Pelvic Health in Rural Nebraska

Megan’s Story

My name is Megan Frickel and I am a rural health doctor of physical therapy, providing pelvic health services at Sandhills Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab to patients in North Platte and the surrounding area. I graduated from UNMC in 2010 and worked in almost every area of PT before settling into orthopedics and ultimately focusing on pelvic health for the past five years. I am certified in pelvic health physical therapy by the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health. 

Pelvic Health PTs provide a variety of treatments to help improve pelvic, lower back and hip pain as well as bladder and bowel impairments with the overall goal of improving patients’ quality of life. 

When I moved to North Platte, the shortage of pelvic health care in this part of the state was undeniable. To put this shortage in perspective, there are 33 practitioners across Omaha and Lincoln who are certified in treating pelvic floor disorders. Meanwhile, only 25 practitioners serve the rest of Nebraska in this capacity.

I realized then how important it was to be able to offer this service in an area without availability.

My passion is to inform everyone that, while common, incontinence and pelvic pain are not normal and can be improved, possibly even without medications or surgery. Many of these impairments are related to the muscles of the pelvic floor, making those who experience them a perfect candidate for physical therapy. 

I love serving in rural health because it allows me to provide specialized services to underserved patients living outside of metro areas.