Pre-Surgical / Non-Surgical Options for Gender Affirmation

A few blog posts ago, we spoke about the different types of gender affirming surgeries and how physical therapy can help. This blog post is going to go over the different types of techniques that can be performed either pre-surgically or if one does not want to have surgery at all.

Tucking

A technique transwomen may perform to hide external genitalia and provider a smoother appearance along the pelvic region of their bodies. This involves tucking the testicles and penis between the butt or by using tight fitting underwear (a gaffe or adhesive tape).

Binding

Transmen may bind the breast tissue down in order to create a flatter appearance prior to chest reconstruction or binding can be done indefinitely without surgery. Binding incorrectly can cause many impairments and it is important to seek out help regarding posture.

Packing

To create the appearance of a bulge in the genital region, transmen may perform packing with the use of a prosthetic. Packing may be used prior to metoidioplasty or phalloplasty or it can be done without the end goal of surgery at all. There are many different ways to pack and there are even prosthetics to help one do so.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

One can choose to come to a physical therapy session in order to prep their bodies for these changes. A session can include postural education, manual therapy (scar tissue massage, trigger point release and soft tissue work) and strengthening. If a patient chooses to undergo surgery, physical therapy can help before or after surgical intervention to prepare the body and prevent future injuries from occurring.