What is physical therapy for women like?

Functional Capacity Evaluation Process, SSOR Physical Therapist conducting FCE, Patient undergoing Functional Capacity Evaluation at SSOR

While physical therapy is for everyone, physical therapy for women is a specialized form of physical therapy. It focuses on issues that are unique to women, encompassing a variety of aspects of women’s health including issues related to pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic health, and conditions of the musculoskeletal system that are specific to women. 

What is physical therapy and physical therapy for women?

Physical therapy is a specialized health care practice. It focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal and movement conditions, disorders, and injuries. It is done by a highly trained, educated, and licensed physical therapist. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to address each patient’s unique needs. The intention of physical therapy is to improve a patient’;s quality of life, improve their physical function, restore their mobility, and help reduce any pain or discomfort they are experiencing. 

Physical therapy for women’s health is a specialized area within the field of physical therapy that is intended to cater to the unique physiological factors and health needs that are specific to women. These particular factors are taken into account when assessing and treating concerns. 

What are the specializations and benefits of women’s health physical therapy?

Women’s health physical therapy can help improve your quality of life. It can involve pelvic floor therapy or other specific treatments to women. Women are built differently from men. This can be seen through a difference in hormones and the stresses the female body can go through, like pregnancy and childbirth. Women’s health physical therapy can be beneficial to women in all stages of life from the young athlete to the postmenopausal woman. Issues that can be addressed in women’s physical therapy can include:

  • Pelvic health — Pelvic floor physical therapy is an important component of women’s health care. One in 3 women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction in her lifetime. This can include pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or painful intercourse. The goal of pelvic floor physical therapy is to help improve the muscle function of the pelvic floor and alleviate pain and symptoms from the dysfunction. This can be done through coordination and strengthening exercises.

  • Pregnancy and postpartum care — Pregnancy takes a toll on a woman’s body. Physical therapy through pregnancy and postpartum recovery can be beneficial in supporting a changing body. It can also help to alleviate discomfort felt in the different stages of pregnancy and postpartum healing. Postpartum physical therapy can help a woman recover her strength and function. It can also address any pelvic floor issues quickly before they become major problems.

  • Menopause — Menopause brings a lot of changes to a woman’s body. Physical therapy can help a woman going through menopause by helping to address bone health, joint issues, and the changes in muscle mass and flexibility that can fluctuate during this stage of changes in life.

  • Preventive care — Physical therapy for women can help educate women about proper body mechanics, posture and exercises. Preventive appointments can be beneficial in helping to prevent musculoskeletal injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, and help to improve posture that can help alleviate tension in the upper body affected by poor posture.

  • Gynecological surgery recovery — Women’s health physical therapy treatments after gynecological surgeries can promote a smoother rehabilitation and recovery process. 

Physical therapy treatments that can be beneficial for women’s health

Physical therapy treatments used to help women’s health conditions can vary based on the woman’s specific health condition and needs. Physical therapy treatments that can be beneficial in women’s health can include:

  • Pelvic floor exercises — These exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to improve bladder and bowel control, reduce pelvic pain, and address pelvic organ prolapse.

  • Manual therapy — Physical therapists may use manual therapy to help release tension in the pelvic floor muscles and other surrounding soft tissue. This can be helpful if the woman is experiencing pelvic pain and tightness.

  • Scar tissue mobilization — After gynecological surgeries, a physical therapist can perform scar tissue mobilization. This can help improve the mobility of tissue and reduce scar tissue, also called adhesions.

  • Sports-specific training — For women athletes, physical therapy can focus on sports-specific training. This can help with injury prevention and enhance performance.

  • Core strengthening — Diastasis recti and similar conditions or postpartum recovery may respond well to exercises designed to strengthen core muscles and abdominal function. 

SSOR should be your top choice for women’s health physical therapy care

SSOR can help women achieve their optimal physical health and well-being with this specialized care. Our team of experienced and knowledgeable physical therapists are well equipped to help address the unique health needs of women in their various stages of life. From pelvic floor issues, to pregnancy-related pain, to post-surgery rehabilitation, SSOR ensures that individual treatment plans are tailored to meet each woman’s specific condition and needs. By choosing SSOR for your women’s health physical therapy needs, you can experience improved pelvic health, better functioning and an overall improved quality of life. 

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.