Start Your Pelvic Health Journey
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...
Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation (TBML)
Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation Can Help Make Breastfeeding Less Painful
Breastfeeding is widely accepted as the normal standard for providing nutrition to newborns, however, many women who do not reach their breastfeeding goals. US national data stated that breast pain was a commonly reported reason for women weaning less than 1 month postpartum. Within that segment, 29% of women who participated in the study stated that “breastfeeding was too painful” to continue.
In the same study, 24% of women reported “breasts feel(ing) too full or engorged” as another reason to discontinue breastfeeding prior to 1 month postpartum.1 Currently, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first six months of life. As physical therapists who treat patients with postpartum conditions, we are well positioned to make a big impact on patients with breastfeeding related pain and reduce barriers to continued breastfeeding!
- Details
- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 5593 Views
Exploring the Mind-Body Connection to Painful Sex
Pain during sex isn’t in your head… but it can ‘get into your head’.
The medical community recently had a major a-ha moment about painful sex. It’s something the women who suffer from it have always known – but the results of a recent study about it could be a game-changer for treatment.
Whether you have a clinical diagnosis like vaginismus or dyspareunia, or you just know that sex hurts, painful sex is a common problem - almost half of all women will experience it at some point in life. More than 20% of premenopausal women say sex is painful; the prevalence is higher in women under 30. For some, it’s difficulty during intercourse; for others, it’s significant pain upon penetration. Still, others may not be able to experience penetration at all.
- Details
- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4288 Views
Helping Women in Need With Our Community in Mind
The Origin Fund is dedicated to facilitating access to services that address a person’s physical, emotional and medical needs. Our focus is on individuals with pelvic health dysfunctions, and we are dedicated to improving the biopsychosocial aspects of each person as a whole. Through education, outreach and providing access to these services, we can support individuals on their journey to address their pain and dysfunction—linking patients to our network of referrals that provide these services.
Read more: Introducing The Origin Fund - Helping Women in Need
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 33626 Views
Let's Look at the Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength on Orgasm
Hint: strong pelvic floor muscles = strong orgasm
The world is learning more and more about the pelvic floor and the many ways that it can be treated. At Femina Physical Therapy, we have spoken about pelvic rehab for urinary, bowel, birth, pregnancy, bladder, erectile issues, and many more. But we all know the question that everyone wants answered: Does pelvic floor strength affect orgasm?
Well reader, you came to the right place.
Read more: The Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength on Orgasm
- Details
- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4484 Views
A recent pilot study looked at how resilience affects patients with urinary chronic pelvic pain (UCPP) conditions and chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs). Resilience can be defined as the “capacity to adapt successfully to disturbances that threaten a patient's viability, function or development.” (Southwick et al., 2014) Resilience is now an important aspect in the treatment of pain, as it can increase psychosocial well‐being and the quality of life in patients living with chronic pain. (Casale et al., 2019)
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 3165 Views
November is Bladder Health awareness month and we would like to discuss with our readers a significant update to the research regarding Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). In May 2022, the American Urological Association (AUA) released updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of IC/BPS. The purpose of the bladder pain syndrome treatment guideline is to provide a “clinical framework” for best practice regarding the management of patients who experience this. That includes what should and shouldn’t be done for patients, and how to avoid unnecessary or harmful interventions. The previous bladder pain syndrome treatment guidelines were released 8 years ago, in 2014.
What is Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome anyways?
Read more: An Update to Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome...
- Details
- Written by: Sarina Karwande PT, DPT, CAFS
- 7705 Views
Muscles And Potty Training, What's the Connection?
Red flags to spot once your child starts potty training, how to prevent poor habits from forming, and when to see a pelvic floor physical therapist
Believe it or not children can show signs of a pelvic floor dysfunction like adults AND show similar signs and symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy is for anyone with a human body… these are the muscles that hold up our organs and prevent them from falling out (literally)! Pelvic floor dysfunctions can occur when the muscles of the pelvic floor have lost the ability to properly contact or fully relax.
Symptoms in children tend to become noticeable once potty training begins and have the potential to linger into their teens/ adulthood if gone untreated. It is important to pay attention to behaviors and poor habits that could indicate your child is having a tough time on the toilet.
Read more: What’s The Deal With Muscles And Potty Training? |...
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 4339 Views
More About Urinary Incontinence and Physical Therapy
Urinary Incontinence Under the Radar: Part 2
Welcome back for Part 2! November is Bladder Health Awareness month, and Femina PT would like to shine light on something that tends to go understated, unaddressed, brushed off as “normal”: urinary incontinence. In this blog series we’ve been addressing the various effects that urinary incontinence has on an individual’s life, and how conservative physical therapy treatment can help combat them. If you missed last week’s article, you can find it here.
Last week, we went over a lot of statistics. Urinary incontinence is without a doubt a healthcare crisis and places an enormous burden on the individual and their family members. Urinary incontinence, and the related sequelae, is expensive, isolating, and poses the risk of delirium, falls, pressure ulcers, and abuse.
Read more: Under the Radar: Urinary Incontinence and Physical Therapy...
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 16910 Views
Treatment Options for Tarlov Cyst: Physical Therapy
This article will go over what a Tarlov cyst is, what symptoms can arise from having a Tarlov cyst, how it is diagnosed, and common conservative and surgical treatments.
What is a Tarlov Cyst?
Tarlov cysts are sacral perineural cysts that consist of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) close to the dorsal root ganglion on our sacral spine (the triangle shaped bone that connects to our tailbone). Tarlov cysts are often incidental findings on MRI’s, meaning most people with no symptoms may have Tarlov cyst(s). Paulsen, et al, looked at 500 MRIs of the lumbosacral spine and found an incidental rate of 4.6%; of which 20% were symptomatic. Approximately 1% of the cysts are large enough to cause compression, thus requiring prompt treatment.
Read more: Tarlov Cyst: Physical Therapy and Treatment Options
