““Lake Washington Physical Therapy is excited to now offer Women’s Health services. This is a service that our clients have been asking for over the past few years and we finally assembled the team of clinicians to deliver this care””
What is Women’s Health Physical therapy?
Pregnancy and delivery places an enormous strain on a woman’s body. There are compelling studies showing trained physical therapists can significantly reduce pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain and improve function. Difficult deliveries can cause pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, or even incontinence. Physical therapy has the ability improve the stability of the pelvis, hips, and lower back to eliminate pain and incontinence, many times preventing the need for surgery, medication, and ongoing frustration.
Women from all walks of life can experience pelvic floor dysfunction and symptoms. We see a number of women post-childbirth, women who are post-menopausal, and every stage in between. Some patients come to us following a car accident, surgery, or sports injury. Studies show that young women involved in high impact sports such as gymnastics are at high risk for experiencing urinary incontinence during their sport. Even in the CrossFit world and with HIIT studios, urinary incontinence is a well-known problem during high intensity workouts. Other women may experience incontinence as a result of childbirth, hormonal changes, or surgery. Pelvic pain is a common and under-diagnosed problem in women of all ages. A women’s health therapist is trained to identify the contributing musculoskeletal factors in order to address the underlying causes to their issues and create solutions.
Women’s Health Clinicians
April Johnson
PT, DPT
West Seattle
““Pelvic floor dysfunction, including pain and incontinence, can affect women of all ages and distances from their pregnancy.””
Maybe this doesn’t seem to apply to you because you don’t have kids or haven’t been injured or haven’t gone through menopause. Even women who haven’t experienced these changes can have pelvic floor dysfunction. Fortunately pelvic floor physical therapy can provide relief.
Women’s health therapists may use a variety of research based treatment options including manual therapy, exercise prescription, biofeedback, and neuromuscular reeducation to restore normal joint mobility, improve muscular balance and control and teach improved movement patterns. Overall, women’s health physical therapists empower women to understand how their bodies work and take charge of their wellness.
What Does Women’s Health Physical Therapy Address?
Urinary incontinence
Bowel incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pelvic pain
Issues during pregnancy and post-partum
Low back and/or SI joint pain
Difficulty tolerating a pelvic examination
Low back pain during pregnancy
Weakened core strength or discomfort following delivery
Discomfort during or following sexual intimacy
Loss of bowel/bladder control when coughing, laughing or sneezing
Trouble with Plyometrics/Jumping in CrossFit, HIIT classes, and Peloton type workouts
Chronic constipation
Women’s Health & Related Blogs
Delivered Visits
What is it & Is it Appropriate for ME?
Having physical therapy delivered to your home or office is both convenient as well as safe. It is a similar service that we offer in clinic but with all the comforts of home.