Testimonies of Wellness
One of my focuses at Women’s Wellness Works is to provide a nurturing and educational atmosphere for my patients. Staying up to date on the latest technology and techniques allows me to concentrate on you and your treatment.
If you are experiencing pelvic pain, pelvic floor weakness, urinary or bowel issues, or pregnancy and postpartum issues, please know that you are not alone. Take a moment and read these greatly appreciated testimonials from fellow specialists and patients.
Physicians & Specialists
I have had the good fortune to have shared many patients with pelvic floor disorders over the last 5 yrs. She has always provided a sensitive compassionate service. My patients have profited from her knowledge and skills. We are very fortunate to have such a great resource available to the women of Frederick.
Marci Marshall is a blessing to our community. Women’s pelvic floor problems have been known and documented for many years, but western medicine has been unable to adequately address this area. Physical Therapy has been making in-roads over the last ten years and the Frederick area is very fortunate to have Ms. Marshall. She has a wealth of knowledge of the pelvic muscles and tremendous diagnostic abilities. I have referred patients to her for various concerns and she has been able to identify, treat and teach the patients to correct the muscle weakness. She is professional and kind. I am delighted to have her as a resource for my patients.
I have referred numerous patients to Marci for both gynecological and obstetrical treatments. Patients report a positive experience, as well as, improvement or resolution of their symptoms. I personally received physical therapy treatment for a sports injury from Marci. She provided in office treatment as well as directing me in exercises I performed on my own and my symptoms were completely resolved without the need for more invasive treatment or use of pain medication.
There have been many cases of dyspareunia, vaginismus and stress urinary incontinence that I have referred to Marci with amazing results over the years. One in particular, is a woman who was unable to have intercourse with her husband for many years prior to working with Marci. She eventually became pregnant. She always amazes me as to her diligence, commitment and compassion for these patients with difficult problems. She is my first line of defense.
I have been working with Marci Marshall for five years and am very impressed with her ability to successfully treat women with pelvic floor dysfunction. When I refer patients to her I know they are getting the best possible PT to suit their specific gynecological problem. Marci has excellent communication skills and the expertise needed to effectively diagnose and treat women with all types of female sexual dysfunction.
Marci has been great at helping my patients with a variety of issues including pregnancy related sciatic nerve pain, incontinence and pelvic floor disorders… just to name a few. She uses the latest modalities and has a great bedside manner to make the patients feel at ease with such sensitive issues. She worked previously in the orthopedics field and still has great expertise in this area as well. I can personally attest to this because when I had a sports related injury, she was able to get me back and running in my 1/2 marathon in just a few sessions! I highly recommend Marci to all my patients for her professionalism with a personal touch!
Pelvic Pain
Last year I woke up one morning and thought that I must be developing a bladder infection. I constantly felt like I had to pee and over the next few days the sensation built and nothing would make it stop. Two urine tests were negative for infection and my symptoms grew worse. In a short period of time, the skin in my vulva became inflamed and extremely painful. I also developed a searing, burning pain in my urethral area. I seemed to be acquiring new sources of pain daily and found myself dealing with nearly incapacitating inner thigh pain, shooting pains throughout my pelvis, burning in my vagina and bladder, low back pain, and more. I was not getting any sleep, I cried every day (and throughout most nights), and my pain was unremitting. I saw a variety of medical providers who were sympathetic, but unable to determine the cause of the pain or solve it. Late one night, I was desperately searching the internet in the hopes of finding someone in Maryland who might be able to help me. That is when I found Marci’s website and read about the other women she had helped. I called the next morning to schedule my first visit. Thanks to Marci, I am now on the road to healing. My current diagnoses related to pelvic pain include interstitial cystitis (IC), vulvodynia, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Perhaps you have been diagnosed with or think you have one or more of these conditions and are looking for help and someone who understands. Marci is that person.
After the birth of my second child, I began to experience intermittent pelvic pain. At 32, I also had uterine prolapse, a rectocele and cystocele. I started trying to seek out information-like what was causing the pain, how to make it stop, etc. As time went on and I felt like physicians weren’t taking me seriously, I began to become frantic and turned to the internet to see if there were people like me. I was hoping that someone would share their experience and I would see that I wasn’t alone, and that maybe there were options for pain relief for me. I stumbled across others sharing the same experiences, whom were being treated by a physical therapist specializing in women’s health issues. I immediately asked for a referral and scheduled an appointment. The first time I met Marci Marshall I knew that I was in good hands and I began to feel hopeful that I would get my life back. Marci is compassionate, kind and very much an advocate for her clients. She was determined to help me. She validated my pain at a time when I was beginning to feel like no one else had an answer as to what may be causing it. She placed me in the hands of other people in the area who could help me with my journey to feeling better-a pelvic pain specialist, a yoga instructor, massage therapist, acupuncturist and podiatrist. She never gave up on me or made me feel like my situation was hopeless. She is truly and angel, and an asset to our community. I will FOREVER be grateful to her for the care that she gave me!!
I met Marci at a time when I was feeling totally hopeless about my pelvic floor pain. Since pelvic floor therapy was something I was not familiar with, I was very apprehensive about it. When I met Marci, I was impressed with her complete professionalism and the fact that she really cares about you as an individual, and her goal is to do whatever she can to help you to improve. She made me feel very comfortable from the first visit. I believe that her professional skills are at a level that is hard to find. I have been impressed with the treatments that she has given me, along with her vast knowledge about many women’s health issues. With her help, I got to a point in my treatment where I was pain free. The source of my problems were from having two bad hips that needed replacing, so keeping me pain free was quite a challenge. Marci has been diligent about leaving no stone unturned for treatments that would help me. Marci has a multi-disciplinary approach, and made several referrals to further my treatments. All of her suggestions have been a positive step forward for me. Marci has always been there for me and I can always count on her to help me when I get into flair. One time I traveled all the way from Tampa, FL when I was in flair, and she saw me that very day. That is something that you would not find many therapist willing to do. That was so reassuring to know that she cared that much about me and the fact that I was suffering. I have had one hip replaced, and soon to replace the second and Marci has seen me through it all. We are hopeful that with both hips new, my pelvic floor issues will lessen greatly. I can’t say enough about Marci, and would highly recommend her to anyone dealing with pelvic floor issues. She will give you the care and treatments that you need, and will genuinely make it her mission to give you all the help possible.
My pelvic pain began in March of 2008. The pain was a constant burning in the vulvar and perineum areas, and was exacerbated by sitting. I spent months trying to figure out what was happening to my body and how to stop the pain. The first couple of doctors said it was a yeast infection. Then it was vulvodynia. Next came vulvar vestibulitis. Then I found a specialist, who diagnosed it as pudendal neuralgia – trust me, you don’t want to Google that
Now I had several different names for the pain, but it was not getting any better, regardless of what you called it. I began researching what to do to make this horrible thing go away; all fingers seemed to point to pelvic floor physical therapy. My first specialist at the time did not think I was a candidate for pelvic floor physical therapy. Let me tell you, emphatically, he was WRONG. When my pain first started, my levels were 8 out of 10. It was horrible. My first pelvic floor physical therapist (PT) helped somewhat, but was too vested in the diagnosis of my specialist at the time and essentially gave up on me. I found a second PT, who did help, but was all the way in Philadelphia – and I just wanted to find someone close to home. Thankfully, I found Marci Marshall. When I first started seeing Marci, my pain levels were in the 4 – 5 range. The constant burning had died down, but I could not sit without ice. So, the pain was controlled, but I was still not a happy camper. She was very upfront and honest during my initial evaluation about how she differed from my previous PTs and what she thought she could do to help me. At this point my pain levels on most days are 0 – 1. I am scared to write that (don’t want to jinx it!), but in general, I am better. What do I attribute that to? A large part is Marci. She never gave up on me for starters. She was diligent about finding new ways to help me. If one thing was not working, she tried another. She stays up to date with research in the field and truly is vested in trying to help her patients. When I was at a loss as to what doctor to see, she found one for me and talked to them about my history. She listened and HEARD me. Pelvic pain is so insidious – and Marci is caring and compassionate. She understands the complete loss of control her patients are feeling, and bit by bit, helps them regain that control. She is not only at PT, but a patient advocate and cheerleader. If you are experiencing any type of pelvic of pain, please, please, do yourself a favor – see Marci. My first specialist told me I needed pudendal surgery and my first PT supported the idea. I am soooo glad I did not go that route. I found Marci, who made pelvic floor PT work for me. It can get better – you just need the right PT….
Pregnancy
My physical therapy through Women’s Wellness Works has been very effective and helpful, both with back pain during pregnancy and a back injury 18 months later. Marci is a kind, gentle and patient physical therapist who is discreet and professional. I recommend her services to any woman who wants a PT she can count on to receive a thorough evaluation and therapy.
Marci helped me through pregnancy and post-pregnancy with her specialized physical therapy. Without her customized blend of massage and treatment I would have had a very painful pregnancy. With her help I was able to complete a triathlon just 6 months after delivering my baby. I would recommend her to any woman wanting an easier pregnancy and post-delivery recovery.
Cancer Related Issues
Marci is helping me with a shortened vaginal area after effects from radiation treatment for endometrial cancer. I am making excellent progress. The vaginal area is opening deeper and in circumference. Comments on websites from women who find they have radical changes in their vaginal area after radiation which limit intercourse, often say their husbands or other partners leave them. Oncologists do not seem to know about professionals like Marci who can expertly work with women patients using pelvic floor work and the right dilators to open up the vaginal area so women can be intimate again with their partners. Marci gives expert help, brings a wonderful energy to her treatment work with patients, establishes trust, her office is a beautiful setting for her healing work and she works intuitively and expertly with physical symptoms. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to overcome physical changes in their vaginal area from radiation. The vagina has wonderful recuperative powers, after all babies come through that sacred doorway. And Marci knows just how to work with and restore stressed tissues to a healthier state in expert pelvic floor work. She is a treasure.