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The Femina Physical Therapy Blog
Featuring original articles by our staff about current events and trends
With emphasis on vaginismus, pregnancy and postpartum best practices, treatments for incontinence, and other topics related to the health of your pelvic floor.
Featured From the Blog:
Introducing The Origin Fund - Helping Women in Need
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.
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!
Treating Bloating and Abdominal Distension: a Multi-Disciplinary Team
Why a Multi-Disciplinary Team is Best for Treating Bloating and Abdominal Distension
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!
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- Written by: Staff
- 6494 Views
Many women experience lower libido, vaginal dryness, sore muscles, and tender skin in the genital area after childbirth.
These issues can make sex uncomfortable, or even unappealing.
Many women are not comfortable bringing up their sex lives to their doctors and midwives, thinking that it “will get better with time.” However, if you find your sexual health impacted for more than a few months after childbirth, you might start to wonder when you’ll be feeling back to normal.
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- Written by: Staff
- 5659 Views
Do you really know what happens to your hormones during pregnancy? Do you know what hormones are in play during pregnancy?
Well, let’s go through some of the hormones and their functions during pregnancy, so you can have a better understanding of what is occurring in your body.
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- Written by: Staff
- 4328 Views
As many places in the United States and around the globe are beginning to navigate new realities and daily routines in light of COVID-19, there is undoubtedly a lot of stress, anxiety, and helplessness affecting not only individuals, but our entire global community.
I myself am writing to you on day 7 of a 14 day quarantine and the Los Angeles community is preparing to abide by a “stay at home” ordinance with no definite end date at the time of this blog.
As various studies have shown, mindfulness meditation is an indispensable tool to help soothe stress and anxiety, reduce chronic pain, as well as keep your brain well resourced and healthy. In fact, this study by S. Lazar in 2005 showed that those with a steady, long term meditation practices have more brain matter than those who did not.
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- Written by: Staff
- 6156 Views
Greetings!
Today is another blog post to help you connect with resources to help manage the feelings of stress, anxiety, and helplessness in light of COVID 19 and the ways in which our global community is facing this challenge together.
What are Tai Chi and Qi Gong?
Tai Chi and Qi Gong are both ancient Chinese practices which involve slow, mindful movements, meditation, and breathing exercises. Both schools of martial art are low impact and designed to increase circulation, balance, and alignment. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these practice are also thought to restore energy, otherwise known as chi or qi (pronounced "chee").
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- Written by: Staff
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Many people start like to start the new year off with exercise regimens and plans to lose weight.
Unfortunately, often times women who start exercise programs to lose weight also lose their ability to control of their bladders and experience urine leakage during physical activity, otherwise known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
So what makes certain exercises more leak-prone? Which exercises put less stress on your pelvic floor? Read on to find out.
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- Written by: Staff
- 46043 Views
Pelvic pain during the postpartum period is common, even for those who had a “perfect and easy” pregnancy, labor and delivery. Often times, healthcare providers will tell women that the pain “will get better with time,” however it's important to advocate for yourself and seek out care if you feel like you need it. Read my previous article about advocating for your postpartum care here.
Common types of postpartum pelvic pain and what you can do at home:
Vaginal Dryness
After delivery, your estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels stay high, especially if your are breastfeeding.
What you can do:
A simple solution can be drinking more water and using a water-based lubricant, read my previous blog on choosing the right lubricant for you.
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- Written by: Staff
- 18016 Views
Pain at the pubic bone is also known as pelvic girdle pain
It is a common ailment experienced during pregnancy
In fact, in a study by Mogren (2006), 50% of pregnant women have some type of pelvic girdle pain prior to 20 weeks gestation. The pain can make daily activities like working, walking, and doing chores, painful if not impossible, and can can also negatively affect quality of life and sexual life during pregnancy (Mogren, 2006).
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4999 Views
Optimizing Your Pelvic Floor Health is No Longer a Secret
As pelvic floor physical therapy gains acceptance amongst an ever widening audience, popular websites such as Next Avenue are providing much needed exposure to their readers.
In a recent article entitled "Could Your Symptoms Point to a Pelvic Floor Disorder?", author Brette Sember quotes Heather Jeffcoat as part of this wide ranging discussion of pelvic floor treatments:
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- Written by: Staff
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Believe it or not, the pelvic floor can affect the quality of our breathing.
The opposite is also true:
Promoting efficient diaphragmatic breathing can improve function of the pelvic floor.
In this study by Zivkovic et al. Zivkovic et al. , diaphragmatic breathing exercises were effective in helping to retrain children with voiding dysfunctions, including bowel and bladder issues.
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- Written by: Staff
- 20657 Views
Don’t squat and hover to pee!
Sit down and relax your pelvic floor muscles.
Ok, ok so this tip is always met with some pushback, but to those of you who prefer to squat and hover to pee rather than sit should be aware that this habit is not good for your pelvic floor! Sit down and relax!
Why is it so bad for you to squat and hover to pee?
When you are in a partial squat, hovering over the toilet, the muscles of your glutes, legs, abs, back, and pelvic floor are activated and cannot fully relax. For urine to flow easily and fully, the pelvic floor muscles and the muscles surrounding your pelvis have to relax.
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- Written by: Staff
- 10011 Views
Every person with a uterus will experience menopause during their lifetime.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a term that describes the different genital, sexual, and urinary signs and symptoms that can occur during menopause.
The symptoms of GSM can greatly affect quality of life, so it is important to be aware the signs so that you can seek out appropriate care and support from your healthcare team.
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- Written by: Staff
- 25862 Views
Presents for your Pelvic Floor
Give the gift of pelvic health this holiday season!
Check out these pelvic floor friendly products we have for sale at the clinic. Give us a call or stop by our Montrose or Sherman Oaks locations to purchase some items.
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- Written by: Staff
- 8440 Views
There Are Several Options For Non-Hormonal Treatments for GSM.
Some include hormones, while others do not.
Today we will review some non-hormone treatment options. As always, consult with your physician to help you make the best decisions regarding your health.
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- Written by: Staff
- 12825 Views
A New Year's resolution for your pelvic floor health: learn your anatomy.
Have you ever looked at your genitalia in the mirror? Like REALLY looked at it?
One of the most empowering things you can do for your pelvic health is to take a look at yourself in the mirror and learn your anatomy.
Here is a quick primer on how to stay on top of what's going on down there, including tips on simple self examination and resources to find more information.
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- Written by: Staff
- 7320 Views
Simple Yoga Poses for Overcoming Foot Pain
Everyone experiences sore feet at some point during our busy lives. Here are a few simple yoga poses that you can do almost anywhere to relieve the pain of sore feet during the busy holiday season - or anytime for that matter!
Mountain Pose
Become aware of your feet and how you distribute your weight across them.
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 6394 Views
"Girls’ Night Out" Showcased InControl Medical's Fabulous Products
Hosted by Femina PT at LA's Big and Tiny
Three expert speakers chatted and answered questions on female pelvic and sexual health. One of our major sponsors was InControl Medical, the creators of one of my favorite product lines for urinary, bowel and sexual dysfunction. They have three different products that are focused on these basic necessities of female health and wellness.
