A woman’s pelvis goes through much change over the course of her life span. A women’s health physical therapist is trained to assist the body through these transitions. From incontinence, to pelvic pain, to prolapse, to low back pain and pregnancy/postpartum; a physical therapist is able to manage structural alignment, balance muscle tension, improve mobility of scar tissue and reeducate musculature for optimal function of the woman’s pelvis.
Either after childbirth or following menopause, women often struggle with bladder control, and are often told that they simply need to “do their Kegels.” What they are not told is that there is a correct and incorrect way to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles (or Kegel muscles). Additionally, a woman’s lack of bladder control may be caused by tension through the musculature that is limiting effective muscle coordination, not simply muscle weakness. No matter how many Kegels a woman does, if the musculature is the problem, her bladder control will not improve.
While the gift of children is immeasurable, pregnancy can take quite a toll on the body. Women often struggle with back pain, separation of the abdominal muscles, pain with intercourse and carpal tunnel symptoms. A women’s health physical therapist works with the patient to decrease muscle tension while strengthening the hips, abdomen and lower back to decrease pain and increase the woman’s ability to participate in all of her daily activities.
Pain through pelvis and lower abdomen can be quite disabling. Women’s health physical therapy has great outcomes for managing abdominopelvic pain associated with endometriosis or other pelvic inflammatory processes. Women’s health physical therapists work to improve tissue mobility through the myofascial system for optimal movement of pelvic organs and musculature.
A women’s health physical therapist will design an intervention program specific to your body’s needs. Almost all of the therapy session is hands-on, allowing the therapist to assess where mobility is lacking and where stability and strengthening need to be established. We only get one body. We will benefit from taking care of it and allowing it to function optimally.