PT In Motion proudly serves in the specialty of Women's Health for general women's pelvic floor health along with pregnancy and postpartum experiences.
Here at PT in Motion, we're known for taking care of kiddos. HOWEVER, there's someone that tends to get lost in the mix – moms! AND, we have NOT forgotten you.
Here are some common women's health and pelvic floor conditions we treat:
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
What is POP?
- Occurs when one or more pelvic organs drop down into the vagina
- Could include the uterus, bowel and bladder
- Can occur after child birth
Signs/Symptoms
- Heaviness sensation in lower belly and vagina
- Visible bulge in vagina
- Worsening symptoms with increased pressure or exertion
How Physical Therapy Can Help
- Addresses pelvic floor muscle tightness or laxity to decrease prolapse
- Pelvic floor muscle training to decrease prolapse during daily activities
- Pressure management using breath to reduce prolapse during daily and recreational activities
Diastasis Recti (DR)
What is it?
- Condition that occurs when the tendon that runs down the abdominal wall tears.
- Common during pregnancy due to the mother’s abdomen stretching.
- DR can heal on its own, but sometimes it does not and can lead to significant abdominal weakness
Signs/Symptoms/Common Complaints
- Visible gap in the middle of the abdomen
- Upon exertion or pressure to abdomen, bulging in the middle of the abdomen
- Difficulty engaging abdominals
How Physical Therapy Can Help
- Teaching correct abdominal engagement
- Target correct abdominal muscles to help close the gap
- Education on safe body mechanics and how to avoid further gapping
Musculoskeletal Pain
Some women develop back, hip and neck pain during or after pregnancy due to postural changes and laxity.
Signs/Symptoms
- Can be constant pain
- Can be pain associated with activities such as standing, lifting, bending, etc.
- Can be pain associated with certain positions like sitting or working on the computer
How Physical Therapy Can Help
- Focus on postural strength and body mechanics during daily and recreational activities
- Trains core system to work optimally during and after pregnancy
- Improves mobility, flexibility, strength and stability to help reduce pain
Urinary Problems
Signs/Symptoms
- leaking with activity (jumping, exercise, or picking up kids, groceries, etc.)
- leaking with sneezing/coughing/laughing
- leaking after void or don't feel like emptying bladder
- frequent urination
- feel like you have to push out to urinate
- constipation and difficulty with bowel movements, urgency with bowel movements
How Physical Therapy Can Help
- PT can help with bowel and bladder habits for improved lifestyle and decreased embarrassment
- Also, can help relaxing muscles that may be overactive and tight leading to bowel and bladder dysfunction
- PT can help with the coordination and strengthening if necessary for decreased leaking
Pain with Intercourse or Penetration
(such as getting a PAP smear)
Signs/Symptoms
- Painful pelvic exams pain with penetration
- discomfort with certain positions
How Physical Therapy Can Help
- PT can help to teach to relax muscles that are tight that can lead to pain with pelvic exams and/or intercourse
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
You can also call any of our clinics — our numbers are available on our Contact page.