The health of women is very important. However, various factors can cause varying problems that can be a threat to a woman’s overall body and functions. A Licensed Physical therapist in Edmonton who specializes in women’s health can help female patients avert or manage pelvic pain or underlying problems in order to restore their life back to normal.                                   

At In Step physical therapy, we use globally recognized therapeutic approaches to assess and treat patients. If you are suffering from pelvic issues, our physical therapist can help you address these four major pelvic issues using natural, safe, and non-invasive techniques. These include;

• Urinary incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
• Pelvic floor dysfunction or pain
• Postpartum recovery and pain.

1. Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be disturbing and can affect a patient daily lifestyle. This condition can cause frequent changing of pads every few hours by a patient. As a result, such patients are always concerned about knowing where the restroom is to avoid embarrassment. If you are such a patient, you do not have to bother yourself with urinary leakage over being part of your everyday life because it can be addressed using therapeutic means.

Some of the symptoms associated with urinary incontinence include;

• Urgency
• Leaking with efforts like coughing or other physical activities
• Involuntary discharge of urine
• Post voiding retention
• Over excessive daytime/ nighttime
• Straining to avoid dribble

How physical therapy can treat urinary incontinence, include;

• Pelvic muscle re-training
• Behavioral program (weight loss, urge suppression techniques, appropriate fluid intake, habit training, nutritional and dietary modifications)
• Biofeedback devices
• Neuromuscular re-training (NMES)
• Bladder training

2. Pelvic organ prolapse

According to the international continence society (ICS) and the international urogynecology association (IUGA), pelvic organ prolapse can be defined as the slipping down of one or more of the posterior vaginal wall, the anterior vaginal wall, the apex of the vagina (vaginal vault or cuff after hysterectomy), or the uterus (cervix) into the vagina. This condition can be developed due to various factors such as increased age or BML, connective tissue disorder, vaginal childbirth, and increased abdominal pressure. It causes pain and discomfort but can be treated using a physical therapy regimen.

Some of the major symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) include;

• Feeling of pressure or heaviness at or around the vagina.
• Asymptomatic
• Sexual symptoms: sensation, dyspareunia, decreased lubrication or arousal.
• Urinary symptoms: prolonged or weak stream, incontinence, manual reduction or position change of prolapse needed to initiate or complete voiding, obstructed voiding symptoms, incomplete emptying
• Feeling of discharge release from the vagina.
• Bowel symptoms: digital evacuation, incontinence, straining,

How physical therapy can treat pelvic organ prolapse, include;

• Endurance and strength training session of underactive pelvic floor
• Lifestyle modification to lower the impact of pressure around the abdomen of the pelvic organ support system.
• Pelvic floor muscle training (mostly administered within the first-two state of pelvic organ prolapse)
• Walking out (stretching and exercises) and relaxing an overactive pelvic floor.

Also, physical therapy and other treatments such as the use of mechanical devices, pharmacological treatment, and surgical intervention can be used to address pelvic organ prolapse.

3. Pelvic floor dysfunction or pain

Pelvic pain can be caused due to so many reasons. One of the common causes is known as hypertonus dysfunction or unexpected contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. It is mostly due to long delivery or scar tissue formation from a recovering episiotomy. Victims of sexual abuse and patients whose muscles contract in order to prevent the falling out sensation that happens with the prolapse of the body’s internal organ soften suffer from this condition

Major symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction or pain include;

• Pain around the lower abdomen, back, thighs, or perivagibody’snal area.

How physical therapy can treat pelvic floor dysfunction or pain.

Physical therapy will help treat pelvic floor dysfunction or pain by using specific therapeutic techniques to eliminate pelvic pain while enhancing the body condition and restoring functions.                            

At the initial stage, a broad assessment will be conducted to evaluate the pelvic region before a physical therapist recommends a personalized treatment plan to manage and relieve pain at the pelvic floor.

4. Postpartum recovery and pain.

Delivering a baby is a traumatic one and also a joyful moment for every family. The delivery process can be performed using cesarean section or VBAC. Whichever methodis used during child delivery, there are always postpartum problems associated with it. Such postpartum problems include pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and among others.

Some issues can be addressed using special therapy treatments. For instance, pelvic health physical therapy can be used to treat low back pain, hip pain, urinary incontinence, pelvic girdle, diastasis recti, painful intercourse, scare pain, and other postpartum problems.

Common postpartum problems that can be addressed with physical therapy

• Pelvic floor pain
• Diastasis recti
• Urinary incontinence
• Scar pain
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Painful intercourse
• Limitation to performing regular exercise.

If you are still experiencing postpartum pain after six weeks from child birthing, kindly contact In Step physical therapy immediately in order to meet with a specialist to assess your condition before creating a suitable treatment plan.

What does a women’s health physical therapy session look like?

When you arrive at In Step physical therapy for this session, you will be evaluated by a trained physical therapist before beginning a treatment plan. Your initial evaluation may require an internal exam, provided the patient is comfortable. This will help our physical therapist to adequately examine the cause of the patient’s symptoms as well as other musculoskeletal problems. Other forms of therapeutic assessment include stretching, soft tissue mobilization, musculoskeletal examination, relaxation techniques, electrotherapeutic modalities, palpation and observation of the pelvic floor, biofeedback test, behavior adjustment, and educational sessions.

If you would like to meet with a specialist in women’s health physical therapy, contact us to book an appointment with one of our physical therapists. They will ensure all experiencing symptoms are eradicated and your health is recovered to normal after child birth.