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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:
Participate in a High Quality Study Using Shockwave Therapy for Painful Intercourse
Learn about low intensity shockwave therapy for painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
Our team at Femina Physical Therapy is committed to providing the highest level of evidence-based care. That is why we are conducting a research study to determine the effectiveness of low intensity shockwave therapy for painful intercourse, or dyspareunia as it is known clinically. We are searching for volunteers to participate in this high quality study. Those who qualify to participate will receive a significantly reduced rate on all visits related to the study + will receive our world-class physical therapy program for treating painful sex!
Read more: Participate in a High Quality Study Using Shockwave...
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!
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 17543 Views
You counted down the weeks until your baby’s arrival…
now you and your partner are counting down the days until your doctor gives you the green light to have sex again.
That’s a good thing; intimacy is an important factor in your relationship and your own well-being. But whether this is your first baby, or you’re sure it’s your last, your anticipation might be tinged with some anxiety. After all, your body has been through a lot since that positive pregnancy test result.
Sleepless nights, fluctuating hormones, and breastfeeding challenges can take a toll. Perhaps you’re still healing from a C-section or a physically challenging delivery. Even if giving birth was a breeze, and this is your easiest baby yet, you may worry that your expectations aren’t in sync with your partner’s.
When it comes to your postpartum sex life, what’s the new normal? And how soon can you get there?
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- Written by: Staff
- 28820 Views
Getting back to activities like sex after a hysterectomy can be intimidating.
Learn what a hysterectomy is, how it can affect your sexual function, and what pelvic floor physical therapy can do to help.
What is a hysterectomy?
Acording to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. It is a common type of surgery for women in the United States.
- Hysterectomy is used to treat many women’s health conditions including:
- Uterine fibroids (this is the most common reason for hysterectomy)
- Endometriosis (although it states this on ACOG, it is more correct for this to state Adenomyosis, which is endometriosis in the uterus. Please be clear -- a hysterectomy is NOT a cure for endometriosis).
- Pelvic support problems (such as uterine prolapse)
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Gynecologic cancer
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 12333 Views
If you’re facing a diagnosis of bladder cancer or a similar health concern, sex may be the last thing on your mind.
However, your sex life after a cystectomy (bladder removal surgery) should be a major consideration for any doctor who recommends it.
Sadly, research shows that’s much more likely to be true for men than it is for women. In fact – although sexual function after bladder removal is ‘routinely considered’ for male patients – surgeons in one study discussed complications that could affect pelvic health and sexual function with just 13% of female patients. Worse, the medical counseling those women got after surgery ignored the topic of sex altogether.
Read more: Sex After Cystectomy | What Women Need To Know Before...
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- Written by: Staff
- 11450 Views
How much do we really learn about intimacy, affection, sensual touching and sex while growing up?
A lot of our references for intimacy come from what we see in our families, movies, and for sex, a lot of the time porn. What we are individually exposed to will possibly become what we think is the norm, which can then possibly skew our views towards intimacy with a partner. For instance, if a woman watches porn for a sex reference she may think her vulva has to look a certain way or that she needs to attain an orgasm with penetration or to be intimate with her partner she has to have sex, when that’s not really the case.
Read more: Did You Know There's More Than Just Sex? Sensate Focus Can...
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- Written by: Staff
- 12881 Views
During this time of "safer at home" orders, we have been having to find more creative ways to move at home.
If you are someone that experiences urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse you may not be going out now to see a pelvic health physical therapist to guide you through a routine. In this blog post I’m going to go over a few mat pilates exercises I like to do with patients that experience urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). A study done in 2018 by Lausen et al, found that in the group that did mat pilates with standard physical therapy had more positive outcomes with their urinary incontinence, as well as, quality of life.
Read more: 3 Mat Pilates Exercises For Urinary Incontinence and POP
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- Written by: Mary P. Shriver, CMT
- 16050 Views
Chronic pain doesn’t just happen to the body. It effects our thoughts and our feelings.
When pain persists beyond the body's normal healing range, 12-20 weeks (let alone over 6 months or even 6 years) it can make us worried and upset. That worry and upset can make the pain feel worse. In fact, studies now show that unchecked thoughts and feelings can hijack the body/mind setting off a vicious cycle of chronic pain.
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- Written by: Staff
- 4957 Views
Check out these yoga poses for working at home that you can do in your home office setup!
Peform them at least 1-2x during your workday.
Many people working from home with the COVID-19 pandemic are finding themselves sitting hunched over a computer in non-ergonomic work setups -- kitchen counters, hard chairs or stools, or simply propped up in bed. Working for hours in these positions will lead to a stiff neck and shoulders, a sore lower back and tight hips, glutes,and pelvic floor muscles.
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- Written by: Staff
- 5887 Views
What is Anal Incontinence?
Anal Incontinence is defined as the complaint of involuntary loss of liquid or solid stool or the involuntary loss of gas.
It is supposedly an underreported condition because of its stigmatizing nature. It occurs in approximately 50% of women at long-term follow-up after anal sphincter injuries (Gommesen et al., 2019; Haylen et al., 2010; Damon et al., 2006; Cotterill, 2008).
