Women’s health physio Salisbury therapy is specific and specialised physiotherapy that addresses female-oriented concerns across the lifespan. These can include problems with the bladder, bowel and pelvic floor muscles, causing dysfunction or pain.
A general musculoskeletal physiotherapist can assist with some of these issues. Still, the best practitioner will be experienced in women’s health and understand the complex female anatomy well.
Postnatal
Women need support in the immediate aftermath of childbirth. They should be encouraged to seek help when they experience postnatal depression or other mental health problems such as anxiety or psychosis. They also need care to help them cope with the physical effects of childbirth and recover from birth. These effects include soreness, swelling, swollen legs and feet and a leaking vagina. Women need to be educated about breastfeeding, contraception and family planning. They should also be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate.
Every woman’s clinical needs can change during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal. However, one thing that remains the same is her right to a positive experience at every stage of maternity care. Achieving this requires that health systems take a person-centred approach to care, supporting people’s choices and rights through pregnancy and childbirth. WHO’s new postnatal guidelines will be published next year and will complete a series of publications focusing on empowering individuals with their rights and choices and prioritising person-centred care and well-being.
Women must visit their physiotherapist six weeks after giving birth to assess any potential injury accurately. Waiting for this time allows hormone levels to stabilise, improving the physiotherapist’s assessment accuracy. It also provides the mother time to bond with her newborn and focus on caring for her baby.
The natural postpartum period can last from a few weeks to a couple of years, depending on whether the woman breastfeeds. During this time, the maternal protective instinct is at its strongest. It is essential to ensure that the mother is supported physically and emotionally as she goes through this intense adjustment period, mainly if there has been difficult or prolonged labour. For more information about the women’s health physio Salisbury, click here.
Physiotherapy during the peripartum period can help reduce pain and discomfort, as well as helping to prevent complications from developing. For example, it can help with the common issue of urinary leakage following childbirth and reduce the risk of complications from a Caesarean section. The physiotherapist can help with posture and alignment and provide exercises that will improve the strength of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor muscles are a complex network of muscle, ligaments and connective tissue that form the ‘floor’ of the pelvis. They are responsible for controlling urination, defecation and sexual function and supporting the hips, pelvic viscera and lower back. The muscles are activated by a “lift and squeeze” action and can be performed while sitting, lying down or standing. Physiotherapists teach patients how to start and strengthen these muscles.
The muscles can be strengthened in various ways, including pelvic floor exercises or the Kegel exercise. This involves contracting and squeezing the powers of the pelvic floor as if trying to stop a flow of urine or pass wind. The muscle must be held for 5 to 10 seconds while breathing normally, then relaxed. The goal is to do this a few times daily, building up to several sessions each day as your strength and flexibility increase.
It is essential to keep the pelvic floor muscles strong throughout life, not just during pregnancy. The pelvic muscles support the abdomen and pelvic viscera, prevent a hernia from developing and help to control bladder, bowel and sexual function. Weakened pelvic muscles can lead to various symptoms, from pain and discomfort during sex to reduced vaginal sensation. In addition, they may contribute to a weakened pelvic floor which increases the risk of developing a pelvic organ prolapse, where internal organs like the bladder or uterus fall through the vagina.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is joint in women, affecting around one in three women. Several factors, including childbirth, ageing and injuries, can cause it. In addition, it can be caused by various medical conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
In most cases, pelvic floor problems can be managed with physiotherapy. This is usually a combination of a physical therapy programme and lifestyle changes. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be required. A specialist in women’s health typically performs this, as the techniques and equipment needed differ from those used for standard physiotherapy.
Menopause
The menopause is a natural part of aging for women. It happens when your ovaries stop producing hormones, and your periods end for good. This usually happens between ages 45 and 55. Still, it can happen earlier naturally or as the result of surgery to remove your ovaries (oophorectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason can cause it. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is important to use birth control until your periods have stopped for 12 months. For more information about the women’s health physio Salisbury, click here.
