Women’s Health
Women’s Health Physical Therapy is a specialized area of care that requires additional education and training. Women of all ages can suffer with complication including: pelvic pain, urinary and bowel incontinence, pelvic prolapse, breast cancer complications, osteoporosis, female athletic injuries, fibromyalgia, pediatric pelvic problems and diastasis recti.
The leading women’s health diagnosis is diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscle) and pelvic floor weakness following childbirth. To restore abdominal and pelvic floor strength and function exercise can begin week 1 or 2 after delivery to regain core strength. Strengthening will improve carrying newborn, transitional movements in and out of bed, car and chair. As the abdominal gap closes advance exercises are prescribed.
Pelvic floor strengthening (kegel exercise) can begin immediately after delivery and progress to functional sitting, standing and daily activity. Strengthening the pelvic floor also develops sexual fulfillment, as well as prevent prolapse and incontinence.
Sincerely,
Sherri Boos, PT DPT
References
APTA. (n.d.). Health Center for Women – MoveForward. Retrieved from http://www.moveforwardpt.com/forhealthcareprofessionals/detail/health-center-women.