Conditions Physical Therapy May Improve
May 10, 2009 by admin
Filed under Myofascial Release, Physical Therapy, Women's Health
PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE (POP) — The organs of the pelvis literally descend. People complain of symptoms of heaviness, the feeling of falling out, pressure in pelvis, and back pain. They may have associated urinary incontinence.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? By increasing strength, endurance and support of the pelvic floor through Pelvic Floor Muscle training, as well as, behavior modification, proper bracing and body mechanics, and reduction of exacerbating activities.
LEVATOR ANI SYNDROME — A muscle spasm of the pelvic floor, usually caused by trauma.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? Through releasing tension in the muscles, joint mobilization and patient education.
URINARY INCONTINENCE — The involuntary leakage of urine.
STRESS INCONTINENCE — The involuntary leakage of urine during exertion – i.e. cough or sneeze, this is due to pelvic floor muscle weakness.
URGE INCONTINENCE (OVERACTIVE BLADDER) — The involuntary leakage of urine accompanied with urgency, caused by uninhibited bladder contractions.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? A Women’s Health PT can help the client regain control of their bladder, so that leakage, urgency and frequency do not occur or are lessened. This is done through bladder training, keeping a voiding record (bladder dairy), teaching behavior modification, muscle strengthening, if needed and following a voiding schedule.
DYSPAREUNIA — Painful penetration due to muscle spasms or organ pain.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? With manual therapies designed to reduce muscle tension, with vaginal dilators, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat, biofeedback, as well as, exercise and muscle balancing around the pelvis and trunk.
AINFUL BLADDER SYNDROME — Interstitial Cystitis.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? Though the use of biofeedback, electrical stimulation and musculoskeletal correction.
TMJ — Pain at the temporo mandibular joint, where the jaw bone meets the skull – generally associated with clicking, pain, grinding and headaches. On occasion, the jaw may become stuck open or closed.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? With tender point releases, postural corrections of skeletal system, including head and neck, as well as, craniosacral work.
VULVODYNIA — Pain at entrance to the vagina – associated with localized burning, itching, stinging and rawness.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? Though the use of biofeedback, strength and endurance training and the relaxation of muscles.
FIBROMYALGIA — Chronic pain in muscle and soft tissue surrounding joints, fatigue and tenderness at specific sites in the body.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? Through the use of Myofascial release, tender point releases and strengthening.
I am always so happy to see continuing education for women in regards to prolapse issues. There are so many problems that women face with the different types of prolapse and it is such a hush-hush scenario most of the time.
A book I have recently written about pelvic organ prolapse also addresses the many faceted issues of prolapse; I feel so strongly that all women should be aware of this condition so when they start to have symptoms, whether with bladder leakage or any of the many other symptoms like fecal incontinence, pain, or sexual dysfunction, they are aware of what may be occurring and seek help before the condition progresses to a stage needing radical treatment. The title of my book is
“Pelvic Organ Prolapse, The Silent Epidemic”
and information is available at the website below. I’d be very happy to share my views on this topic with anyone interested.
Sherrie Palm
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/PelvicOrganProlapse.html.