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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:
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...
Running Mechanics and Pelvic Floor Health: The Impact of Footwear
Did You Know That Proper Footwear Can Improve Your Running Mechanics and Pelvic Floor Health?
How Do My Feet Impact My Pelvic Floor When I Run?
If you are a runner, you tend to look for ways to improve your running. If you’re thinking about starting up or returning to running, it can feel intimidating particularly if you have any symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction. This only complicates an exercise that, on the surface, seems fairly straight forward. There are some studies that have looked at how your feet can play a part in your pelvic floor muscle function while you run. And if you are looking to return to running postpartum, read on and also check out this article by one of our pelvic floor physical therapists.
Read more: Running Mechanics and Pelvic Floor Health: The Impact of...
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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- Written by: Staff
- 6553 Views
Learn About Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy as Treatment for Levator Ani Avulsion
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles positioned like a hammock along our saddle region. The group of muscles attach from our pubic bone on the inside and then to our lateral walls with a bundle of collagen fibers called the levator arch, and attach to the ischial spines and tailbone on the back side.
During vaginal childbirth, the pubococcygeus muscle, a group of pelvic floor muscles, stretches 3.26 times more than its normal length to make room for the coming baby in the vaginal canal! As you can imagine, this can result in some perineal tearing and/or levator ani avulsion. Levator ani avulsion occurs when muscle fibers of the puborectalis (the most innermost muscle of the pubococcygeus group) are detached from its insertion on the pubic bone. About 20% of women experience an avulsion during their first vaginal childbirth. Risk factors include instrumental-assisted delivery (forceps higher risk than vacuum), older age at vaginal birth, second stage lasting longer than 2 hours, baby weighing over 8 pounds and 13 ounces, and those who underwent a grade 4 perineal tear.
Read more: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Treatment for Levator Ani...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4001 Views
Period Action Day: Helping Provide Menstrual Products to Those in Need
Millions of women across the United States are suffering the consequesces of not being able to afford period products. We believe that menstrual hygeine is a matter of human rights, not a prividlege.
Read more: Period Action Day - October 8, 2022 - Get Involved Now!
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 5697 Views
What is Endometriosis and Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a benign condition where endometrial tissue (the lining of the inside of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus.
About 5-10% of reproductive aged persons with female-associated genitalia have endometriosis. Symptoms can range from no symptoms to debilitating pelvic pain with dysmenorrhea, pain with periods, abdominal pain, genital pain, bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction and other chronic overlapping pain conditions. In addition, endometriosis is known to also affect sexual quality of life. Pain with sex is called dyspareunia; while deep infiltrating endometriosis is a more severe form of endometriosis.
Read more: The Link Between Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and...
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- Written by: Staff
- 5220 Views
Are You Thinking of Working with a Doula?
Here are some of the benefits
Being a pelvic floor physical therapist, I work with pregnant and postpartum women almost daily. Not having birthed any children yet and currently pregnant, I was curious about the doula process both professionally and personally. So, I attended a wonderful birth doula training program and learned a ton about what working with a doula is all about.
Read more: Blog: Working with a Doula | The Benefits of a Birthing...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4734 Views
Are There Non-Surgical Treatments for Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
That constant heavy feeling in your pelvic area. That embarrassing urine leakage. That bulge ‘down there’.
It took a while, but you found the courage to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. (Good for you!) Now you know your condition has a name – pelvic organ prolapse – and a treatment. But is surgery really the best option?
Research estimates that 50% of all women who give birth will develop pelvic organ prolapse at some point in life; but while pregnancy and childbirth top the list of risk factors, the condition usually develops over time from a combination of factors that can also include anything from frequent strenuous gym workouts to smoking to menopause (and even genetics).
Read more: POP-tions: Two Non-Surgical Treatments For Pelvic Organ...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 5758 Views
The medical community has a new acronym for painful sex - GPPD
New data on self-compassion and emotion regulation that many women who suffer from it may never have considered.
First, let’s take a look at that new name - genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPD). That’s a medical mouthful, I know; but it’s actually a helpful attempt to simplify diagnosis by combining two similar disorders under one treatment heading. Dyspareunia is pain with sexual activity; vaginismus is the involuntary contraction of muscles in the pelvic floor that often cause that pain. GPPD recognizes them as essentially the same problem – recurrent or persistent pain in the genital area associated with intercourse. And it’s a common one; the study I’m reviewing in this article says,
Sexual pain is among the most common complaints in women who seek for help in clinical settings.”
Read more: Painful Sex aka GPPD – A Little (Self) Compassion Can Go A...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 4521 Views
What are Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence?
What is the biggest risk factor for both conditions? And how can you tell if you have them?
Not sure? You’re not alone. In fact, one research study found women actually know more about erectile dysfunction than they do about pelvic organ prolapse! While pharmaceutical company advertising bias may be to blame for part of that equation, one of the largest surveys of pregnant women and new moms ever conducted on the subject (by a team of medical experts in New England) reveals women’s healthcare providers consistently miss their biggest window of opportunity to educate patients about these conditions and offer treatment strategies that work.
Read more: POP Quiz About Two Common Postpartum Conditions - Pelvic...
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- Written by: Staff
- 6878 Views
Did You Know That There Are Non-Surgical Treatments for Provoked Vulvodynia (PVD)?
Provoked Vulvodynia affects approximately 10% of women
PVD is known as a chronic overlapping pain condition with endometriosis... While there are pharmacologic and surgical options, there are also other more conservative non-surgical treatments for provoked vulvodynia.
Provoked vulvodynia (PVD) is a chronic pain condition characterized by pain in the vulva when provoked by touch such as a tampon, speculum, clothing and/or sexual penetration. This condition affects approximately 10% in young women and can be truly debilitating. The etiology of PVD is complex and includes a combination of biologic and psychological factors. Other factors that may contribute to PVD are neural proliferation (an increase in nerve endings in the area), pelvic floor dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, recurrent infections, inflammation, high urinary oxalate levels and other psychological factors.
