Women's health encompasses a broad spectrum of issues that can be
treated by physiotherapy. From pregnancy back pain to incontinence
problems faced by older women, physiotherapy can help.
Bladder
incontinence is a problem for 13 million Americans on any given day.
Although some men have this problem, it is present in much greater
numbers in the area of women's health.
There are several different
kinds of incontinence. Stress incontinence happens mainly when the
person coughs or sneezes. Urge incontinence causes the person to have
sudden urges to use the restroom. This may be due to organ prolapse,
such as a tilted uterus, which can also lead to sexual dysfunction.
Women's health physiotherapy may well be able to help correct these conditions.
Physiotherapists who work in the field of women's health can correct nearly 70% of incontinence problems. The major exercise used is called the Kegel. It is a very specialized exercise, and most often needs specialized instructions, and it takes biofeedback for many to get it right.
Physiotherapists who work in the field of women's health can correct nearly 70% of incontinence problems. The major exercise used is called the Kegel. It is a very specialized exercise, and most often needs specialized instructions, and it takes biofeedback for many to get it right.
Many of the problems of women's health can be traced to the
pelvic floor. The Kegel exercise specifically addresses this part of
the anatomy. There are other therapies that are effective as well.
Electrical stimulation is only one of the methods used. Soft tissue
manipulation is another treatment that has had good results.
Pelvic
pain affects the health and well-being of many women. It may be caused
by a variety of sources. It can be due to vulvodynia or abdominal
surgeries, for instance. Pelvic pain can also be the result of a fall,
especially if the tailbone has been damaged. These conditions can cause
long term curtailment of many physical activities lead to an overall
deterioration in the women's psychological health. Physiotherapy offers
a variety of treatments to help these problems.
Another very
important area where physiotherapy plays an important role in women's
health is during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant are aware of their
bodies going through various changes that can be painful. Lower back
pain is only one of them.
Physiotherapists can help with this.
Gentle exercises can be taught to relieve tension in the back. One
simple but very effective exercise is lying on the floor with the knees
up and pressing the small of the back down to the floor. This gives a
great feeling of relief. There are other exercises to strengthen the
woman's back. However, it is important to be under a physiotherapist's
specific instructions and watchful eye to ensure the exercises are the
right one for the different stages and discomforts of pregnancy.
Women's health is of utmost importance at this time, and so is the
baby's.
Physiotherapists can give instructions on the exact
amount, type and quality of exercises that are best for pregnant women.
After delivery, physiotherapy is also a boon to women's health. It can
help get women back into shape and instruct them in taking care of
their new child while preventing back problems. Furthermore, another
area of postpartum women's health where physiotherapy can be very
effective is the treatment of women who have had cesarean sections.
Physiotherapy
is important to women's health as women suffer from a host of physical
disorders. Many of these conditions will respond to physiotherapy. It
is only natural that women would turn to a tried and true method for
relief.