Why Women’s Health Physiotherapy Is So Important

Women’s health physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy that focuses on the unique health needs of women throughout their lives. From puberty to pregnancy, menopause to beyond, women experience a range of physiological changes that can impact their overall health and wellbeing. 

Women’s health physiotherapy provides a holistic and personalised approach to addressing these changes, helping women manage their symptoms, prevent health issues and improve their quality of life. In this article, we’ll explore why women’s health physiotherapy is so important and the many benefits it can offer.

What Is Women’s Health Physiotherapy?

Women’s health physiotherapy is a non-surgical treatment effective for all pelvic floor disorders. Symptoms like constipation, incontinence, vaginal prolapse and painful sex can be treated with physiotherapy. Additionally, physiotherapy is useful in treating medical conditions during pregnancy and after birth in women.

The female pelvic floor, composed of a group of muscles, provides the ability to support the baby during pregnancy. The contraction of pelvic floor muscles helps maintain continence, whereas the relaxation allows healthy bowel movements, urination, sexual intercourse and childbirth. 

Women face two types of pelvic floor problems: hypotonic and hypertonic

  • The hypotonic pelvic floor is a condition where muscle tone is low and is incapable of supporting normal pelvic functions. In hypotonic conditions, pelvic floor muscles become too weak and cannot properly stabilise and position your pelvis to support healthy bladder and bowel function.
  • Increased muscle tone is a characteristic feature of a hypertonic pelvic floor. In the hypertonic pelvic floor, muscles naturally become tighter. Women might have a harder time relaxing and have pain during intercourse.

 

Any symptom of incontinence is unpleasant to deal with, especially if it prevents you from engaging in your favourite activities. Women with hypertonic pelvic floor experience more pain when inserting tampons or during gynaecological tests. Whether you’re trying to go up and down stairs or exercise, women with a hypotonic pelvic floor typically experience more incontinence symptoms. Both of these physical predispositions can have several different effects on your day-to-day activities, so it’s important to find a treatment that best meets your needs.

Benefits of Physiotherapy for Women

Physical therapy benefits all females, from young athletes to women with children, menopausal women and older women. Physiotherapy for women benefits the following: 

  • Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urine flow. It is also known as an overactive bladder. Weakness in the pelvic floor muscles as a result of injury, pregnancy, surgery or inactivity causes urine leakage. 

  • Pre and post pregnancy physiotherapy

Physical therapy can also be used to treat pain in the pelvic region, lower back, ribs and thoracic region, as well as headaches, stiff necks, weak pelvic floor muscles, leg cramps, weak bladder muscles and abdominal muscles in pregnant women.

  • Antenatal physiotherapy

Physical therapy during pregnancy is referred to as antenatal or prenatal physiotherapy. It includes pelvic girdle pain treatment, childbirth education (relaxation techniques) and yoga practice.

  • Postnatal physiotherapy

Physical therapy after pregnancy is referred to as postnatal physiotherapy. It includes strengthening of the pelvic floor and rectus diastasis treatment. Rectus diastasis treatment helps rebuild the abdominal wall and improve core activation after childbirth. Postnatal physiotherapy also includes connective tissue therapy and caesarean scar treatment, which help women recover from C-sections. 

  • Obesity and its associated disorders

Women’s health physiotherapy is also useful in managing and preventing obesity in women. Obesity is usually associated with restricted body movement, thereby impacting the person’s physical activity. Physiotherapy treatment for obese women helps them lose weight in a controlled and safe environment. Additionally, it helps overcome ailments associated with obesity, such as knee pain, back pain, etc. 

  • Osteoporosis

Postmenopausal women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Bone-strengthening exercises are of the utmost importance when it comes to maintaining the health of osteoporotic bones. In postmenopausal women, physiotherapy reduces the likelihood of bone fractures and prevents additional bone loss. 

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

The medical condition known as PCOS affects women and occurs when the ovaries produce multiple undeveloped eggs that eventually form cysts on the ovaries. Genetic tendencies and hormonal imbalances often result in PCOS. Physiotherapy helps women lose weight gained as a result of lower insulin levels and oestrogen storage in adipose tissue. Hence, physiotherapy is also used to alleviate the symptoms of PCOD. 

What Does A Women’s Health Physiotherapist Do?

A women’s health physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who specialises in addressing the unique health needs of women at different stages of their lives. They provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions related to women’s health, with a particular focus on the female reproductive system and pelvic health. They also offer education, guidance and support to help women maintain their overall health and prevent future health issues.

Women’s health physiotherapists can help women manage a variety of conditions, such as: 

  • urinary incontinence
  • pelvic pain
  • sexual dysfunction
  • pelvic organ prolapse
  • pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain. 

 

Women’s health physiotherapists use a combination of techniques to address these conditions, including manual therapy, exercise prescription, education and lifestyle advice. They work closely with their patients to develop personalised treatment plans that address their specific needs and goals. By providing specialised care that focuses on women’s health, women’s health physiotherapists play a critical role in supporting women’s overall health and wellbeing.

Be at Your Best With FlexiFit Physiotherapy

Did this article help you understand women’s health physiotherapy better and what does a women’s health physiotherapist do? We hope so.

If you are someone or know somebody who might be suffering from pelvic floor disorders,  make sure to visit a professional physiotherapist who can help you with effective treatment. 

At FlexiFit Physiotherapy, we offer high quality care and ensure you can go back to leading your life free of pain and stress. Contact us here for more details.  

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FlexiFit Physiotherapy
FlexiFit Physiotherapy
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I can commend Georgia and Tessa for their excellent hands-on approach. So many physios nowadays are often hands-off, so being treated at FF has been a refreshing change 🙌🏻
Kirsten Alexander
Kirsten Alexander
Georgia and Tessa are both friendly and professional and have helped fix my injuries and get me moving again. They are very hands on and I highly recommend them
Danielle de Gail
Danielle de Gail
The girls at FlexiFit are simply amazing. So kind, friendly, understanding and knowledgeable. They know exactly what my body needs. My neck pain has improved dramatically since going here. Love my visits!
Meil's Curic
Meil's Curic
The team at FlexiFit Physio are exceptional practitioners who genuinely care about the outcomes for their clients. When you book with Georgia or Tessa you know you have their full attention for the session, they are not juggling multiple clients and their hands on therapeutic approach is seamless and extremely effective to reduce pain and enable progression from injury. I can not recommend them more highly. Thanks guys!
Julia Fujikawa
Julia Fujikawa
My experience at FlexiFit Physiotherapy has been truly exceptional, and I would wholeheartedly recommend both Georgia and Tessa to anyone in search of effective support for managing persistent pain conditions. Both Georgia and Tessa have been integral to my journey in addressing both acute knee pain and long-standing issues with back pain, tension headaches, and migraines. In the past, my interactions with healthcare professionals haven't always yielded lasting results. However, the level of attentiveness and authentic care they've shown for my overall well-being and the underlying causes of my pain are clearly reflected in their hands-on approaches, follow- up care and advice and healing strategies. I feel so lucky to have found this practice.
Yolande Van Vuuren
Yolande Van Vuuren
These girls saved my day! Professional & friendly service… despite being fully booked, they were quick to respond & help me on the first possible cancellation! Felt so bad with vertigo, was off balance and literally needed support & help to get into the rooms, walked out a different person, independent & without help… just amazing!
Jenny Duke
Jenny Duke
I’ve been seeing firstly Georgia and then Tessa at Flexifit Physiotherapy since I moved to the area early in 2022. I went there initially because I wanted a physiotherapist in the Collaroy area, but then I stayed because they really help. They have always listened to my various problems, asked questions and then worked using both hands-on therapy and have given me exercises to do at home to complement the treatment, making sure I knew what I was doing and doing it correctly. You get their undivided attention for the whole appointment and it never feels like you are being rushed through as just another body to be treated and that they’d rather be somewhere else. Thank you and long may you keep up the good work!!!
Elizabeth Koudsy
Elizabeth Koudsy
Highly recommend the professional, personalised and friendly service delivered by both Tessa and Georgia. I sort after their expertise to alleviate back/shoulder/neck aches. Their hands on treatment style is effective and worth a visit. I feel like I have a new lease on life after an appointment.
Alan Bowers
Alan Bowers
Sisters are doing it... After years of uncomfortable aches and twinges I was referred to FlexiFit. Georgia is my therapist and I'm ecstatic to report no more sleep deprived nights and an improved range of movement in my shoulders and overhead. Coupled with an arsenal of exercises for prevention. I give you 5/5 Georgia - Thank you, so very much
Ivona Richter
Ivona Richter
Georgia is just amazing!! The treatment is personalised and hands on, providing exceptional results. I have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone!!