PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY

The pelvic floor includes the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support pelvic organs (uterus, bowels and bladder) and assist with bowel, bladder and sexual functions. Just like the muscles in your shoulder or hips, the pelvic floor can become injured or lose function and contribute to a host of issues that can affect anyone, not just women. Women’s health physical therapists, however, have often undergone extra training in the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. Here are some examples of pelvic floor conditions that a women’s health physical therapist can treat:

• Pelvic pain
• Painful intercourse
• Low back pain and hip pain
• Bowel and bladder leakage
• Constipation
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Postpartum issues

PRENATAL PHYSICAL THERAPY

The prenatal or antepartum period refers to the time period leading up to delivery, in other words, during pregnancy. Women’s health physical therapists play an important role in a woman’s pregnancy in a couple of ways. First, it is not uncommon for a woman to develop new or worsening aches and pains during pregnancy. This is a time in which a woman’s body is undergoing rapid changes in response to a host of pregnancy-related hormones and a growing fetus. A women’s health physical therapist is trained to address these issues with the health and safety of the mother and fetus in mind. Second, giving birth–vaginally or by cesarean section–is no easy feat and preparing the body for labor and delivery can help make this time and the postpartum recovery as easy as possible.

My team of therapists will always individualize their care to your specific needs but the list below outlines some common interventions offered during prenatal physical therapy:

Stretching, mobility and flexibility exercises: Muscle shortness or tightness can cause discomfort and lead to pain during pregnancy. Whether you are seeing your PT because you are already having pain or looking for ways to prevent its onset, your PT can help identify these issues and teach you targeted stretches and mobility exercises.

Strengthening exercises: Strengthening exercises are key to managing joint or muscle pain during pregnancy and to help prepare the body for childbirth while shortening recovery times. Whether part of a treatment program or a prevention program, women’s health physical therapists can show you how to exercise safely.

Pelvic Floor Training: The pelvic floor muscles and tissues are undergoing changes throughout pregnancy and experience trauma during the birthing process. A pelvic health physical therapist can advise you on exercises to strengthen and prepare your pelvic floor for giving birth. There is much more to pelvic floor PT than kegals. These PTs can help address issues of pain, discomfort, or incontinence that might develop during pregnancy and teach you strategies for minimizing these issues after childbirth.

Soft Tissue Mobilization: Increased muscle tension and decreased soft tissue mobility can exacerbate pain and discomfort during pregnancy. Your PT may choose to apply gentle soft tissue mobilization techniques to address pain and impaired tissue mobility.

Diastasis rectus abdominus prevention: A diastasis rectus abdominus is a separation of the left and right outermost abdominal muscles known as the rectus abdominis. It most commonly occurs as a result of pregnancy. Physical therapy during the prenatal months can help decrease the likelihood of developing a diastasis rectus abdominis that does not heal quickly on its own. A program of specific abdominal and pelvic floor strength and stabilization exercises performed throughout pregnancy has been shown to be highly effective.

POSTPARTUM PHYSICAL THERAPY

Just as physical therapists play an important role in the time period leading up to labor and delivery, the postpartum period, also known as the “4th trimester” is another place where women’s health physical therapists can be a huge help. Whether you deliver vaginally or by cesarean section, the body must recover from the delivery and from the effects of the pregnancy itself. It can be hard for a new mom to prioritize her health and recovery but we want to encourage her to take the time to help her body heal as early as possible. If you are experiencing any of the following conditions–whether they developed during pregnancy or after–you may benefit from working with a women’s health physical therapist:

Ligament laxity and joint pain: Throughout pregnancy a woman’s body is changing proportions and size to accommodate the growing fetus and the onset of pregnancy-related hormones leads to increased laxity in tissues and joints. Some women may experience discomfort or pain in their legs, arms, back, neck, or pelvis as the pregnancy progresses. These hormones can persist for several months after delivery, even for a short while after breastfeeding stops. There is no need to wait for pain to stop on its own, our physical therapists can help you find relief no matter how far you are in the postpartum period.

Diastasis Rectus Abdominis: White this condition will often resolve on its own, sometimes it will persist and can cause discomfort, feelings of weakness in the abdominals, low back, hip, or pelvic pain, and feelings of “flabbiness” in the abdominals. Physical therapy can help safely and effectively address diastasis rectus abdominis.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Carrying and delivering a baby puts a large strain on the pelvic floor and sometimes it needs a little help recovering. See above to learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy.

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct health concerns or issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY IS HERE TO HELP!

As you can see, women's health physical therapists are here to support their clients throughout their lives. If you are ready to learn more about how our therapists can support you and your healing, give us a call today to schedule an evaluation with one of our women’s health physical therapists.