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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:
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...
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!
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...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
