About Us: Meet Our Team
Meet our experienced pelvic floor and lower back treatment team, with 20+ years of experience.
Zarina, owner of Pelvic Health NJ, received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Purdue University, and received her Master's in Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. Her clinical studies include training at St. Augustine University as an Orthopedic Spine Specialist, the Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification, all three level certified in Low Pressure Fitness (LPF), and currently working on the Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS) Certification. Outside of her clinical studies, Zarina has completed Visceral Mobilization (VM) training and CranioSacral Therapy (CST) training from The Barral Institute, along with extensive training in Arvigo Abdominal Massage Therapy, Mastery Certification in Manual Therapy (MCMT), and a certification in Jessica Drummond's Functional Nutrition for Rehabilitation Professionals for Pelvic Pain (FNRP) at the Integrative Women's Health Institute. A strong advocate of female, male and pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction, she is one of only two physical therapists in the US who have been trained by Dr. David Wise, author of Headache in the Pelvis, to carry out his specific pelvic floor pain protocol. Zarina is constantly expanding her techniques on how to further treat complex pelvic floor conditions such as gender reassignment surgery and chronic varieties of pain such as CRPS. Zarina is a continual guest lecturer at Kean University, and has lectured at the Herman & Wallace Institute and at physician rounds in the Morristown and Overlook Hospitals. Within the local mom community, Zarina has also developed a very strong reputation for treating DRA and pelvic floor dysfunction associated with prenatal & postpartum conditions. She uses a “whole trunk” method in treating diastasis recti (DRA) which has led to a high success rate within her patients. When not treating patients and taking new courses, she is an active contributor to The Echenberg Institute for Pelvic & Sexual Pain by Dr. Robert J. Echenberg. She continues to mentor with Dr. Robert J. Echenberg and Dr. Kenneth Peters, learning from two of the most prolific minds in the pelvic floor world to further her knowledge in PF dysfunction. She is currently working on publishing a manual that will address different kinds of chronic pain and different way to address them through physical therapy, as well as developing an abdominal brace to help postpartum mothers recover faster.
Malka is a dedicated occupational therapist who graduated from Touro University in Manhattan, NY. Her interest in Pelvic Health Therapy was sparked by her personal experience with the pregnancy and births of her two children. Malka uses a “whole person” biopsychosocial approach to address all aspects of a person that contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Passionate about helping women and children, she has delved deeply into understanding our body’s automatic functions that sometimes need a little coaxing to work properly again. This way we can cough, sneeze, exercise, laugh and jump for joy with no worries! With her expertise, she has mastered techniques to retrain the body, restoring its ability to function properly and reflexively, supporting optimal health and well-being. She is an expert in identifying patterns of dysfunction, enabling her to pinpoint the root cause and provide targeted treatment to facilitate healing and restoration.
She has taken many courses to enhance her understanding and treatment including:
Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1
Pelvic Rehab Manual Assessment and Treatment Techniques (PR-MATT-V) by Laura Rowan OT/L
OT Pioneers: Introduction to Pelvic Floor Therapy for Occupational Therapists by Lindsey Vestal OTR/L
Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 2B
Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Specialist Course by Dr. Sarah Ellis Duvall, DPT, CPT, CNC
How to Treat the Pelvic Floor Without Kegels by Becky Allen PT, DPT
Postural Restoration Institute Primary Course “Pelvis Restoration”
Herman and Wallace Menopause Transitions and Pelvic Rehab
Yovana is a highly experienced and trained professional in medical coding and billing. She received high honors from the medical coding and billing program, located in New Jersey, that she graduated from. Yovana has many years of experience working in healthcare as a coding and billing professional. When not at the Pelvic Health Physical Therapy office, she spends time baking at home with her daughters and chasing her granddaughter around the house.
Dr. Alexandro Saraceno is a dedicated Chiropractor with a passion for helping others achieve optimal health with optimal movement. Graduating from Montclair State University and furthering his studies at Life University in Georgia, he specializes in Chiropractic medicine with a focus on migraine treatment. Dr. Saraceno's personal experience as a migraine sufferer inspired him to pursue a career in Chiropractic Care, having witnessed the transformative effects it had on his own life. Deeply committed to his community, he volunteered in Haiti post-Earthquake to provide essential chiropractic services and community support. Dr. Saraceno's holistic approach to healthcare and his genuine concern for the well-being of others make him a valuable asset to those seeking natural and effective solutions for their health concerns.
Shannon graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Biology from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2012, becoming a NJ licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in 2016. Her interest in movement and healing began at a young age after being involved in dance classes and with the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. Shannon has extensive experience in orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, post-operative rehab, and sports injuries of all ages. She completed multiple Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor courses, obtained her Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES) certification, and has furthered her manual techniques in fascial counterstrain with The Jones Institute, which focuses on removing trapped inflammation from the body in a gentle manner. She looks forward to pursuing more knowledge in order to provide well-rounded, evidence based treatments for those suffering from urinary incontinence, female and male pelvic floor dysfunctions, and pre- and postpartum health. In her spare time, she still takes hip hop dance classes with her mom!
Courses
- Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1
- Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor 2a
- Herman and Wallace Male Pelvic Floor
- Herman and Wallace Mobilization of the Visceral Fascia: The Urinary System
- Herman and Wallace Sacral Nerve Manual Assessment and Treatment
- Herman and Wallace Pudendal Neuralgia and Nerve Entrapment
- Herman and Wallace Pregnant and Postpartum Rehabilitation Special Topics
- PCES: Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist
- The Jones Institute Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) F1 Foundations
- The Jones Institute FCS Musculoskeletal System: Cartilage & Superficial Fascia (MSK-C)
- Postural Restoration Institute (PRI): Pelvis Restoration
Registered classes for 2025: The Jones Institute FCS: The Lymphatic-Venous System: Part I (LV1), The Lymphatic-Venous System: Part II (LV2), The Visceral System (VC), The Nervous System Part I: Autonomics & Cranial Nerves(N1)
Postural Restoration Institute: Postural Respiration, Myokinematic Restoration
TBD
Frequently Asked Questions, and Answers
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physical therapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians. Our physical therapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it.
While every patient’s condition and pain is unique, your physical therapist will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels. The overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent the injury or pain from recurring.
How do I know if pelvic floor physical therapy will help me?
Working with you and your doctor, we can discuss your options and help determine if physical therapy will be the right choice for you. Contact us today to discuss your current condition and even set up a free consultation if you choose.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Our scheduling is easy and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Check our availability on Google and call us today.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of coverage.
To bring on your first visit:
- A prescription (if needed) for physical therapy from your referring physician, ARNP, or PA.
- Insurance information (we will make a copy of your card).
- Print out the patient forms, fill them out, and bring them with you.
- In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, also bring any case manager or insurance adjuster contact names, phone numbers, and claim number.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork, so you can maximize your time in your evaluation.
- Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.
Will treatment hurt?
Physical therapy is not meant to hurt, but to relieve pain. However, as you restore your mobility, pain levels, at times can fluctuate. You might experience some temporary soreness from using muscles that are weakened or recovering. This is a normal response to therapy treatment. Good communication with your therapist will help minimize any discomfort. We want you on your way to quick pain relief and back to normal activities.
Does insurance cover my treatment?
Yes, in most cases it does. Our office will be happy to assist in contacting your insurance company and determining your coverage based on your individual policy. For more information, visit our insurance plan page and please do not hesitate to contact our office. We do offer different payment options for your convenience.
What if I don't have insurance?
For patients who do not have insurance, we offer a discounted fee, due at the time of service.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. Your insurance benefits will be determined before your second visit, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is necessary on that date.
What should I wear?
Dress comfortably with clothes that allow easy access for the therapist to examine your problem areas. For treatments, loose fitting clothes that are comfortable for gentle exercises and supportive sneakers are often good choices to wear.
How long will my therapy sessions last?
Typically, the first session lasts for an hour and 15 minutes (75 min). Each session afterwards is approximately 45-60 minutes. Your therapist will discuss the necessary amount of time they will spend treating you based on your specific needs.
How many sessions will I have?
Each patient’s diagnosis is different, so together with your referring physician, your therapist will develop a plan of care that is right for you. Your plan of care and number of visits will be determined during your first visit and explained to you by your physical therapist.
What types of education/training do your therapists have?
Physical therapists have years of university level training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (study of joint movement), neurology, and many of the other medical sciences. Our physical therapists have graduated from accredited physical therapy programs and are state licensed. Depending on the university, the physical therapy program is either a masters or doctorate level degree. Rest assured, your therapist is well trained to evaluate and treat your condition.
Do you offer programs for me once I'm better?
Yes! Once you have completed your therapy sessions, your therapist will review your continuing home program. We can make arrangements to meet you at your gym to work with you on determining what equipment may be beneficial, and what exercises would be helpful in your continued recovery.
