For people in physical therapy, rehab, or pain care
When your body has changed, and so has sex
Pain, injury, illness, and recovery can change how sex and closeness feel. Sex therapy can work alongside your rehab and pain care.
This is the printed handout, word for word. Print or download it at the end of the page.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- “I’m afraid sex will set off my pain or undo my progress.”
- “Pain leaves me too tired to even think about sex.”
- “Since my injury, I avoid touch because I don’t know what’s safe.”
- “My body doesn’t do what it used to, and I miss feeling desirable.”
- “My partner treats me like I’m fragile now.”
- “I don’t know how to talk about what I can and can’t do.”
- “No one on my care team has asked about sex.”
- “I want sex to fit the body I have now.”
Sex can adapt, too
Rehab helps your body adapt to movement. Sex and intimacy can adapt as well, with different pacing, kinds of touch, and ways of being close. Worry about pain or injury is common, and it’s something you can work on. Your care team can advise on what’s physically safe.
How sex therapy can help, alongside your rehab and pain care
Worry
Ease the fear
Sort out worries about pain, flares, or injury, and replace myths with accurate information from your care team.
Closeness
Come back to touch
Rebuild touch step by step, at a pace your body allows. Structured touch exercises, done at home, can be part of this if they fit you.
Pleasure
Widen what counts
Sex doesn’t have to mean penetration or one kind of activity. Explore what feels good in the body you have now.
Connection
Talk it through
Find words for needs, limits, and desires. A partner can join some sessions if you’d like, or you can do this work on your own.
What sex therapy is
Sex therapy is talk therapy about sexuality, intimacy, and relationships. There is no touch, no exam, and nothing physical happens in sessions.
Your rehab and pain care still matter
Sex therapy doesn’t replace your physical therapy or medical care. With your permission, I coordinate with your physical therapist or pain team. If a medication may be affecting your sex life, talk with your prescriber before making changes.
Getting started
Request a free 15-minute consult at JosephMaronLPC.com or call 215-804-9315.
Telehealth for adults in Pennsylvania. Private pay; superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement.
I’m Joseph Maron, MS, LPC, a sex therapist. I work with adults on sexuality, relationships, identity, and ADHD.
Joe Maron Therapy · PA License PC017785 · Doctoral student in human sexuality, Widener University · Certificate in Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities · ADHD-CCSP · LGBTQ+ affirming care
Print this handout
For your clinician: the matching provider sheet.