Introduction
Overall, women’s health physiotherapy can be extremely beneficial for women of all ages. It can help to improve quality of life, reduce pain and discomfort, and prevent or treat many common health problems.
What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?
Women’s health physiotherapy is a branch of physiotherapy that deals with the assessment and treatment of women’s health conditions. Women’s health physiotherapists are specially trained to understand the changes that occur in a woman’s body during her lifetime and how these changes can affect her musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
Common conditions that women’s health physiotherapists treat include pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, pelvic pain, pregnancy-related back pain and post-natal rehabilitation. Women’s health physiotherapy can also help to improve your posture, flexibility and fitness levels.
If you are experiencing any problems with your musculoskeletal system or have concerns about your cardiovascular or respiratory health, look for the best women’s health physiotherapy that can help your condition.
The Benefits of Women’s Health Physiotherapy
Women’s health physiotherapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on the unique needs of women. Women’s health physiotherapists are experts in the assessment and treatment of conditions that affect women of all ages, from puberty to menopause.
Conditions that can be treated with women’s health physiotherapy include:
- Pelvic floor dysfunction – incontinence, prolapse
- Pregnancy and postnatal related issues – back pain, abdominal separation, pelvic girdle pain
- Sexual dysfunction – painful sex, vaginal dryness
- Menopausal symptoms – hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue
The benefits of women’s health physiotherapy are many and varied. Women who receive treatment from a women’s health physiotherapist can expect to see improvements in their overall physical and mental wellbeing. Here are just some of the ways in which women’s health physiotherapy can help:
- Improve bladder and bowel function – Women with pelvic floor dysfunction often suffer from incontinence or prolapse. Women’s health physiotherapy can help to improve bladder and bowel function by strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor.
- Reduce pain – Pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, and pregnancy. Women’s health physiotherapy can help to reduce pain by providing targeted exercises and manual therapy.
The Different Types of Women’s Health Physiotherapy
There are several different types of women’s health physiotherapy, each with its own set of benefits.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is one type of women’s health physiotherapy that can help to treat urinary incontinence, pelvic floor prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. This type of physiotherapy uses both internal and external techniques to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Another type of women’s health physiotherapy is perineal massage. This massage helps to improve blood flow and circulation in the perineal area, which can help to heal episiotomies, tears during childbirth, and haemorrhoids.
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a condition that can cause pain in the lower back, hips, buttocks, and thighs during pregnancy. Women’s health physiotherapy can help to relieve this pain by using techniques such as mobilizations, muscle release therapy, and electrotherapy.
Postpartum recovery is another area where women’s health physiotherapy can be beneficial. After giving birth, many women experience issues such as incontinence, urinary or faecal , pelvic floor prolapse , or perineal trauma .
How to Find a Qualified Women’s Health Physiotherapist
If you’re seeking a qualified women’s health physiotherapist, here are some tips to help you find the right one.
Check their qualifications. Make sure they have completed an accredited physiotherapy program and have postgraduate training in women’s health.
Inquire about their experience. Find out how long they have been working with women and what types of conditions they treat most often.
Ask for referrals. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professionals you trust to see if they can recommend a good physiotherapist for your needs.
Get a consultation. Once you’ve found a few qualified candidates, schedule consultations with each of them to get a sense of their bedside manner and see if you feel comfortable working with them.