What is Women's Health
Physical Therapy?
Women's Health is the treatment by a physical therapist
of a variety of conditions that are more common in women: urinary
incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, fibromyalgia,
coccydynia and osteoporosis.
Urinary Incontinence
Women can overcome conditions such as stress, urge, and mixed
urinary incontinence, using physical therapy. The treatment is
without drugs, invasion, or side effects. Treatment strategies
include biofeedback, electrical stimulation, bladder retraining,
fluid management, and exercise. Many women see improvement in just
a a single visit, others need to come for as many as 7 visits.
Fecal Incontinence
Women and men can overcome the frustration and embarrassment
of a lack of bowel control through the use of biofeedback, education,
and exercises for coordination and strengthening of the pelvic
floor. The treatment involves 1-6 visits, and has a nationwide
success rate of 80%.
Pelvic Pain
Research has shown that imbalances in the pelvic musculature,
adhesions, tailbone malalignment and scars can lead to intolerance
of penetration of the vagina, as well as discomfort when seated
in chairs, wearing clothing, or participating in exercise. Women's
health physical therapy helps to return the body to proper alignment
and normal internal tension. There are no medications or invasive
procedures used, and the patient is always in charge of the pace
of the therapy, depending on their own tolerances.
Men can also suffer from pelvic pain due to disease or surgery.
Many times a man can be treated for "chronic prostatitis", which
is really tension in the pelvic floor. This can be treated
at HealthWise Resources.
Fibromyalgia and Osteoporosis
Persons with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and
osteoporosis are excellent candidates for physical therapy. I use
posture, exercise, patient education, tissue mobilization, body
mechanics and other strategies. Research has shown that people
who exercise safely and consistently enjoy a better quality of
life. Many women have been able to begin and progress a gentle
exercise program in order to improve their overall health and improve
their sleep quality.
Coccydynia / Coccygodynia / Tailbone Pain
The tailbone or coccyx is located between the buttocks. Pain in this area is referred to as coccygodynia or coccydynia. Coccydynia is associated with pain and tenderness at the tip of the tailbone between the buttocks. Coccydynia is often caused by an injury, but it may occur seemingly spontaneously.
The pain is often increased by sitting, going from sitting to standing, or having a bowel movement. When a person sits, the tailbone is supposed to flex under the body and when a person stands up, it is supposed to extend back. Sometimes the tailbone can become stiff or out of place. If it gets into the wrong position or moves poorly, the discomfort can be merely irritating or quite painful.
Ria treats the tailbone with manual therapy, with the goal of putting the tailbone back into alignment and restoring proper motion. There is usually some improvement the first time, so some patients only need one treatment, but most will need a few treatments in order to feel full relief.
Further Resources
©Copyright 2004-2009 by HealthWise Resources
Last Updated:
April 16, 2009
|
