary care, starting with pelvic floor physical therapy. We hope this program will grow to include other facets of endo care in the future.

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When will the program launch?

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Our pilot program first launched in 2022, and we are now in our second year of providing financial assistance. We will be accepting applications from May 1, 2023 through May 31, 2023. Scholarship recipients will be notified by July 1, 2023. Finalists may be asked to interview in June via Zoom.

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To apply, please check out the Application and Guidelines page.

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How many recipients will be awarded?

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For this round, we aim to pay for up to 12 sessions of physical therapy for two (2) scholarship recipients who will work with our trusted PFPT partners, Aya Cardellini and Leslie Guier.

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Who are the physical therapists EFHou is partnering with for Healing Hou?

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We are excited to expand services this year, working with providers in two (2) different parts of Houston!

 

​Last year, we worked with Karen Kowenski, PT, DPT, owner of Empower Yourself PT. This year, we will partner with two (2) other PTs at this practice who have experience treating patients with pelvic pain and endometriosis. One scholarship recipient will work with Aya Cardellini at the main office in Bellaire. Another scholarship recipient will work with Leslie Guier at a satellite location in Old Town Spring. 

 

Aya Cardellini, PT, MS, ASSECT is a pelvic floor therapist and sexual coach with more than 20 years of experience treating patients with orthopedic and pelvic floor conditions, with an emphasis on related sexuality concerns. She is able to combine physical and manual therapy with sexual counseling for those patients who are interested, and therefore offer a unique holistic perspective to treatment. Aya believes every person is different, thus every treatment is different as each patient’s unique physical, emotional, and cultural story shapes that. Her mission is to build a relationship of trust and openness with patients as we deal with the physical condition, and to explore their sexual concerns.

Location: 4909 Bissonnet St Suite 115, Bellaire, TX 77401

 

Leslie Guier, PT, DPT has over 10 years of physical therapy experience treating patients with orthopedic and pelvic floor conditions. She has completed advanced coursework in Pelvic Health and looks at the whole person. It is her mission to educate people on pelvic health and work with you on an individualized plan to help you reach your optimum level of pelvic health and wellness. She believes it is important to accomplish this through one on one treatment sessions with your specific goals in mind. Whether it is returning to the same activities or finding new ways of living a healthy life, she is here to walk beside you on your journey! 

Location: 26602 Keith Street, Spring, TX, 77373

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To learn more about Empower Yourself PT, please visit: https://www.empoweryourselfpt.com/about

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Who should apply?

 

You should apply if you:

• Struggle with endometriosis

• Have difficulty affording pelvic floor physical therapy, whether you have insurance or not

• Are 18 years of age or older

• Reside in the Greater Houston Area

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We strive to be diverse and inclusive regarding ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic  status. Note that meeting grant requirements does not assure receiving a grant. We are unable to fund all of those who apply at this moment.

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I am a pelvic floor physical therapist and I am interested in being a part of your program. How can I get more information?

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Thank you for your interest! Please e-mail us at healinghou@gmail.com for more information. 

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I would like to support the program. How can I help?

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There are several ways to donate:

 

1) You can donate to us directly here.

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2) You can donate through PayPal.

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3) You can mail us a check to:

Endometriosis Foundation of Houston

Attention: Healing Hou

12645 Memorial Dr #F-1,

Houston, Texas 77024

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4) You can easily create a Facebook Fundraiser for the Endometriosis Foundation of Houston. Share it with supporters and encourage them to help you raise money on Facebook.

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Create a fundraiser here: https://www.facebook.com/fund/EFHou/

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Thank you so much for your support! 

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