Chelsea Stager, PT, DPT
Chelsea Stager, PT, DPT
Chelsea Stager – Endometriosis Physical Therapist
Summary: Chelsea Stager is an experienced endometriosis physical therapist based in Los Angeles, offering compassionate and individualized care for pelvic health. With a background in professional dance and a doctorate in physical therapy from California State University, Long Beach, Chelsea Stager combines movement expertise with clinical skill to help patients return to meaningful, pain-free activity. She is certified in Pilates and GYROTONIC® and uses these techniques alongside pelvic floor therapy to support healing from endometriosis and related conditions. Chelsea Stager’s personal experience with chronic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction informs her empathetic, trauma-informed approach. She believes in empowering each patient through education, movement, and trust. Whether you’re struggling with pelvic pain or looking to reconnect with your body, Chelsea offers guidance with warmth and respect to support your journey toward long-term relief and well-being.
Visit types: Office
Spoken languages: English
Interpreting services for other languages: No
What you should know about me:
Chelsea is a native to So Cal, having grown up in the South Bay. Her passion for movement began as a figure skater and ballet dancer. After dancing professionally and earning her bachelor’s degree in dance, she desired to learn more about the intricacies of the human body and how she could help others return to meaningful movement and activities in their own lives. This led her to earn her doctorate in physical therapy from California State University, Long Beach. Additionally, she is certified in Pilates and GYROTONIC® and has taught these movement methods for many years. Her interest in pelvic health peaked while working at a performance/sports physical therapy clinic when she realized just how prevalent pelvic floor dysfunction was and how many women were living with these problems. She understands the depth and vulnerabilities associated with these problems, having experienced chronic lower back pain for many years as well as pelvic floor dysfunction herself. It is her deep privilege to walk alongside you in your journey to lasting restoration and healing. In her free time, she enjoys staying active with hiking, Pilates, GYROTONIC®, and some light weight lifting. She also enjoys teaching dance on the weekends, adventuring with her partner, and deepening relationships with those in her community.
Dr. Soorena Fatehchehr
Dr. Soorena Fatehchehr, M.D.
Dr Soorena Fatehchehr – Endometriosis Specialist, UroGynecologist, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
Summary: Dr Soorena Fatehchehr, MD, is an experienced endometriosis specialist and urogynecologist in Long Beach, CA. Dr. Fatehchehr focuses on minimally invasive techniques for treating endometriosis, including excision surgery, and emphasizes the importance of individualized care. His approach to pain management post-surgery involves a combination of pelvic floor physical therapy, Botox injections, pain psychology, and relaxing exercises like yoga. For patients dealing with persistent pain, Dr. Fatehchehr recommends imaging and, in some cases, a second surgical look. He often starts treatment with temporary ovarian suppression using birth control pills, particularly after excising ovarian endometriomas. Whether you’re seeking expert care for endometriosis or need ongoing support, Dr. Soorena Fatehchehr offers a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to help you on your journey to better health.
City: Long Beach, CA, USA
Philosophy: Excision of endometriosis
Medication: Temporary ovarian suppression with birth control pills after excision of ovarian endometrioma
Approach to Persistent Pain After Surgery: It depends on the timeline of the persistent pain, location and severity: Usually 3 months post op: Pelvic floor physical therapy, Botox injection to the pelvic floor, pain psychologist, pain management, relaxing work out including yoga. If the pain persists for a year then imaging and possible second look.
Jennifer Keesee, PT, DPT
Jennifer Keesee, PT, DPT
Jennifer Keesee—Endometriosis Physical Therapist
Summary: Jennifer Keesee is a dedicated endometriosis physical therapist practicing at Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation in Westlake Village, California. Known for her holistic approach, Jennifer Keesee tailors treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs and goals, focusing on comprehensive healing and symptom relief.
Jennifer Keesee uses a variety of hands-on techniques, including myofascial release and trigger point release, combined with neuromuscular re-education and therapeutic exercise to restore function and reduce pain. She also integrates yoga, guided meditation, and breathing exercises to support both physical and emotional well-being. Jennifer believes in empowering patients through education and self-care strategies, fostering long-term health and resilience. Patients in California trust her for her warm, personalized care that addresses the full spectrum of challenges associated with endometriosis.
Visit types: Office/Hospital
Spoken languages: English
Interpreting services for other languages: No
Philosophy of care and typical treatment strategies: I embrace a holistic approach when working with patients with endometriosis, acknowledging that each patient’s needs and goals are unique to the individual. Some specific techniques I regularly use include myofascial release, trigger point release, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise, yoga, guided meditation, and breathing techniques.
Melinda Fontaine, PT, DPT
Melinda Fontaine, PT, DPT
Melinda Fontaine – Endometriosis Physical Therapist
Summary: Melinda Fontaine is an experienced endometriosis physical therapist based in Walnut Creek, California, at the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center. With a personalized, whole-person approach, she helps patients manage endometriosis and pelvic pain through thoughtful, evidence-based care that prioritizes comfort, trust, and long-term healing.
Melinda creates customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals. Her hands-on techniques include myofascial release, abdominal visceral mobilization, stretching, and strengthening. She also focuses on improving coordination and breathing patterns to support overall pelvic health and function. Melinda Fontaine believes in treating the entire person, not just the symptoms, and may recommend additional referrals when helpful. Known for her compassionate and collaborative style, Melinda Fontaine is committed to helping patients in California find meaningful relief and regain control over their health and well-being.
Visit types: Office/Hospital; Virtual
Spoken languages: English
Interpreting services for other languages: No
Philosophy of care and typical treatment strategies: I approach each person’s care by looking at the whole person and what treatments or referrals may be helpful. I perform hands-on myofascial release, some abdominal visceral mobilization, stretching, strengthening, coordination training, and breathing practice.
Jandra Mueller, PT, DPT, MS
Jandra Mueller, PT, DPT, MS
Jandra Mueller – Endometriosis Physical Therapist
Summary: Jandra Mueller, PT, DPT, MS, is an endometriosis physical therapist based in California at The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center. With a holistic approach, Jandra Mueller prioritizes understanding each patient’s unique story to guide personalized care. She integrates hands-on manual therapy, breathing techniques, targeted exercises, and patient education to address complex pelvic pain. Holding a Master’s degree in Integrative Health and Nutrition, Jandra combines physical therapy with nutrition-based, evidence-informed treatments. This integrative expertise allows her to support patients not only through manual and movement therapies but also by addressing diet and lifestyle factors that impact pelvic health. Jandra Mueller’s care emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and pain education, ensuring a comprehensive plan tailored to each individual. Patients seeking relief from endometriosis-related symptoms will find her approach both thorough and supportive, aimed at improving quality of life in a warm and professional environment.
Visit types: Office/Hospital/Virtual
Spoken languages: English
Interpreting services for other languages: No
Philosophy of care and typical treatment strategies: I utilize a holistic approach when working with any patient dealing with complex pelvic pain. I believe that their story gives significant information about the components of care that need addressing (myofascial, psychosocial aspects, pain education, interdisciplinary management, and/or diet/lifestyle factors) and tailors their care based on their needs. I utilize many different aspects – hands-on manual work, breathing techniques, exercises, and educational tools. I also have my Master’s degree in integrative health and nutrition, which allows me to provide more specific, evidence-based treatments in this area to this population.
Dr. Anna Reinert
Dr Anna Reinert, M.D.
Dr Anna Reinert – Endometriosis Specialist, Gynecologist, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
Summary: Anna Reinert is a Los Angeles-based gynecologist and endometriosis specialist with advanced expertise in minimally invasive surgery. Patients seeking compassionate, individualized care often turn to Dr Anna Reinert for her thoughtful, science-driven approach to managing complex pelvic pain. Known for integrating surgery with long-term symptom support, Dr. Anna Reinert emphasizes hormonal suppression, lifestyle strategies, and collaboration with physical therapists and pain specialists to promote lasting relief.
Dr Reinert is deeply committed to understanding each patient’s unique presentation of endometriosis, tailoring treatment to include thorough preoperative evaluations, targeted surgical care, and ongoing pain management. She frequently uses non-opioid medications and custom therapies to support healing and improve quality of life. Patients consistently praise Dr. Anna Reinert for her warm, thorough care and for being a trusted partner through every stage of their endometriosis journey. Learn more by reading Dr. Anna Reinert reviews and discovering how she helps patients find real, sustainable relief.
City: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Philosophy: Endometriosis is such a varied disease. I think that the relative contributions of different pathogenic mechanisms vary between patients. For most patients, I find that the greatest burden of disease is present at initial surgery, with much less recurrence over time, which suggests an in situ disease theory. I have seen more aggressive forms of the disease where recurrence happens quickly and in areas where peritoneal resection was recently performed, suggestive of a retrograde menstruation mechanism. In patients seeking surgery who are done with childbearing, I recommend hysterectomy – but if a patient does not desire hysterectomy, I recommend bilateral salpingectomy to try to minimize the risk of retrograde menstruation. I also recommend hormonal menstrual suppression as part of symptom control in women desiring future fertility.
I am hopeful that over time, the inflammatory cytokine cascades involved in endometriosis pathogenesis will be elucidated, and that we will be able to treat women with a small molecule inhibitor medication, similar to what is being used to prevent ovarian cancer recurrence, as part of post-surgical medical management of endometriosis.
Medication: I frequently recommend the use of hormonal contraceptive medications to suppress menstruation in women not seeking immediate fertility (combined OCPs, Depo-Provera, Kyleena IUD placement), both pre-operatively and post-operatively. I do not routinely recommend GnRH agonists or antagonists but may consider these for refractory pain after surgery in specific patients, or for temporary symptom management if surgery needs to be delayed and symptoms have persisted despite the use of hormonal contraception and other non-hormonal pain medications. I also take a multimodal approach to pain management, including the use of oral and vaginal muscle relaxants, lidocaine patches, NSAIDs, and Tylenol.
Approach to Persistent Pain After Surgery: Prior to surgery, I perform a comprehensive pelvic pain evaluation to assess for overlapping conditions such as spastic pelvic floor syndrome, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or vulvodynia, and I look for evidence of central sensitization. Patients identified as having pelvic floor spasms pre-operatively will be referred to pelvic PT as part of their management of chronic pelvic pain, so many patients are referred to work with pelvic PT post-operatively. I prescribe oral and vaginal muscle relaxants for the management of pelvic floor spasms and perform Botox trigger point injections into the pelvic floor muscles when applicable. I will treat interstitial cystitis or IBS with medications and elimination diets. I use topical compounded ointments for vulvodynia, including topical gabapentin and hormones.
In patients who have persistent symptoms after surgery that are not specifically related to muscle spasms, IC, or IBS, I will assess for central sensitization and consider the use of duloxetine or a tricyclic antidepressant. I may recommend the use of ketamine, either in the vaginal suppository that I prescribe or as an oral agent prescribed by one of the pain management specialists with whom I collaborate. In specific patients, I may consider the use of GnRH agonists or antagonists as part of post-op pain management.
In addition to physical therapists, I collaborate with occupational therapists who specialize in lifestyle redesign for chronic pain, pain management specialists who understand pelvic pain and offer a variety of interventional procedures, and pain psychologists – and will refer patients to this team of providers as part of managing persistent pain symptoms.
Nicole Cozean, PT, DPT
Nicole Cozean, PT, DPT
Nicole Cozean, Endometriosis Physical Therapist
Summary: Nicole Cozean is a dedicated pelvic health specialist focused on helping patients with endometriosis find relief and improve quality of life. At PelvicSanity Pelvic Health & Wellness in California, Nicole Cozean uses a compassionate, patient-centered approach to address pain caused by musculoskeletal triggers in the abdomen and pelvic floor. Her treatments include myofascial release, visceral manipulation, and pelvic floor trigger point release. Nicole also helps reduce central nervous system sensitization through education, breathing exercises, and vagus nerve stimulation, providing comprehensive support for symptom management. She prepares patients for excision surgery and aids recovery with techniques like scar tissue mobilization. Additionally, Nicole Cozean addresses common symptoms such as painful intercourse, low back pain, and hip or groin pain, often experienced alongside endometriosis or related pelvic pain conditions. Her goal is to empower patients with effective, holistic care tailored to their unique needs.
Visit types: Office/Hospital
Spoken languages: English
Interpreting services for other languages: Yes
Philosophy of care and typical treatment strategies: We know from the literature that the majority of patients with endometriosis have a trigger or tender points in the abdomen and/or pelvic floor that can contribute to symptoms. We work to alleviate pain associated with musculoskeletal drivers with a variety of techniques, including myofascial release, visceral manipulation, and pelvic floor trigger point release.
Dr. Steven Vasilev
Dr. Steven Vasilev MD, MBA FACOG FACS FACN ABIHM ABOIM
Dr Steven Vasilev – Endometriosis Specialist, Oncology & Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery| Medical Director, GO Institute.
Summary: Dr Steven Vasilev is a highly respected endometriosis specialist serving patients in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and San Luis Obispo. With over 30 years of experience, Dr Vasilev is known for his expertise in complex gynecologic surgery, including minimally invasive and robotic techniques. Steven Vasilev MD is the only physician in the U.S. triple board-certified in OB-GYN, oncology, and integrative medicine—bringing a comprehensive, personalized approach to each patient’s care.
Patients who choose Dr Steven Vasilev benefit from a philosophy that combines precision excision surgery with holistic healing strategies. From preoperative imaging to pelvic floor therapy and integrative recovery plans, Dr Vasilev offers thoughtful, multidisciplinary care tailored to long-term wellness. Steven Vasilev MD is not only a skilled surgeon but also a compassionate listener dedicated to improving outcomes for those living with endometriosis.
City: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills & San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.
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Philosophy:
In addition to being a doctor and surgeon, I am a clinical researcher and translational scientist. We are studying the molecular behavior of endometriosis in our laboratories. Endometriosis theories suggest multiple causes, and each thesis
contributes to factors likely tied together at the molecular genetic level. Identification of endometriosis molecular and immunomodulatory pathway biomarkers will soon lead to better non-invasive diagnostics, accurate monitoring, and effective therapies beyond the baseline of expert excisional surgery and hormonal manipulation. I focus on this and the uncommon but clear overlap with malignancy in older endo patients or those with a family history.
Surgical excision is a critical cornerstone for endo diagnosis, initial treatment, and re-excision of recurrence or pain-producing fibrosis. My philosophy is to be fully informed and prepared, no matter the findings, through optimal preoperative imaging and testing. Fortunately, my unique training and board certifications permit surgery on all abdominal or pelvic organs, including small and large bowel, ureters, bladder, liver, and diaphragm. If disease is suspected beyond these organs, such as the chest, we have expert cardiothoracic and neurosurgeons ready to join a multidisciplinary surgery. Having used both laparoscopy and robotics in thousands of surgeries over three decades, including the hardest of the complicated surgeries, I firmly believe that the far superior 3-D camera optics and articulating or wristed “tiny hands” instruments used in robotics are better than traditional laparoscopy for all but the simplest of cases. When complicated anatomy or scarring from endo and fibrosis is unexpectedly found, which is not uncommon because endo is intensely inflammatory, the ability to see better and use finesse instruments makes all the difference, especially in highly experienced hands.
Medication:
During the perioperative period, we use holistic ERAS-modified care, combined with integrative modalities such as acupuncture and acupressure, to allow faster recovery with lower narcotic use. We individually construct and coordinate a multidisciplinary consulting team of experts to manage pain, intestinal manifestations such as SIBO and pelvic floor dysfunction. We work with referring gynecologists regarding hormonal support but discourage using GnRH-based therapies. My board certification in Integrative Medicine uniquely injects additional options involving holistic care. An example is proactive estrobolome management to lower systemic estrogen levels naturally.
Approach to Persistent Pain:
Both pre- and post-operatively, I strongly encourage pelvic floor therapy and pain specialist consultation and follow-up. The genesis of endo-induced pain can be due to endometriosis implants and peripheral visceral and parietal peritoneal nociception, fibrosis, direct nerve impingement, pelvic floor dysesthesia, or central sensitization. A very individual approach is vital to the best management plan. In primary and persistent pain situations, each of these “medicalese” terms is discussed in detail to craft the best possible personalized plan. Finally, as noted above, I am a board-certified integrative medicine practitioner and thus apply Eastern thought such as acupuncture, mind-body strategies, and personal nutritional counseling and interventions.
Dr. Steve’s Articles:
