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The Femina Physical Therapy Blog
Featuring original articles by our staff about current events and trends
Explore our insightful blog articles on pelvic health, where we delve into essential topics that empower and educate. From understanding pelvic floor disorders to strategies for conquering infertility, our content is designed for those seeking knowledge and support. We discuss the latest research, expert advice, and practical tips to enhance your well-being and foster a deeper connection to your body.
Featured From the Blog:
Lightning Crotch in Pregnancy: How You Can Start Recovering from SPD
What is symphysis pubis dysfunction (Lightning Crotch)?
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), also known as pubic symphysis dysfunction, anterior pelvic girdle pain, or lightning crotch, is a common musculoskeletal condition that is experienced by pregnant women and can vary from minor discomfort to severely debilitating pain. It is typically characterized by discomfort in the front pelvic area that can radiate to the inner thighs and perineum (think where your pubic bone is).
Read more: Lightning Crotch in Pregnancy: How You Can Start...
Restorative 20 Minute Home Yoga Practice For Chronic Pelvic Pain
Yoga Practice For Chronic Pelvic Pain Can Be a Very Helpful Routine
As stated in my last blog post, yoga can be so beneficial as a pain management tool due to its ability to modulate the sympathetic nervous system3,4 which plays a large role in chronic pain. The exact mechanism of how yoga helps with chronic pain is still being studied, however, it is reasonable to believe the full body relaxation promoted by a yoga practice helps to decrease tension in key muscle groups- including the hips and pelvic floor which are often tight in people with chronic pelvic pain.
Currently, evidence has mostly focused on one hour long practices as an intervention, although there are some studies that report improvements in pain with shorter practices, such as the routine below. As with any mobility/stretching routine, benefits will be seen with more frequent practice, however even twice weekly can help decrease pain.
Read more: Restorative 20 Minute Home Yoga Practice For Chronic...
Understanding Relaxin: Why It Doesn’t Cause Pain in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of significant physical and hormonal changes, and among the many hormones involved, Relaxin plays a crucial role. However, there’s a common misconception that Relaxin is responsible for pain during pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at what Relaxin does and why it doesn’t directly cause pain.
What is Relaxin?
Relaxin is a regulatory hormone involved in growth, metabolism, and tissue remodeling after an injury to our bones, ligaments, muscles or tendons (Dehghan 2014). During pregnancy, Relaxin levels begin to increase in the first trimester to help the body prepare for childbirth by relaxing the ligaments in the pelvis and softening the cervix (Aldabe 2012, Daneau 2014). The ligaments of the pelvis will begin to relax around the 10th-12th week of pregnancy (Aldabe 2012). This process allows for greater flexibility in the pelvic area, facilitating delivery and accommodating the growing baby.
Read more: Understanding Relaxin: Why It Doesn’t Cause Pain in...
- Details
- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 589 Views
Are Crunches for Diastasis Recti Abdominus a Good Idea? Let's Discuss.
What does the most recent evidence say about the best exercises to rehab from DRA?
Diastasis recti abdominis, more commonly seen as DRA, is an extremely common condition that occurs in almost 100% of pregnant women, and is still present in about 32% of women 12 months postpartum (Theodorsen et al).
This article covers:
- The definition of a Diastasis Recti Abdominus (DRA)
- How to know if you have a DRA
- Dispelling myths about abdominal exercises during pregnancy and postpartum
Read more: Crunches for Diastasis Recti Abdominus (DRA): To Crunch Or...
- Details
- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 683 Views
Learn How Orgasm Improves Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function
Try a naturally occurring strengthening method
Many factors come into play when considering resuming to sexual activity postpartum. Individuals who have just given birth are not only faced with potentially new physical aches and pains, but also shifting family and partner dynamics, which all play a role in painful sex and lowered sexual desire.
One study reported both of these common postpartum conditions as prevalent as 22% experiencing painful sex and 86% experiencing loss of desire2. It is common in postpartum rehabilitation to be prescribed specific pelvic floor exercises in order to help strengthen the pelvic floor.
Read more: How Orgasm Improves Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function
- Details
- Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS
- 1904 Views
Bloating and Abdominal Distension Often Benefit Greatly from Multidisciplinary Treatment
Bloating, abdominal distension, loose stools, constipation, abdominal or pelvic pain, fatigue, brain fog, weakness, nutritional deficiencies…
These symptoms may be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal or pelvic conditions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, this article is a good place to start when deciding who to have on your care team, and what treatments can help!
Bloating is the sensation of excess abdominal gas or a feeling of being distended without obvious visible abdominal distension. Some people have a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper abdominal area. Abdominal distension is the visible increase in abdominal girth. A multidisciplinary treatment team of primary care physicians (PCPs), gastroenterologists, dieticians/ nutritionists, and physical therapists is ideal to help manage these symptoms and find the root cause. For example, symptoms of bloating and abdominal distension affect 66 - 90% diagnosed with IBS. Getting the proper diagnosis can help direct the best treatment options for you.
Read more: Why a Multidisciplinary Team is Best for Treatment of...
- Details
- Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS
- 556 Views
Learn These Simple Exercises For Pregnancy Related Carpal Tunnel Relief
During pregnancy, swelling is a common occurrence.
Swelling of the legs, feet, and ankles is common, but also the wrists and hands! Over time, this can cause compression, inflammation, and irritation of the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist (which is on the palm-side of the wrist). This compression and irritation is called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is common in pregnancy due to the extra fluids retained in the body, as well as hormonal changes causing increased flexibility of ligaments and joints in the body. It is estimated that between 19 to 70% of pregnant people experience carpal tunnel syndrome, and 47.5% of those people have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. It is more common in the third trimester, accounting for 63% of cases.1
Read more: Pregnancy Related Carpal Tunnel Relief - Exercises for...
- Details
- Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS
- 643 Views
What to Know if You're Experiencing Lower Abdominal Pain with Orgasm
Read on for Common Causes and Solutions
Pain with orgasm or climax is called dysorgasmia, and it can be caused by physical, emotional and/ or psychological factors. Typically dysorgasmia is felt as pain with climax in or around the lower abdomen or clitoris, but symptoms can feel different from one person to the next. Due to a lack of research on female dysorgasmia, it is unknown how many vulva-owners experience pain with orgasm. However, around 3 in 4 people with a vulva have experienced pain with vaginal penetration (called dyspareunia) at some point in their life, according the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Read more: Lower Abdominal Pain with Orgasm - Female Dysorgasmia
- Details
- Written by: Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT
- 539 Views
What do Breastfeeding women need and want? Let's take a closer look.
You’ve had your bundle of joy and you’re working out the kinks of having a new baby in your life and feeding them the best you can. From breastfeeding to return to exercise, there are many challenges that new moms must navigate.
There are a wide range of feeding options, from exclusively breastfeeding to formula/food feeding or a combination of the two. Studies have tried to get a better understanding of what women need in this stage of motherhood, particularly determining what impacts breastfeeding may have on exercise and activity. We know that breastfeeding causes a depression in estrogen which in turn can cause pelvic floor dysfunction like the involuntary leakage of urine with activities such as sneezing, coughing, laughing or exercise defined as stress urinary incontinence. This type of incontinence has been linked to a longer duration of breastfeeding, however its effects are not lasting (Snyder). Breastfeeding people may also have breast-related discomforts such as nipple pain, mastitis, and over/under supply. Any of these symptoms may limit one’s motivation to exercise.
Read more: What do Breastfeeding Women Need and Want? - No One Told...
- Details
- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 637 Views
Exploring the clinical consequences of Levator Ani Muscle Avulsion
Including its risk factors and current management strategies, including the role of pelvic floor physical therapy
Levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion is a significant concern in obstetric care, particularly for women undergoing vaginal delivery. This condition involves a tear in the levator ani muscle, which plays a crucial role in pelvic support and function. Avulsion of the levator ani muscle from its insertions has a significant impact on the function of the pelvic floor, often leading to symptoms such as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and bowel incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.
The Clinical Consequences of Levator Ani Muscle Avulsion
According to Dietz (2012), levator ani avulsion can lead to a range of adverse outcomes, impacting a woman's quality of life. The levator ani muscle supports pelvic organs and maintains continence. When avulsion occurs, this support is compromised, increasing the risk of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and other functional disorders. The severity of these outcomes can vary, but they often necessitate further medical intervention.
Read more: Understanding Birth Injuries: Levator Ani Muscle Avulsion
- Details
- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 792 Views
Pregnancy is a time of significant physical and hormonal changes, and among the many hormones involved, Relaxin plays a crucial role. However, there’s a common misconception that Relaxin is responsible for pain during pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at what Relaxin does and why it doesn’t directly cause pain.
What is Relaxin?
Relaxin is a regulatory hormone involved in growth, metabolism, and tissue remodeling after an injury to our bones, ligaments, muscles or tendons (Dehghan 2014). During pregnancy, Relaxin levels begin to increase in the first trimester to help the body prepare for childbirth by relaxing the ligaments in the pelvis and softening the cervix (Aldabe 2012, Daneau 2014). The ligaments of the pelvis will begin to relax around the 10th-12th week of pregnancy (Aldabe 2012). This process allows for greater flexibility in the pelvic area, facilitating delivery and accommodating the growing baby.
Read more: Understanding Relaxin: Why It Doesn’t Cause Pain in...
