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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!
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...
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...
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- Written by: Staff
- 9719 Views
What is IC or Interstitial cystitis?
IC is also known as bladder pain syndrome or painful bladder syndrome and is a debilitating condition that significantly affects the quality of life of patients living with it.
Many patients with IC have other overlapping pain conditions such as Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse). 88% of patients with IC had at least one symptoms of sexual dysfunction (lack of sexual interest, can’t relax and enjoy sex, difficulty becoming sexually aroused and difficulty reaching orgasm)1. Women with IC rated their sexual dysfunction as moderate to severe when compared to controls and reported increased pain with intercourse, decreased desire and decreased frequency of orgasm5,6.
Read more: What is IC and What Are The Symptoms? | Interstitial...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 18079 Views
Postoperative Care for Endometriosis Laparoscopic Procedures
Recovering from an endometriosis laparoscopic procedure requires proper care for a full and timely recovery. During this time there are some important steps to follow in order for everything to go smoothly. Here is a guide that will help ensure that you return to full health as soon as possible.
The First 48 Hours After Endometriosis Laparoscopic Surgery:
- Arrange for a partner, family member, or friend to drive you home and stay with you after your procedure. General anesthesia can cause nausea and vomiting. Having a bag or bin ready for the car ride home is a good idea.
- It can also be helpful to have a small pillow or cushion to put between your abdomen and seat belt for the ride home.
- Each surgery has unique guidelines specific to your case and what was done during surgery. Follow the guidance of your surgeon and pelvic health physical therapist. As this is a general guideline It is always a good idea to speak with your health care team prior to initiating any new exercise or protocol.
- Take it easy and rest for the first 24 hours.
- Finding a position of comfort: During the initial stage of recovery it is important to find a position that is comfortable to allow your body to rest and recover.
Read more: Endometriosis Laparoscopic Postoperative Care: Steps to...
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- Written by: Staff
- 9249 Views
Mental Health and Sexual Pain: Sexual Dysfunction is Not “In Your Head”.
We have seen that experiencing sexual pain CAN affect your mental health, and pre-existing mental health conditions can amplify sexual dysfunction.
This article will review the research related to these, but in reading, know that we believe your pain is real and should be addressed from all relevant contributing factors.
A very large range, about 7-46% of Americans may experience painful sex. For some, it may be a one-time painful experience, and for others, it may be every single time. This can have a huge effect on mental health and overall quality of life.
Read more: Mental Health and Sexual Pain: Having Sexual Pain Is Not...
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- Written by: Staff
- 8602 Views
You may have heard that chronic stress takes a toll on your body. But did you know how chronic stress affects your sex life?
What is chronic stress?
Chronic psychosocial stress is defined as either a major life event that takes place over a long period of time (ie. death of a family member) or small stressors that are constant and often accumulate (ie. traffic, financial worries, work deadlines).1,2 A study by Allen Kanner, Ph.D, published in the National Library of Medicine, found that these small stressors can have more of a negative effect on health than the more severe but less common stressors.1
How does chronic stress inhibit sexual arousal?
Read more: How Chronic Stress Affects Your Sex Life and How To...
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- Written by: Staff
- 6700 Views
Are You Thinking of Returning to Running Postpartum?
There is not a magic time frame as each person recovers differently and the most important thing is to listen to your body.
For healthy uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends women return to low-moderate intensity exercise at six weeks postpartum and eight weeks postpartum for cesarean.
After your OBGYN or midwife has cleared you to return to exercise, if you haven’t started with a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist yet, now is a good time.
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- Written by: Rita Carr
- 42 Views
Deep breathing/Pelvic Floor lengthening
Purpose: To lengthen pelvic floor and intercostal muscles (muscles of the ribcage)
How to:
- Take a deep breath in, expanding the ribcage (side to side and front to back).
- Also, imagine the pelvis expanding (side to side and front to back) with the inhale.
- You should notice a light belly rise as well.
- Exhale: The exhale component should be passive... just let go.
Read more: 4 Exercises You Need Now To Stretch Your Pelvic Floor for...
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- Written by: Staff
- 7225 Views
November is Bladder Health Awareness Month.
At Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy, we take pride in understanding and applying how your whole body affects your pelvic health. In this article, we explore the links between grip strength and urinary incontinence.
A study conducted at the Jeju National University measured grip strength in patients and found statistically significant differences in patients with incontinence, overactive bladder and nocturia4. They found these patients had a weaker grip strength (less than 18kg) using a hand dynamometer.
Read more: Grip Strength and Urinary Incontinence: The Unexpected...
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- Written by: Staff
- 8206 Views
Physical therapy can help women across their lifespan. This includes support with orthopedic considerations related to breastfeeding, as well as other breastfeeding care with clogged milked ducts and noninfectious mastitis.
Symptoms & Causes of Clogged Milk Ducts and Mastitis
Breastfeeding can be a joyous time for some, but unfortunately it can be painful for others. Clogged milk ducts can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. It often arises due to not being able to drain fully, causing a back-up of milk along the mammillary ducts. It can occur when feeding sessions are interrupted or skipped, as well as when mom is under stress. One may experience symptoms such as a painful lump in the breast tissue, pain during breastfeeding that subsides after, and/or decreased milk supply from the blockage. Sometimes if unresolved, it can lead to mastitis, or infection of the breast tissue. Monitor for symptoms such as fever, swelling of breast tissue, redness of breast tissue, and escalation of pain/breast tenderness. If you start to experience these aforementioned symptoms, give your doctor a call as soon as possible.
Read more: How Physical Therapy Can Help with Clogged Milk Ducts and...
