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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:
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...
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: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 9816 Views
Let's Discuss Some Solutions for Chronic Constipation
"Chronic constipation can have detrimental effects to daily life..."
Constipation is an extremely common symptom that has been reported to affect 63 million people in North America.1 Chronic constipation can have detrimental effects to daily life and is known to increase psychological distress and impair health related quality of life. Most commonly, individuals who are struggling with constipation often intervene with laxative use and dietary changes to increase fiber intake. These interventions fail to improve symptoms in about 50% of patients whom they are prescribed.2 If you find that you continue to struggle with constipation, there are many lifestyle changes one can adopt that can have a profound effect on symptoms including decreased frequency, straining, and pain with bowel movements.
Read more: How to Have Your Best Poop Ever: Solutions for Chronic...
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- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 10449 Views
Choosing the Right Vulvovaginal Moisturizer
Assuming you need one, make sure it's got the right ingredient list
There are many reasons why those born with female anatomy may require the use of a vulvovaginal moisturizer throughout their lifetime. As you age, the vaginal and vulvar tissues tend to become drier and less elastic. This change is typically seen around the time one goes through menopause due to the drop in estrogen that occurs. The vulvovaginal tissues are very sensitive to hormonal changes and estrogen is the hormone that controls vaginal lubrication, as well as tissue elasticity and thickness.
Read more: Vulvovaginal Moisturizers: Who Needs One & Choosing the...
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- Written by: Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT
- 3592 Views
What Do Updated Endometriosis Guidelines Mean to You?
A variety of treatments are available for endometriosis and its symptoms. They include pharmacological treatments, surgical treatments, acupuncture, electrotherapy, nutritional changes, psychological therapies and of course, pelvic floor physical therapy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that Endometriosis affects 190 million (10%) of women of reproductive age worldwide. It occurs when uterine-like tissue (similar to, but not the same as) grows outside of the uterus. Currently there is no known cause or cure, however various treatments exist to manage symptoms. Currently, diagnosis of endometriosis can be delayed up to 8-10 years after initial symptoms onset. This happens for a variety of reasons, including limited access to health care or knowledgeable practitioners, poor awareness of or minimization of symptoms. In addition to the potentially debilitating symptoms of endometriosis, the socioeconomic cost of this disease is comparable to those of other chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
Read more: Updated Endometriosis Guidelines: Effective Treatments &...
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- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 5294 Views
What is babywearing?
Babywearing is the practice of transporting a baby or child in a sling or carrier that is worn on the body - a practice that has existed for generations, and has been observed across many different cultures.
What are the benefits of babywearing?
In the first few months of an infant's life, it is required of caregivers to perform many hours of carrying, a task that may be daunting if there are other children in their household that need caring for, or other responsibilities within the home that need tending to. Of course babywearing allows caregivers to be physically close to the baby while remaining hands free, but not only this, babywearing has also been shown to have emotional, physical and psychological benefits for both infant and mother. For the infant, maternal carrying of the offspring has been shown to trigger a calming response demonstrated by central, motor and cardiac signals in distressed infants.1 There is also research to support that can improve length and success of breastfeeding, improve infant temperature regulation, and sleep apnea.
Read more: Babywearing 101: Benefits, Challenges, and Solutions for...
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- Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS
- 3916 Views
Underreported Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain:
A common condition that most healthcare providers are missing and how physical therapy can help
Being pregnant comes with lots of changes to an expecting mother’s body. Hormonal and physical changes to the body, as well as vascular and neural factors can cause pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PLPP). About 63% of pregnant women in the U.S. experience it at some point during gestation. A recent survey study involving 538 pregnant women with pregnancy-related lumbar and pelvic pain (henceforth termed lumbopelvic pain) found that only 43% reported it, and of those, only 22% received any treatment!1 Physical therapy through the use of manual treatments, therapeutic exercises, muscle re-education, and functional activity training (lifting mechanics, proper sitting and standing posture) have been proven effective at reducing pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain and improving quality of life.2,3,4 Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain can interfere with quality of life, physical function, inability to perform daily activities, sleep disturbances, and can contribute to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.1,2
Read more: Underreported Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain (aka PLPP)
Sexual Health Awareness Month
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- Written by: Iris Xu
- 166 Views
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- Written by: Webmaster
- 4887 Views
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
- 4637 Views
What's the Link Between Urinary Incontinence and Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum Depression is a medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.
It typically arises due to a combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustment to motherhood, and fatigue. Postpartum depression is said to affect between 5-20% of mothers depending on variable socioeconomic factors. Many people associate urinary incontinence as a common postpartum symptom. Prevalence of postpartum urinary incontinence figures vary due to diverse study formats, however it is predicted that bladder leakage is experienced in a quarter to half of all postpartum women.
In recent years, studies have concluded there is a strong link between both postpartum depression and urinary incontinence postpartum.
Read more: Commonly Linked: Urinary Incontinence and Postpartum...
