Women’s physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one of the modern day alternative medicines, which aims to provide help through movement,
lifestyle advices and education, while avoiding chemicals, drugs or surgery. Physiotherapists can play an
important role in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from a wide range of conditions. They mostly provide help
to cure long-term conditions such as asthma, or back and headaches, but it is advised to seek their help for
short-term and sudden injuries as well.

Unfortunately, one out of three women experience not only short-term, but long-term health problems during their
lifetime. However, modern day women tend to consider other parts of their life – such as career or family – a lot
more important than their own health. Women are more likely to tolerate their health problems without seeking
help. Sadly, most of them are also unaware that there are easy, natural and effective treatments available
especially for women.

Physiotherapists specialised in women’s health play an important role in the treatment of many conditions
affecting women. They treat problems and conditions through all stages of a woman’s life – from adolescents,
through childbearing years to older women.

After assessing the patient’s complete physical condition and health problems, the physiotherapist will advise her
the most appropriate treatment, and will give guidance in relation to general lifestyle or diet changes.
Women’s health physiotherapy covers all the critical problems related to Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and many
more.

Women’s physiotherapists are most often visited when seeking help with back and pelvic pain, or other issues,
associated with pregnancy. Diabetic women also often seek advice from physiotherapists during pregnancy.
They also treat patients suffering from anorectal or gynaecological conditions. The most common pelvic floor
problems affecting women are urinary and faecal incontinence, or uterine and vaginal prolapse. It is important to
know that urinary incontinence, or UI, is twice as common with women as with men. Pregnancies, childbirth, loss
of hormones at menopause are the major causes of both UI and prolapse.

When it comes to sexual dysfunction in women’s life, it seems like a subject that it easier to be accepted than to
be talked about. These issues are extremely private and hard to deal with, but they should not be ignored. It is a
common misconception among women that decreased sexual sensation is inevitable following pregnancy
(news/pilates-for-expectant-mothers.html) and labour. They do have a relation, because it’s mostly caused by the
weakened pelvic floor muscles. However, these muscles’ strength – like any other’s – can be increased by the
help of a physiotherapist.

Women can turn to women’s health physiotherapy also with chronic pelvic pain, vulval conditions, problems
caused by the menopause, or with women’s cancer.

Physiotherapists not only treat the conditions, they are also keen to motivate, educate and encourage. One of
physiotherapy’s core advantages is the patient’s active involvement.

Physiotherapists can offer a range of activities during the treatment of problems affecting especially women.
These can include:
- pre and post-natal Pilates (treatments/pilates-in-ec4.html)
- special mother and baby classes - from pregnancy and parenting classes, to complex care for high risk
pregnancies before, during and after birth
- pelvic floor and core abdominal muscle strengthening exercises and programmes
- back and neck pain treatment techniques and appliances
- massage
- physical preparation for labour (positions, breathing techniques, massage, relaxation)
- rehabilitation following pelvic floor surgery or hysterectomy
Remember that women’s health physiotherapists are highly trained professionals and treat their patients with
maximum discretion and high-level privacy. Never be too embarrassed to turn to a physiotherapist with your
problems.

Be smart and put your own health first – after all, without perfect health you will never be able to fully provide for
your family or at your job.