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Meet Your New York Pelvic Pain Specialist: Dr. Tayyaba Ahmed

Dr. Tayyaba Ahmed, DO is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician. As an expert in women’s and men’s health and sexual health, she is the first physician in the founding office of PRM and is proud to be at the forefront of those physicians addressing and identifying the role the pelvic floor plays in many disruptive chronic pain syndromes.    Dr. Ahmed was born and raised in Long Island, New York. She completed her medical degree at the New York Institute of Technology, and residency at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Northwell Health Hospital in Long Island, and the NYU Langone Medical Center/RUSK Institute for Rehabilitation in NYC. A board-Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, Dr. Ahmed is also a fellow of the Academy of Physical Medicine and Technology Rehabilitation and a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society. While previously treating patients with sports medicine conditions, Dr. Ahmed felt there was something missing in her treatment approach, eventually realizing that the pelvic floor was the missing link to many patients’ road to recovery.    As a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine, she believes the body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance, and incorporates these intuitive principles into her practice.  Investigating and identifying each symptom’s pain generator is paramount to developing a successful treatment plan. 

GET TO KNOW YOUR DOCTOR

WHY DID YOU BECOME A DOCTOR?

Healthcare is a fluid and dynamic field that is always evolving but the one thing that stays the same is the Hippocratic Oath. As a child I always admired physicians because they stood by this Oath, doing no harm. Having the ability to treat someone in need has not only been rewarding but has also given me a purpose in life. 

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO TREATMENT?

I believe in a holistic approach to medicine. As an osteopathic physician, I use the main principles as part of how I tackle each patient, specifically understanding that the body is a unit and capable of self-regulation, healing, and maintenance, all the while understanding that structure and function are reciprocally interrelated. I like to approach my patient's pain in an investigative manner. I try to step back and see what systems are playing a role in their pain and connect the dots. Pain is complex and often has multiple generators.

WHAT MAKES YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PRM'S COMMUNITY OF PATIENTS?

This is a super underserved population, and being a person of color, I see the equity of healthcare is not there. The system is broken, patients are gaslit or turned away, and people are not listened to or validated.  

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE PATIENT CARE?

I try to get on the same level as my patient – whether they are 16 or 90 years old. I speak to them in a way they can understand, allow them to ask questions, and try to answer everything before they leave our office. I will speak to a family member in the room if needed. I want my patients to be an equal partner in our conversation about their treatment plan. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?

The results. Seeing people feel better, get better, and hearing their story about how their lives have changed (social, sex, bowel movements, sleeping through the night, etc.). 
 

WHAT DOES PRM'S MISSION OF "DECREASING THE TIME PATIENTS ARE SUFFERING WITH PELVIC PAIN" MEAN TO YOU?

In the past, I have seen patients who only want to try one form of treatment to get better. I want my patients to try more, which is what our approach to treatment is – a holistic approach that affects the entire body.   I want patients to get better faster, from the time they enter the door to the time they leave. I want to send them to physical therapists who won't hold onto them for months, meaning they shouldn’t be in physical therapy very long while utilizing our treatment plan.  

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HELPING THE POPULATION OF WOMEN SUFFERING WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS?

At PRM, we’re seeing almost 1 in 2 women with endometriosis. I have been seeing it and diagnosing it so much more over the last 7 years.   It's important that we validate our patients’ experience, and it is important for us to get them to be more vocal. I have found that these patients are frustrated and seem to be at a point of waiting for nothing. They are not going to pursue treatment because they’ve given up, as they have been told their pain has been normal and is still normal – so we must go through and talk about their full symptom history and experiences with their pain. 

WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT PELVIC HEALTH?

It's more than just kegles. I want doctors to try to take a few minutes to try to understand what the pelvis is and how integral the pelvic floor is and how it plays a role in our daily living activities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

She completed the BS/DO program at New York Institute of Technology and was trained at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Northwell Health Plainview Hospital and the NYU Langone Medical Center/RUSK Institute for Rehabilitation.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

American of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation  Global Pelvic Health Alliance   International Pelvic Pain Society 

PRM CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout her many years of experience in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, Dr. Ahmed has advocated the importance of pelvic education by contributing to numerous panels, podcasts, and lectures that address the need for treatment in the field.  Dr. Ahmed was a contributor to a textbook which is considered a staple for every Physiatrist’s training.  She also has been an investigator in many research studies in the field of pelvic rehabilitation. Dr Ahmed has spoken on many panels at National conferences, including CME lectures and Hospital Grand Rounds for multiple hospital health systems.  She has also hosted webinars for the Pelvic Health Summit in 2018 and 2019, the Islamic Medical Association of North America, Long Island Doula Association, Crohns & Colitis Foundation, and ChildBirth Educators of NY. She spoke to Chronicon 2019, Crohns & Colitis Patient Advocate Day, and The Endometriosis Summits of 2019-2023.    Listen to podcasts that Dr. Ahmed has been featured on here: https://www.listennotes.com/top-podcasts/tayyaba-ahmed/