Women’s Health

Weakness or dysfunction of the pelvic floor musculature often contributes to urinary or fecal incontinence, urinary retention, and pelvic pain. A physical therapist who has been specially trained in women’s health is the ideal health care provider to evaluate the function of these muscles as well as general posture, strength, and flexibility of other surrounding musculature. Modification of individual lifestyle habits that are contributing to a patient’s current condition may be discussed. Both women and men can benefit from the expertise of a women’s health physical therapist.

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Benefits of physical therapy may include:

- Improved bladder and bowel function
- Decreased pain
- Decreased use of protective undergarments
- Reduction in use of medication

Improved surgical outcomes
Decreased need of surgical procedures
Delay of surgical procedures

What can I expect from Physical Therapy?

At your first visit, the physical therapist will perform a musculoskeletal evaluation which will include the lumbar spine, hips, and pelvis. An individualized exercise program will be designed to meet your specific needs and behavioral modifications may be suggested.

Your treatment may include:

An individualized exercise program
Strengthening and flexibility exercises
Soft tissue mobilization
Joint mobilization
Suggestions for behavioral modifications
Education on contributing factors
Postural assessment
Dietary recommendations
Modalities to decrease pain
Modalities to re-educate weak muscles, biofeedback
Vaginal weights
Bladder training

Diagnoses treated include but are not limited to:

Endometriosis
Incontinence: urinary / fecal
Pelvic pain: interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, vestibulitis
Neurological conditions: pudendal neuralgia, multiple sclerosis
Musculoskeletal conditions related to pregnancy including diastasis recti, sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Constipation
Pediatric pelvic floor issues with bowel/bladder incontinence or retention, neurogenic bladder, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia
Men’s health concerns: Bowel/bladder incontinence, erectile dysfunction

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Women’s Health physical therapist?

A women’s health physical therapist has taken specialized training allowing him/her to evaluate and treat those conditions that are specific to a woman throughout her lifespan including incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and more. Women’s health therapists utilize this training to evaluate and develop a treatment program that is individualized for their clients.

What do I need to see a Women’s Health physical therapist?

You need a prescription or referral from your health care provider to see a physical therapist. A prescription/referral can come from your physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or chiropractor.

What should I expect from physical therapy?

At your initial appointment, the physical therapist will ask you questions about your condition including what are your symptoms, when do they occur, what makes them better or worse, and when did they begin. You will also be asked about your medical history. The therapist will use this information to perform an evaluation.

You will be given information regarding your diagnosis and the findings of your evaluation regarding posture, muscle tone, strength, and flexibility. You will be provided an individualized home exercise program which will include pelvic floor muscle training and possibly abdominal, hip, and low back strengthening and/or flexibility exercises. You may also be asked to complete a bladder diary prior to your next visit.

Please allow approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours for your first appointment. Follow-up visits will last between 30 minutes and one hour.

Request an appointment or call us today at Affton, North O’Fallon, St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, Saint Peters, O’Fallon, Saint Charles, Warrenton & Wentzville, MO centers.