Where we see patients

Is there a female pelvic floor physical therapist in Montana?

Yes. Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT, is a female pelvic health physical therapist, certified in obstetric physical therapy (CAPP-OB), who sees patients anywhere in Montana by video. Visits are private pay with a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.

The details

What to know

Answered by the practice of Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT, pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist.

Visits are one-on-one from a private room at home, with early morning, evening and weekend times on Mountain Time. Patients in Bozeman, Missoula, Whitefish, Billings and Helena book this way, and so do ranch and farm families on the Hi-Line and the eastern plains.

Postpartum recovery, leaking, prolapse, pelvic pain and pain with intercourse are among the most common reasons to book. Men are treated as well, for leaking after prostate surgery, pelvic pain and urgency.

Montana allows physical therapy without a referral and with no visit limit. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and rates are quoted on the free 15-minute discovery call.

How it works

How a virtual visit works

Most of pelvic floor physical therapy is education, breathing and pressure management, movement retraining, and a home program. All of it works on camera. During the evaluation, Dr. Shalem guides a self-assessment so she can see how the pelvic floor is coordinating with breath and movement. An internal examination is not possible by video; if a hands-on assessment would change the plan, she says so and helps the patient find local care.

A woman at her kitchen table on a video visit with her physical therapist
  1. Discovery call

    15 minutes, free, by phone

    A short call to hear what is going on, explain how visits work, and check insurance or pricing. No pressure to book.

  2. Evaluation

    60 minutes, by video

    Dr. Shalem takes a full history, watches how you move and breathe, and guides the self-assessments she needs to build a plan.

  3. Your plan

    Same visit

    You leave the evaluation with a plain-language explanation and a short home program, usually a few minutes a day.

  4. Follow-ups

    45 minutes, every 1 to 2 weeks

    Progress checks, program updates, and techniques you can do yourself, for as long as they are useful.

For a video visit you will need

  • A phone, tablet, or laptop with a camera
  • A private room
  • A mat or towel
  • About an hour
Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT

Your physical therapist

Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami. Licensed in Montana.

Dr. Shalem treats pelvic health for women and men, from pregnancy and postpartum recovery to bladder, bowel, and pelvic pain conditions and recovery after prostate or pelvic surgery, and general orthopedic conditions of the back, neck, hips, knees, shoulders, and feet. Visits are one-on-one and unhurried, and she explains what she is seeing in plain language.

More about Dr. Shalem

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