Meet Melissa Morgan OTR/L at The Spine & Health Center of New Jersey

Melissa is a licensed and certified Occupational Therapist in the state of New Jersey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Huron University in South Dakota and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Dominican University in New York. Additionally, I have specialized training in Sexual Education and Therapy, Perimenopause and Menopause as well as Pelvic Floor Therapy.

Melissa specializes in Women’s Health with a focus on the Pelvic Floor. She helps women manage conditions such as pelvic pain, urgency, fecal and urinary incontinence, endometriosis, PCOS, back and hip pain, sexual dysfunction, constipation, interstitial cystitis, pelvic organ prolapse, as well as pregnancy and postpartum care.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) in Pelvic Health take a holistic approach, addressing how pelvic health challenges impact daily life and well-being. They provide support in various ways:

• Daily Function & Adaptation: Assess how pelvic health issues affect essential activities like toileting, sexual activity, hygiene, work, childcare, and leisure, offering strategies to modify tasks, improve posture, and use adaptive tools for greater comfort.

• Behavioral & Lifestyle Modifications: Guide habit training, bladder/bowel schedules, ergonomic adjustments, and mindfulness techniques to promote long-term improvement.

• Nervous System Regulation: Use breathwork, relaxation techniques, and sensory integration to calm an overactive nervous system, often linked to pelvic pain, while addressing the impact of stress, trauma, or anxiety on pelvic health.

• Psychosocial & Emotional Support: Help individuals navigate body image concerns, self-esteem, and anxiety related to symptoms, ensuring a well-rounded approach to healing.

• Sexual Health & Intimacy: Assist individuals and couples in overcoming painful intercourse (dyspareunia), fear of intimacy, or sexual dysfunction by providing education on comfortable positions, desensitization techniques, and communication strategies for a healthier intimate life.

By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of pelvic health, OTs provide a comprehensive approach to improving overall well-being.

Melissa loves traveling with her husband and two sons, embracing the outdoors through activities like fishing, hiking, and hunting. She also coaches her younger son’s soccer and baseball teams. Recently, she has developed a passion for gardening and macrame.

Melissa is passionate about empowering women and educating them about their bodies, helping them live their best lives in every way possible. She strives to make Women’s Health, especially Pelvic Health, a common and open topic of discussion both at home and during doctor’s visits.