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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:
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!
Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 1: Combined Hormonal Methods
We Take a Look at Combined Methods of Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia
In this three part series, we will explore the effects of hormonal contraceptive methods and their relationship with vulvodynia.
What is Hormonal Birth Control?
Hormonal birth control methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections, rings and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), work by altering hormone levels in the body to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives fall into two categories: combined, meaning they contain both estrogen and progestin (think the pill, patch, or ring), or contain progestin only (think progestin only pill or “POP”, arm implant, IUDs, or injections). While the primary intent of these drugs are for contraception, they are also widely prescribed for other common issues such as: mood imbalance related to periods, skin issues, irregular periods, and painful periods.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 1: Combined...
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...
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- Written by: Staff
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Cycling has become an increasingly popular mode of exercise and transportation, and before COVID-19 cycling classes were very popular.
Now with many cities under shelter in place ordinances, folks are dusting off their bicycles and riding the streets for exercise.
There are many health benefits to cycling, including improved cardiovascular health, better weight control, and decreased risk of breast cancer in women (Greenberg, 2019).
Despite all these amazing health benefits (I, myself am an avid bicyclist), you can ask almost anyone who has ridden a bike- the seats can get kind of uncomfortable after prolonged periods of time. And for some, issues worse than discomfort can arise: genital numbness, genital pain, nerve conduction issues, and sexual dysfunction. Through the years there has been some research that has linked bicycle riding, genital pain and genital numbness, and sexual dysfunction in both sexes. In fact, we’ve explored how rider/seat positioning on your bicycle can exacerbate nerve and orthopedic issues in past blogs.
Read more: Is Riding Your Bike Giving You Pelvic Floor Issues? Female...
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- Written by: Staff
- 4988 Views
A 2019 study by Towe et al., found that certain medical issues including metabolic syndrome, obesity, and eating disorders have an effect on female sexuality. The study also found evidence that incorporating of healthy dietary patterns into everyday life may positively influence female sexuality.
Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity May Cause Female Sexual Dysfunction
According to the Mayo Clinic, Metabolic Syndrome is a “cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. The syndrome increases a person's risk for heart attack and stroke.” Those with Metabolic Syndrome often have apple or pear shaped bodies.
Read more: Studies Find Connection Between Diet and Sexual Function
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- Written by: Staff
- 88796 Views
When it Comes to Sex With a Hip Impingement, Position Really Does Matter
It's no surprise that if you recently had hip surgery - or have an ongoing hip issue - that your sex life could suffer. Read on for some recommendations.
What is Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) Syndrome?
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is a disorder of the hip that typically affects young adults. It is the result of an abnormal contact between the greater trochanter of the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (the socket).
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- Written by: Staff
- 13611 Views
Manual Therapy Skills are an Often Overlooked Aspect of Physical Therapy
In is well documented in journals such as the International Urogynecology Journal and Harvard Medical School that patients see positive outcomes when they receive treatment with trained pelvic floor therapists. One of the most valued skills of a trained pelvic floor therapist is their manual therapy skills.
What is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is a clinical treatment approach using skilled, specific hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat soft tissues of the body. Manual therapy is used in a wide variety of rehabilitation settings, on all parts of the body.
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- Written by: Staff
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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.
Read more: Common Postpartum Issues That Make Sex Painful - and What...
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- Written by: Staff
- 6511 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.
Read more: What's Happening To Your Hormones During Pregnancy?
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- Written by: Staff
- 4669 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.
Read more: Ways to Keep Calm | Using Mindfulness Meditation in times...
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- Written by: Staff
- 6744 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").
Read more: Simple Tai Chi and Qi Gong Exercises to Reduce Stress and...
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- Written by: Staff
- 5338 Views
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
- 48010 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.
Read more: Postpartum Pelvic Pain and What You Can Do About It
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- Written by: Staff
- 19334 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).
Read more: What to do if You Have Pelvic Girdle Pain (Pubic Symphysis...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 6095 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:
Read more: NextAvenue.com | Could Your Symptoms Be Pointing to a...
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- Written by: Staff
- 5234 Views
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.
Read more: New Year's Resolutions for Your Pelvic Floor | Breathe!
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- Written by: Staff
- 22995 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.
Read more: New Year’s Resolutions for your Pelvic Floor | Don't Squat...
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- Written by: Staff
- 11658 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.
Read more: What is Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) and Why...
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- Written by: Staff
- 27326 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.
