Better Together
The Pelvic Education Alliance (PelvicEA) is fueled by its mission to fuse together the worlds of orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapy.
We believe that physical therapists treating the pelvis need expertise in both orthopedics and pelvic floor physical therapy in order to treat their patients through a wider lens with a more integrated approach.
Backed by a team of experts with 20+ years of experience in both fields, this program is truly the first of its kind. Pelvic Education Alliance, with its unique perspective, elevated level of experience, and signature expertise, offers a forward-thinking approach to pelvic health that will impact both patients and physical therapists alike.
For a pelvic health physical therapist, it is not uncommon to find that one is often forced to choose between taking a course related to pelvic floor dysfunction OR one dedicated to orthopedics. Likewise, for an orthopedic physical therapist, treatment of the pelvic floor is almost never addressed. It is rare to find the two topics covered in a single course.
Recognizing patients' need for both, Pelvic Education Alliance is on a mission to change the face of pelvic health physical therapy. Bridging the gap between orthopedic and pelvic floor approaches to physical therapy, PEA offers hands-on, collaborative courses to PTs and PTAs searching for effective assessment and treatment strategies for their patients.
Led by master clinicians who are also Orthopedic Certified Specialists, Women's Health Certified Specialists and Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists, Pelvic Education Alliance’s 20+ years of accredited expertise ensures these courses provide an excellent foundation for the treatment of both women’s and men’s pelvic health.
PEA courses are lab-intensive, with an excellent instructor to student ratio, ensuring that attendees are comfortable with both external and internal evaluation and the treatment of pelvic dysfunction upon return to their respective clinics. The didactic portion familiarizes participants with relevant anatomy, pathology, medical interventions, and the ability to identify red-flag signs or symptoms. Plus, those enrolled in the course will learn key manual therapy techniques, as well as appropriate home program exercises for each patient’s specific condition.
Be a part of the Pelvic Education Alliance movement to improve the world of pelvic health physical therapy.
Meet the Team
JULIE SARTON PT, DPT, WCS
Julie founded Sarton Physical Therapy in 2011 with the vision to provide hope and healing to her patients, with the best possible staff and evidence-based treatment. Prior to opening her practice, Julie founded and served as Director of the Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy program at the University of California, Irvine, where she was also an Assistant Clinical Professor within The OB-GYN department. Julie was in the very first class of physical therapists to be board-certified as a WCS, and has more than 15 years of experience in the field, successfully treating thousands of complex patients. She has lectured professionally at The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Society for Urodynamics and Urology, the American Urogynecologic Society, UC Irvine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Loma Linda University. Dr. Sarton earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and was awarded her doctorate from Creighton University in 1996 as part of the nation’s first doctorate program in physical therapy.
A published author, Julie’s work has appeared in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as The Journal of Sexual Medicine, The Female Patient, and Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 2006, she was honored with the “Rising Star in Medicine” Award from Women Sage. Considered an expert in pelvic pain, she has been featured on The Discovery Health Channel’s Berman and Berman show and in the Orange County Register.
Dr. Sarton co-founded the Pelvic Floor Sexual Medicine group , bringing together practitioners from Southern California who treat pelvic floor disorders. Julie is also a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society, the Interstitial Cystitis Association, The American Physical Therapy Association, The American Urogynecologic Society and the National Vulvodynia Association.
JANINE NESIN, PT, DPT, OCS
Janine is co-owner and CEO of Nesin Therapy Services in Huntsville, Alabama with 24 years of experience treating both orthopedic and pelvic health patients. Janine graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1992 and from Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 1996. Janine became a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist in 2005. Janine has served both as President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, as well as Vice-President/Education Chair.
Janine has been teaching continuing education for physical therapists since 2014 and is a member of Women’s Health, Private Practice, and Orthopedic Sections of the American Physical Therapy Association and a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society. Her expertise in business development has led Nesin Therapy Services to local, state and national recognitions. She has mentored multiple physical therapists in private practice development and management. She continues to serve as an expert consultant in the field of orthopedics, private practice and pelvic health. She is also a co-founder of the Pelvic Education Alliance, which has the goal of bridging the physical therapy orthopedic and pelvic health worlds.
MICHELLE NESIN, PT, OCS, FCFMT, FAAOMPT
Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy for the University of South Alabama in 1989. Since graduation she has been working for Nesin Therapy Services in Huntsville, AL where she is co-owner and Chief Operating Officer. She participated in a 6 month post professional fellowship in PNF at Kaiser Vallejo, CA in 1992. She became certified in Functional Manual Therapy™ in 1997 and completed her one year IPA Manual Therapy Fellowship studies with Gregg Johnson, PT, FFCFMT in 2001.
She became a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist in 2006, and completed her second AAOMPT Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship in 2009. She has been teaching for the Institute of Physical Art since 1993 and is a primary instructor in PNF, FM1, Functional Gait and Visceral Functional Manipulation. Michelle has over 29 years of experience in treatment of orthopedic and pelvic health patient populations. She is a member of Women’s Health and Orthopedic Sections of the American Physical Therapy Association, a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists. Michelle is a co-founder of the Pelvic Education Alliance, which has the goal of bridging the physical therapy orthopedic and pelvic health worlds.