Women’s bodies are truly amazing and go through a great deal throughout our lifetime. Our hormones and structural makeup, require specific advice when it comes to exercises, flexibility, and dealing with pain in the body. This is where a physiotherapist can help. Physiotherapy is a non-surgical treatment used for several problems that many women experience during their lifetime. From pregnancy and childbirth to menopause and beyond as well as Hysterectomy and sport injuries. Feel stronger and more comfortable with your ever-changing body with the help of a Physiotherapist. Let’s discuss this in more detail.
What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?
Women’s Health Physio is a specific type of physiotherapy that helps treat Women with a variety of health concerns. The physiotherapist addresses the unique anatomical and reproductive specific concerns that women have during different life stages. This involves providing education, evaluation and treatment to clients. Not all women will experience the same concerns so it is important to find a physiotherapist who will address individualised goals of the client. This specialized area of physiotherapy requires post-graduate training.
Women’s Health Concerns
There are numerous reasons a person may interact with Physiotherapy services. Some of the reasons related to Women’s health may include:
Pelvic floor conditions
Pre/post-partum health
Post-Caesarean care
Exercises during pregnancy/pregnancy related pain
Growth pain, knee/ hip pain
SIJ dysfunction
Rectus abdominus separation
Adolescence health
Women’s sports injuries
Musculoskeletal pain, neck/ back, shoulder/ elbow pain
Post-menopausal bone health, osteopenia/ osteoporosis
Urinary Incontinence and Faecal incontinence
Mastitis
Vaginismus
Pain Management
Hysterectomy Recovery
Seeking physiotherapy services can positively influence the way that individuals participate in their everyday life. Early prevention and management can improve quality of life and decrease the risk that individuals will develop more severe issues. No matter how long you have been experiencing a concern, a physiotherapist can talk to you about how you can manage your symptoms and work out a personalized treatment plan to address these concerns.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy over the lifespan
Women’s health physiotherapy interacts with women of different life stages with different needs. Physiotherapists can assist women from childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older years. Each life stage has different needs, and each individual person has different goals.
Practically – What do you wear to a physiotherapy appointment?
Physiotherapists are trained professionals who ensure you are comfortable during each session. If you have pain in an area of your body, your physiotherapist may ask if you are comfortable to expose that area so that they can assess it.
Below are some simple guidelines for clothing choices:
Neck and shoulder pain: may need to undress to your waist. Ensure you wear a suitable bra.
Arm and hand pain: elbow and hand pain in some cases may originate from your neck and so you may need to expose this area. Ensure you wear a suitable bra.
Lower back and hip pain: you may need to expose the lower back/hip area down to your underwear. Wear suitable undergarments.
Knee and lower leg pain: shorts are advised (if weather permits) and comfortable footwear.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscles that stretches from front to back and side to side across the floor of the pelvis. It is attached to your tailbone/ coccyx at the back and your pubic bone at the front, and the ischial tuberosities (sit bones) to the sides. Along with the muscles there are fascial or elastic tissues, ligaments and nerves. These muscles support different functions in the body It supports the pelvic organs within the pelvis, supports your bladder neck and anus to help them stay closed to assist with continence, works in coordination with your deep abdominal muscles, the diaphragm and multifidi in the spine to form your “core” collectively, and provides sexual response and orgasm during sexual activities.
If you are experiencing pelvic floor problems which can be related to incontinence, frequent constipation and diarrhoea, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, gynaecological surgeries, etc, you can refer yourself to a physiotherapist.
A physiotherapist will give you education and advice to address your concerns.
Pelvic floor exercises are important at different stages of life to prevent problems that are associated with the pelvis such as bladder and bowel control, incontinence, prolapse, etc. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect your muscles, making this an important time to understand pelvic floor exercises.
What else can a Physio help women with
Pelvic Girdle pain (PGP)
Pelvic girdle pain is a pain or discomfort in the lower back or pelvis that usually occurs during pregnancy. As your pelvic ligaments relax during pregnancy other joints become more mobile, or with the increased pressure on your pelvis due to growth of your baby, these can result in experiencing pain. This type of pain usually goes away without treatment after birth. However, a physiotherapist can teach you exercises to help manage the pain.
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affect roughly 10% of women. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular menstrual cycles, excess facial and body hair, acne, heavier weight, reduced fertility and increased risk of diabetes. Physical activity can play a large role in managing PCOS. Exercise can improve symptoms and reduce risk of developing other associated long-term health conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and CVD. A physiotherapist can suggest types of physical activity and exercise that best suit your needs.
Sports Exercise Injuries
Sports injuries can be caused by a variety of factors such as overuse, impact and application of force. Common injuries include bruising, sprains, strains, joint injuries and nose bleeds. Physiotherapists can assist in rehabilitation at the injury site and can prescribe exercises that promote strength and flexibility. Physiotherapists can also assist with showing the client techniques to tape the affected area and how to warm up to increase athletic performance.
C-Section Recovery
A C-section delivery involves major surgery to the abdominal wall. It is important that rest is adhered to after having a C-Section. Physiotherapists can assist clients in their return to exercise after undergoing this surgery as well as prescribing important pelvic floor exercises to ensure that these muscles are being exercised to remain strong and effective.
Menopause
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 to 55 years old however it can occur both earlier and later than this. The body’s natural production of oestrogen begins to decrease causing symptoms:
Hot flush and sweats
Night sweats
Disturbed sleep
Palpitations
Slow metabolism
Low mood/anxiety
Weight gain
Reduction in bone density
Joint stiffness
Skin changes
Headaches
Migraines
Irritability
Problems with memory
Aches and pains
Physiotherapists are trained to help women treat menopausal symptoms. A physiotherapist will assist in discussing specific symptoms, evaluation of pelvic floor health, mobility and posture, hormone management, sleep quality, hydration and nutrition. A specific treatment plan will be written to help restore strength and improve wellbeing.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is an operation that removes your womb and sometimes the cervix. There are various reasons why your gynaecologist may suggest hysterectomy surgery and the range of different hysterectomy procedures that may be used varies according to the medical reason for your surgery. Recovery from this procedure takes time. Your pelvic floor muscles should work to help support your remaining pelvic organs following hysterectomy. These muscles also assist your bladder and bowel storage and emptying. Physiotherapists can assist in strengthening your pelvic floor muscles as it is common that women will experience weakness. Physiotherapists can also assist clients to know when the right time is to return to regular exercise and how to do this.
Booking an appointment with a Physio
Our Physiotherapist, Ying has recently completed and qualified from the Graduate Certificate in Physiotherapy (Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy) and is here to help women of all ages with their health feel stronger and more comfortable in your body.
Clients can access Physiotherapy by getting a private referral or an Enhance Primary Care Plan written by their general practitioner (GP). Appointments can be booked in the clinic in Mount Waverley. If you wish to enquire, you can get more information by calling (03) 9560 1844, option 1 or by emailing the clinic: clinic@oscarcaregroup.com.au