The facts on female-focused physiotherapy

COMMON ISSUE Many women’s health problems, including incontinence at any time in life, are directly related to weak or inactive pelvic floor muscles.

Cora Langan

Did you know that as many as one in three women will experience some kind of women’s health problem during their lifetime, but often they are too embarrassed to seek help?
Embarrassing problems, such a slight incontinence (manifested as leaking while coughing, sneezing, laughing or during exercise), are much more commonplace than previously thought. If the problem has been present since childbirth, a woman might even think it’s normal.
Many women’s health problems are directly related to weak or inactive pelvic floor muscles. These muscles, as their name implies, create support to hold the internal pelvic organs, the bladder, uterus and other organs.
Many women who suffer from stress and urge incontinence try to develop their own coping strategies, such as cutting out ‘high risk’ activities like exercise; going to the toilet more frequently than necessary; drinking less in the misguided belief it will stop them leaking; or relying on pads as an expensive solution to the problem.

Women’s Health Physiotherapy
Women’s Health physiotherapy is a non-surgical treatment for a number of these women’s health problems. Sometimes, all it takes is some specialist treatment and advice to get women back on track.
Women’s health physiotherapy practice is holistic. It is not just about teaching pelvic floor muscle exercises, although this is obviously an important element. Treatment is tailored to help reduce any pain or embarrassment clients may be experiencing, whilst at the same time restoring and/or improving function (be it bladder, bowels or mobility). 
Clients are often surprised to learn that women’s health physiotherapy involves a broad range of treatment and advice; for example on bladder and bowel habits, diet, fluid intake, exercise and lifestyle. There is plenty of information and advice available, as well as the opportunity to ask questions so that clients can decide on the best treatment options.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy can help women  exercise with confidence; remain dry on coughing or sneezing; and hold on instead of having to rush to the toilet. For women suffering from prolapse problems, physiotherapy can help manage symptoms and reduce feelings of discomfort, enhancing the quality of their lives.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy treatment is also available for gynecological and breast-surgery recovery. Pregnancy-related issues such as sacroiliac, pelvic and hip pain, as well as rib and neck pain, can also be treated. Great emphasis is given to the health of the pelvic floor muscles which are so important in pregnancy, childbirth and overal quality of life.

Cora Langan is a physiotherapist at Westport Physiotherapy and Acupuncture Clinic, Mill Street, Westport. She can be contacted at 098 25310, www.westphysio.ie.