Therapeutic Yoga for Pelvic Pain, Prolapse, Diastasis Recti, Pregnancy and Beyond

Experience our Pelvic Health Yoga Series

3 session package $695 (save $25 when you purchase all 3 sessions at your 1st visit)

• First visit 90 minute evaluation and initiate home program based on therapeutic yoga techniques
• Two one-hour follow-ups, incorporating visceral manipulation techniques when appropriate
• All visits are one-on-one with a Licensed Physical Therapist and Registered Yoga Therapist, and are available in our Montrose and Sherman Oaks locations.

Yoga Therapy at Femina Physical Therapy

We are starting an exciting new yoga therapy program at Femina Physical Therapy. In the clinic, yoga poses can be used to specifically address tightness and weakness in the body. At home, yoga poses can serve as a great way to self-treat during pain flare-ups.

Make an appointment with a therapist at Femina Physical Therapy to receive one-on-one yoga training, including a customized yoga flow for you and your body.

Yoga therapy at Femina PT will include:

• A comprehensive intake evaluation
• One-on-one yoga instruction and hands-on adjustments based on your body
• A yoga program customized for you to practice at home to increase strength and flexibility where your body needs it

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a movement practice that incorporates movement for strength and flexibility with breath work and mindfulness for reduction of stress and tension. Yoga is used therapeutically for a variety of immunological, neuromuscular, psychological, and pain conditions and has been tied to improvements in physiology (reduction of stress hormones, improved cardiac function), body awareness, improved cognition, as well as improved strength and flexibility, as reported by Schmalzl et al (2015).

Increase Quality of Life During Pregnancy and After

Yoga increases comfort during pregnancy and makes for shorter and less painful labor. Recent studies indicate that yoga may be effective in improving pregnancy, labour, and birth outcomes for both mommy and baby.

A systematic review by Curtis et al (2012) suggests that yoga during pregnancy can lead to better outcomes for pregnancy, labor, and birth. Studies suggest that a regular yoga practice of at least 3 times a week (during the 2-3 trimesters) increased quality of life for yogis during pregnancy, including reduced stress levels, increased aspects of intimacy and interpersonal relations, and decreased pain. Participants also reported improved physical condition and psychological functioning. There have also been indications that a regular yoga practice during pregnancy may make labor less painful and shorter.

Yoga and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Yoga can help both strengthen and increase flexibility of the pelvic floor muscles to better function and treat issues such as incontinence, painful sex, and pelvic organ prolapse. A study by Huang et al (2014) found that yoga helped reduce incidence of urinary incontinence in a group of women.

Yoga and Chronic Pain

Research has shown to be a viable tool in chronic pain management. Yoga practice has been tied to a decrease in pain in practitioners. Gupta et al. suggest that yoga therapy is part of an ideal model of care for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder sydrome.

* If additional visits are requested, our regular rates will apply.

Resources:

Curtis, K., Weinrib, A., & Katz, J. (2012). Systematic Review of Yoga for Pregnant Women: Current Status and Future Directions. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2012, 715942. http://doi.org/10.1155/2012/715942

Gupta, P., Gaines, N., Sirls, L. T., & Peters, K. M. (2015). A multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: an ideal model of care. Translational Andrology and Urology, 4(6), 611–619. http://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2015.10.10

Huang, A. J., Jenny, H. E., Chesney, M. A., Schembri, M., & Subak, L. L. (2014). A Group-Based Yoga Therapy Intervention for Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, 20(3), 147–154. http://doi.org/10.1097/SPV.0000000000000072

Schmalzl, L., Powers, C., & Henje Blom, E. (2015). Neurophysiological and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the effects of yoga-based practices: towards a comprehensive theoretical framework. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 235. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00235