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:
Postpartum Sexuality & Mood Changes in Women with Pelvic Girdle Pain
Does my pelvic girdle pain have anything to do with my mood and sexuality?
Many of our patients experience sexual dysfunction and anxiety, depression and chronic pain. These conditions are known to coexist, and we unpack each component of pain, mood and one’s behaviors, desires and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy.
Pelvic girdle pain is defined as “pain between the posterior iliac crests and gluteal folds particularly in the vicinity of the sacroiliac joint” (Simonds). More simply stated: in the very low area of your back and buttock. Pelvic girdle pain is common postpartum and may impact disability in the fourth trimester. Many are aware of peripartum symptoms such as low back pain, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pain with intercourse, and postpartum depression. Knowing that many women experience pain during and after pregnancy - what can we learn about the effects of pelvic girdle pain? Specifically, what impact does pelvic girdle pain have on symptoms of mood and sexuality?
Read more: Postpartum Sexuality & Mood Changes in Women with Pelvic...
Why a Multidisciplinary Team is Best for Treatment of Bloating and Abdominal Distension
Bloating and Abdominal Distension Often Benefit Greatly from Multidisciplinary Treatment
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!
Bloating is the sensation of excess abdominal gas or a feeling of being distended without obvious visible abdominal distension. Some people have a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper abdominal area. Abdominal distension is the visible increase in abdominal girth. A multidisciplinary treatment team of primary care physicians (PCPs), gastroenterologists, dieticians/ nutritionists, and physical therapists is ideal to help manage these symptoms and find the root cause. For example, symptoms of bloating and abdominal distension affect 66 - 90% diagnosed with IBS. Getting the proper diagnosis can help direct the best treatment options for you.
Read more: Why a Multidisciplinary Team is Best for Treatment of...
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!
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 7214 Views
Proper Postpartum Care is Crucial to Prevent "Ghostpartum"
Today we are addressing “Ghostpartum,” which may sound like a Halloween ghoul or goblin, but is actually a term used to describe the postpartum period where many do not receive appropriate care as they transition from pregnancy to parenthood. In fact, according to the American College of OB/GYN (ACOG), up to 40 percent of postpartum folks do not even seek proper postpartum care.
Read more: Ghostpartum | Advocating for Proper Postpartum Care
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 6306 Views
Spin The Right Way for Optimal Results!
Want to start a spin class? Afraid of returning to cycling because of knee pain or pelvic pain? Come see Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, or another therapist for an assessment of your form.
We love biking at Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy / Femina PT! We have a Peloton bicycle used to evaluate, modify and progress spinning and cycling routines. Our clinic director/owner Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, is our in-house spinning guru. She is here to help you with your form to spin the right way, as well as how to fit the bike properly to your body.
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 6353 Views
Learn How to Fit Your Bike Correctly With These Simple Tips
Did you know that riding a bike that doesn’t fit your body can cause and exacerbate nerve and orthopedic problems?
Avoid nerve and joint pain with the following tips!
Before We Begin: Ask for Help
If you are spinning at a gym or in a class, ask for assistance from cycling instructors if you need help you setting up your bike. Everyone needs help doing this when they begin!
If you are cycling at home, come see us at the clinic or have us come out to your house! Clinic owner Heather Jeffcoat, DPT does custom fit assessments in her Sherman Oaks office and our other locations across the greater Los Angeles area.
Read more: Ready, Set, Cycle | How to Fit Your Bike Correctly
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 9947 Views
It’s truly amazing what bodies endure during and following pregnancy. We praise all the new parents that come into the clinic for their resilience not only physically but mentally, taking care of themselves as well as being a caretaker 24/7 whether it’s one child or three children, it really is a super power.
- Details
- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4462 Views
I just returned to Los Angeles after completing an amazing eight day trip to Beijing, China. There I had the opportunity to work with the Chinese Olympic Committee, their rehabilitation staff and athletes. I gave two lectures with hands-on labs to their physiotherapists on Hip Impingement and Cyclist's Syndrome (Pudendal neuralgia in cyclists). Did I talk about the pelvic floor muscles in both lectures? You bet I did! Monica is my awesome Mandarin translator pictured standing next to me below.
Read more: Heather Returns from Work with the Chinese Olympic Committee
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 12147 Views
Constipation and pelvic floor disorders often go hand-in-hand for clients with hypertonic (tight) pelvic floor muscles and with associated symptoms like pelvic pain, pain with sex, and urge incontinence. So, let’s get your constipation in control!
The connection between your bowels and your pelvic floor
If you think about what is housed inside of the pelvic bowl, three important systems have to co-exist and share a limited amount of space:
- Urinary System: the bladder and urethra
- Reproductive Organs: Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vaginal canal
- GI System: sigmoid colon, rectum
Read more: Manage Constipation Naturally for Better Pelvic Floor...
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 7892 Views
Worried About Exercise and Urinary Incontinence?
Don’t let your New Year's workout make you leaky!
With new year’s resolutions, a lot of us will be starting new workout routines to shape up. While exercise is a cornerstone of physical health, a little talked about side effect of increased athletic training, particularly for those with female anatomy, is urinary incontinence. A comprehensive literature review published March 2018 in International Urogynecology Journal found that female athletes have an increased the risk for urinary incontinence.
- Details
- Written by: Staff
- 10609 Views
Learn How Obesity Increases Urinary Incontinence and How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help
Urinary Incontinence is common, why suffer?
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Urinary incontinence affects up to 1 in 3 women. The two most common types of urinary incontinence that affect women are stress incontinence and urge incontinence (also called overactive bladder, or OAB). Incontinence affects twice as many women as men. This may be because pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are contributing factors to urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence should not be considered a normal part of aging, and it can be treated.
A new article published in September, 2018 by Lamerton, Torquati, & Brown found that being overweight (BMI 25-30) increased risk of urinary incontinence for young and middle aged by 35% and obesity (BMI ≥30) almost doubles the risk at 95%.
