It remains a mystery to many people what a physiotherapist actually does, let alone a “Women’s Health Physiotherapist”!!
We are constantly asked;
– What exactly is a women’s health physiotherapist?
– Should I see one?
In a nut shell a women’s health physiotherapist:
Has expert knowledge regarding conditions specific to females. They understand the complex and unique female anatomy, including the complex female hormone system. These therapists understand the effects childbirth and menopause have on women. They use their expert knowledge of “women” to treat various complaints and conditions.
We frequently treat:
• Pregnancy related pain and/ or dysfunction (pre- and post-natal)
• Abdominal separation (rectus diastasis)
• Pelvic floor strengthening
• Caesarean or perineal scar management
• Pelvic girdle pain/ “pelvic instability”
• Urinary/ faecal incontinence (leakage)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic pain (including pain with intercourse, and pelvic examinations)
• Overactive bladder: Nocturia (excessive night time urination)
• Urinary urgency
Commonly a women’s health physiotherapist is also involved with developing exercise programs and running exercise classes specifically for women. We use our additional training and advanced knowledge of the female body, and can expertly design individual programs that are safe and effective for women of all “ages and stages” who may or may not have pain or dysfunction.
For example, women with osteoporosis, pelvic organ prolapse, gestational diabetes, postnatal weakness and/or post gynaecological surgery require specific targeted exercises programs that keep them safe as we work towards their individual goals.
Some women who I have seen in the past month include:
• “I get urine leaking when I cough and sneeze and it has been worsening for the last 5 years, which correlates with the onset of menopause.”
• “I have endometriosis and intercourse is becoming more and more uncomfortable.”
• “I am 8 weeks pregnant and know my “core is weak”, I want to know what exercises I can and can’t do to help me have a pain free pregnancy.”
• “My gynaecologist told me I have a prolapse that doesn’t need surgery and now I don’t know what to do. I don’t want my prolapse to worsen!”
• “I go to the toilet 9-11x per day and I know this is too frequent but, I’m scared I might leak even though I have only ever leaked urine once or twice.”
• “I need help returning to running after my perineal tear during vaginal delivery.”
• “I have osteoporosis and my doctor said Pilates might help?”
All of these women were able to be helped by a women’s health physiotherapist!
If you are a woman, or know a woman, who has pain or dysfunction or a woman who is menopausal or post-natal who just wants to get moving again a women’s health physiotherapist can help!
Feel free to call us to chat if you are unsure whether we may be able to help you or not. Tell the world and spread the knowledge of what a Women’s Health Physiotherapist can do to help!
Contact Rebecca Women’s Health Physio!
Rebecca Horrocks
Womens Health Physiotherapist
Synergy Physio
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