Physiatry has always centered on restoring movement, reducing pain, and helping patients participate fully in life. But at Atlantic Health, that mission is taking on new meaning, especially for patients whose pelvic health issues have gone untreated, misdiagnosed, or normalized for years. Rakhi Vyas, DO, board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, is helping change that.
Dr. Vyas combines clinical precision with specialized training in pelvic floor dysfunction. Operating out of the Atlantic Health Warren Pavilion in Warren, New Jersey, the care team offers patients non-surgical solutions grounded in neuromuscular science and patient-centered goals.
Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t always present as a clear-cut diagnosis. It can look like urinary urgency, pelvic heaviness, pain with sitting, or persistent low back discomfort that hasn’t resolved with physical therapy. It can follow childbirth, overuse injuries, GI inflammation, or surgical scarring. For some patients, it presents as embarrassment, isolation, or limitations on daily life.
And for those patients, physiatry may be the missing link.
Where Physiatry Fits in Collaborative Care
Physiatry doesn't replace your care plan; it enhances it. Many patients come to Dr. Vyas after completing physical therapy with limited improvement. Others are referred by OB/GYNs, urogynecologists, or GI specialists who suspect there’s more at play than what imaging shows.
In this collaborative model, Dr. Vyas works in tandem with referring physicians to monitor progress and adjust treatment based on real-time feedback. EMR notes are shared, and open communication is encouraged across specialties.
“We often come in when other options have been tried, and we help connect the dots,” Dr. Vyas explains. “We don’t just look at the symptoms. We look at how the body is compensating, and how that compensation may be causing dysfunction.”
Physiatry for Patients Beyond Conservative Therapy
Physical medicine and rehabilitation providers are uniquely positioned to support patients who have reached the limits of conventional care. Dr. Vyas frequently evaluates and treats patients who:
- Continue to experience pelvic, musculoskeletal, or neuropathic pain despite physical therapy
- Suffer from unresolved symptoms following childbirth or pelvic surgery
- Present with urinary urgency, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or persistent GI issues linked to pelvic floor dysfunction
- Require non-operative treatment options for chronic musculoskeletal pain, joint dysfunction, or post-stroke recovery.
“Many patients believe they must just live with symptoms like pelvic pain or incontinence,” says Dr. Vyas. “But these are treatable issues. Physiatry allows us to address the full spectrum of neuromuscular contributors and restore quality of life without surgery.”
Beyond Kegels: A Whole-System, Muscle-First Approach
Patient evaluations are comprehensive, often uncovering deeply rooted muscular tension compensating for years of imbalance. Rather than prescribing generic strengthening exercises, Dr. Vyas begins with internal and external exams to assess tone, tenderness, and neuromuscular integrity.
Treatment plans vary. One patient might receive ultrasound-guided nerve blocks or trigger point injections to release hyperactive muscle groups. Another might be prescribed a compounded suppository with neuromodulators and muscle relaxants. Most engage in specialized pelvic floor physical therapy, with Dr. Vyas in close contact with their therapist throughout.
Multidisciplinary, Ongoing Collaboration
Physiatry at Atlantic Health is built on coordination. Referring physicians are kept informed through shared electronic medical records, timely consult updates, and close communication regarding co-management of chronic conditions. Dr. Vyas integrates care with a network of therapists and specialists to ensure patients receive timely evaluations and diagnostic clarity.
“Our best outcomes happen when we’re aligned with referring providers,” says Dr. Vyas. “Whether they’re managing postpartum recovery, GI disorders, or complex urological conditions, we complement — not replace — their care.”
A Long-Term Ally for Complex Care
While some patients are discharged after short-term intervention, many with chronic conditions benefit from a sustained therapeutic relationship. Dr. Vyas provides continuity of care that helps patients manage flare-ups, adjust medications, and track long-term progress toward function-based goals.
“We tailor care to each patient’s life, whether that means being able to sit through a child’s recital or return to cycling,” she says. “Function is personal, and that’s our focus.”
When to Refer
Primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, urologists, and physical therapists are encouraged to consider referring when:
- Patients report persistent pelvic pain, incontinence, or pain with sitting, sex, or bowel movements
- Conservative therapy has not resolved symptoms
- Patients are not surgical candidates or prefer to avoid surgery
- Pelvic floor dysfunction is suspected, but the provider is unsure how to proceed
Dr. Vyas and the physical medicine and rehabilitation care team also welcome consults for second opinions or to help clarify the role of non-surgical interventions before advancing to invasive procedures.
Refer With Confidence
To refer a patient to Dr. Vyas or to learn more about pelvic floor physiatry at Atlantic Health, visit our referral portal
Atlantic Health – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
64 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, NJ 07059
T: 908.947.2092