THE TEAM AT F-ACT PELVIC PAIN CLINIC
Welcome to F-act Pelvic Pain Clinic. Have you had pain or complaints in your pelvis, lower abdomen, lower back or upper legs for a long time? We have specialized in these complaints. We take the time to listen to you and conduct examinations. Here we introduce ourselves to you. See you at F-act].
Fetske Hogen Esch
Fetske Hogen Esch is a pelvic physical therapist specializing in chronic pelvic pain: "Anything possible to help people, I do. That started when I was a pelvic physiotherapist and noticed that too many people had pain and complaints for too long. That's not possible, right? I didn't want to have to say to these people: sorry, I can't do anything more for you. That's why I always look further. For almost 30 years I have specialized in chronic pelvic pain (cpps). My passion for this beautiful profession is as great as ever. Customized treatment, for me that is the core of my work. Above all, that means listening carefully to the patient and taking my time. That is perhaps the most important part of the examination. With specific exercises and accompanying information, the patient can move on. And if I can't help someone further, I look for a practitioner who can. In doing so, I consult my extensive network.
Read more
I follow the science, I consult with medical specialists and colleagues in the Netherlands and in other countries, I listen to our patients. In this way I see more and more clearly what patterns there are in complaints and causes. You can trust me to do everything possible for you."
Fetske emphasizes that treatment at F-act is complementary to other treatments. "Because we are not specialized in organs like the bladder, uterus or prostate. We do specialize in the muscles, tendons, bones and nerves surrounding those organs. And because in the lower abdomen all the organs and those muscles, tendons, bones and nerves are so close together, it's not always easy to find the cause or causes of pain and symptoms. We look at the connection between all those organs and structures. Even if we may not find the cause now, we can often relieve or remedy pain and symptoms."
Fetske Hogen Esch is general manager and owner of F-act and Bekkenfysiotherapie Hogen Esch (bfhe.nl). In the Netherlands and internationally, she is committed to improving care and treatment around pelvic floor problems. She is the first Dutch pelvic physiotherapist to specialize in chronic lower abdominal pain. She is also one of the founders of the content of pelvic physiotherapy education in the Netherlands. Fetske is known at home and abroad for her expertise and her personal approach. Patients from around the world know how to find the clinic and Fetske's network includes specialists in the Netherlands and internationally.
She did her training in the Netherlands (Master pelvic physiotherapy and various courses and refresher courses) and in the United States (Individual training in Wise-Anderson Protocol in California). Fetske regularly speaks at (international) conferences and consults with medical specialists at home and abroad. https://www.linkedin.com/in/fetskehogenesch/
Branca Smit
Branca Smit is a pelvic physical therapist specializing in the examination of the back, pelvis and hips.
"When I examine someone, I don't just pay attention to that person's back, pelvis or hips. I see the person completely and look at how a person stands and moves. In doing so, I pay attention to all the details. Sometimes a small adjustment in how you stand or sit makes a lot of difference."
Branca can create a customized exercise program for everyone. "Sometimes muscles are allowed to get stronger. But often it is even more important to be able to relax muscles. That sounds easy, but if you always hold your stomach in, or have the glutes tense, you have to learn to feel again how to keep them relaxed." Speaking of muscles, if they are so tense that there are painful "knots" in them, Branca knows how to treat these trigger points. Her training for this trigger point treatment, she attended Tim Sawyer (the Stanford Protocol).
Sharon Bakker
Pelvic physical therapist Sharon Bakker MSc. has specialized in the pelvis from a physical therapy background. "I want to be able to do something for others and help people with (chronic) pain problems. At F-act, that's exactly what I do. My colleagues and I take time for the people who come to us: we listen and we ask questions. Together with our knowledge and experience, this often leads to taking another step forward. A step towards less or no pain, and towards more opportunities to move relaxed again."
Elly Schuijt
In addition to being a pelvic physiotherapist, Elly Schuijt is also a manual therapist. She specializes in detecting and treating pinched nerves.
"Sometimes it is quickly clear that pain is due to a pinched nerve. But it can also be quite a quest to know whether a nerve is pinched, where it is and what causes it."
Elly is co-owner of a large physiotherapy practice in Heiloo and she is involved in the master's program in pelvic physiotherapy at the SOMT. Elly reinforces our team when needed.
Marielle Koers
If you contact us, chances are Mariëlle will be the first to speak to you. Knowing exactly how our clinic works, she will listen to you and perhaps ask an additional question.
"I am your first point of contact and will be happy to answer your questions. Unless they are medical matters, of course. I will ask you to fill out a questionnaire. We will then let you know if there is anything we can do for you. If so, I will create a file for you and schedule your appointment. It is important to me that you feel at home in our clinic. Both over the phone and when you are here.
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am in the clinic and available by phone between 9 a.m. and noon. On other days and times, please leave a message on voicemail or send us an email; we will get back to you as soon as possible."