Biologically, women’s bodies are very different from men’s bodies. This means that a wide range of health issues that women encounter are specific only to women. Post-pregnancy problems, menopause issues, and afflictions that plague the ovaries or uterus are only a handful of the many that affect women all over the world.
While so many problems can affect women’s health on a day-to-day basis, there are a handful of ways to treat women-centric health issues. Women’s health physiotherapy is one of the most reliable methods to identify, provide support for, and ultimately treat health concerns that may arise.
What is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy refers to the non-surgical treatments used to provide aid and healing. Women’s health physiotherapy specifically targets the health problems that women can encounter.
While general physiotherapy can be beneficial for women, specific problems are more accurately addressed by someone who understands the hormones, structure, and nuances of the biology of women.
A reason why women’s health physiotherapists are in demand is the sensitivity of the topics covered by such therapists. It’s understandably awkward or uncomfortable for women to share their woman-specific experiences with their regular doctors. Also, while doctors are well-equipped with knowledge about women’s health, such topics might be treated with some scientific distance or with little sensitivity to the issue and its side effects not only on the patient’s health but also on their quality of life.
Women’s health physiotherapists are trained to handle these issues with both emotional and physical care, making sure that all patients are comfortable throughout the process of getting to know their own bodies better, taking control, and healing.
What does a women’s health physiotherapist do?
A women’s physio identifies issues and prescribes solutions better suited for female-oriented symptoms.
Also, a women’s physio can aid in keeping women’s bodily processes more bearable or comfortable. Processes such as adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause— span key biological events within a woman’s lifetime. (Yes, even kids visit physiotherapists!)
The following are also vital issues that physiotherapists tend to focus on:
– Pelvic health concerns, such as injuries or irritations
– Hormonal imbalances
– Gynaecological surgeries
– Fitness
– Endometriosis and other reproductive disorders
– Incontinence
– Menstruation
– Osteoporosis
– General health
– Prolapse (organ drooping or abdominal separation)
Women’s health physiotherapists are trusted experts in listening to their patients and suggesting modes of therapy and action for them and their patients to stick to and follow.
Discussions between physiotherapists and their patients stay between them, so rest assured that women can trust their physio with details about their bodies and related histories.
What should a woman expect when visiting a women’s health physiotherapist?
Usually done at the beginning of the appointment, your physiotherapist will ask about any goals or objectives you’d like to set prior to beginning your healing journey.
As the appointment progresses, your physiotherapist will take the responsibility to educate you on various women’s health occurrences, especially ones that are related to any afflictions you may have.
Your physiotherapist will thoroughly ask questions about your body’s history— particularly your gynaecological history— in addition to details about your sex life, bladder, and bowel movement.
Once the comprehensive screening is complete, your physiotherapist is then expected to conduct a series of assessments and tests to get a more in-depth look into your unique biology. Physical assessments will be done in order to look for restrictions in movement, any form of pain, tightness of muscles or joints, and so on. These assessments will require you to move around
Your physiotherapist can also opt to go deeper into their assessment, diving into processes such as testing via ultrasound and biofeedback machines.
Once they’ve gathered all the needed data, your physiotherapist will then present a plan of action for you to follow in order to improve your reported circumstance. They can begin an exercise plan or begin teaching you or training you regarding certain techniques to help maximize comfort, ease pain, and keep yourself in tip-top shape.
When should a woman see a women’s health physiotherapist?
There are many reasons why a woman would want or need to see a physiotherapist.
One reason why a woman is prompted to visit their physio is due to a referral from other doctors.
Others visit their physio to address specific concerns. Listed below are some of the most common problems why women opt for physio:
- Vaginal pain
- Bowel concerns such as constipation and incontinence
- Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
- Issues with menstruation
- Issues with menopause
- Pelvic pain
- Bodily pains pre-, during, and post pregnancy
- Mastitis or blocked milk ducts
- Post-surgery pain and rehabilitation, such as caesarean scar management
Some women also want to be advised on what to do during major female cycle changes, such as pregnancy and menopause, or even for less urgent issues, such as irregular periods or adolescence in general.
When in doubt about a particular sensation or recurring pain in the pelvis, it’s best to see a women’s health physiotherapist.
And of course, at any stage of pregnancy, it is highly advisable to visit a physiotherapist for the best course of action for the most comfortable and least painful delivery.
Which women’s health physiotherapist should you entrust your health with?
The only physiotherapists you should entrust your health with are those with a lot of proven experience under their belt.
Thankfully, Enrich physio comes with a trusty team of expert physiotherapists specifically trained to guide, care for, and treat women of all ages, with all types of female-specific afflictions and circumstances.
Enrich physio’s staff is made up of warm and friendly individuals who care about your well-being— and caring for your health the proper way, from proper exercise all the way down to education, rehabilitation, management, and monitoring.
Ready to live life to the fullest?
Enrich physio is here to assist you every step of the way.
Give us a call today and begin your journey towards the comfort and care you deserve.