Women’s Health Therapy
Our Assessment:
Having a baby can be a very stressful time. Your body is changing in many ways, including size, shape, weight, hormones, ligamentous laxity, and more. Many of these changes are important to prepare you, as the new mother, to deliver safely and comfortably. It is our job to make sure that both you and the unborn fetus are progressing as comfortably as possible. We usually divide the process into three trimesters and assess you, the mom, to make sure there are no limitations to movement, that your nerves and nervous system are working optimally, and that you have enough strength and flexibility to stay pain-free throughout the process.
As the third trimester approaches, we will assess your birth canal to make sure it is in an optimal position and has enough flexibility to prevent any tearing or injury to you, the delivering mother, but also to make the birth canal as open and free for your child to enter our world.
Our Treatment:
Though breathing, pelvic position, and pelvic floor therapy are important areas to address, your PhysioActive team will address your whole body. This includes the mom, especially if there has been tearing during the birthing process. (However, if you see our therapists throughout your pregnancy, this is less likely to occur.) We will use our “First Principles” approach to have you moving and feeling great through hands-on therapy, exercise, breathing, and pelvic floor techniques so that you can enjoy your pregnancy. Post-natal, we will make sure your uterus returns to its original position and shape and ensure that your newborn is reaching their milestones, developing optimally, and feeding and latching well.
Our Technology
Healing technologies such as light and laser therapy are pain-relieving and blood-flow-increasing modalities that are safe for you, the pregnant mother, as well as the fetus. Some electrotherapies are very safe and effective depending on your specific concerns. We also prescribe a treatment program for you online with pictures, videos, and instructions to make following your program easier and more manageable, even after things get crazy when your newborn joins your family.
Women’s Health
Women have unique health needs at different ages and stages of their lives. The motherhood stage of a woman’s life can benefit from both prenatal and postnatal care. Health issues like incontinence can occur. As such, women need effective healthcare solutions geared toward their unique challenges.
Women’s Pelvic Health
Pelvic Floor Issues
The pelvic floor is the collection of muscles, nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, and other organs in and around the pelvis. A strong, healthy pelvic floor is crucial for both bowel and bladder continence. However, surgery, aging, pregnancy, and other issues can lead to compromised functionality of the pelvic floor muscles. These issues may include, but are not limited to, a loss of complete control over the bowels and/or bladder, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse (the protrusion of the bladder and other organs into the vagina).
Pelvic Floor Muscle Functions
The pelvic floor muscles are shaped like a bowl at the bottom of our abdominal container and perform the following critical duties:
- Support our internal organs (bladder and rectum, uterus in women, prostate in men)
- Act as a STOP and GO light for bladder and bowel function
- Have a major impact on our sexual function
- Stabilize our spine as they work with deep core muscles
- Help our circulatory system get the blood and other body fluids from the legs back towards the heart
The PhysioActive Approach
At PhysioActive, we have pelvic floor physiotherapists who are dedicated to providing our female patients with outstanding professional care at every stage of their lives. Their expertise covers a broad spectrum of women’s health conditions ranging from incontinence to pre- and post-natal care. Only a specially trained physiotherapist, who has advanced education on pelvic floor physiotherapy and who is also registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, is permitted to perform pelvic floor physiotherapy.
Let us help you with individualized care tailored to your unique needs as a woman.
We can treat sensitive areas and issues related to:
- Pelvic Pain Conditions (as a result of pelvic dysfunction)
- Vestibulodynia
- Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
- Vulvodynia
- Urinary Incontinence
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Prenatal and Postpartum Pelvic Health
MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS
- Lower Back Pain
- Groin / Pubic Pain
- Sacroiliac Pain
- Piriformis Syndrome
RECTAL & BOWEL CONDITIONS:
- Constipation
- Incontinence (fecal)
Our Program Highlights:
- Extensive 1-hour Initial Assessment
- Detailed history intake of patient’s pelvic issues
- An examination may include both an internal and external examination
- Individualized treatment sessions, 30 – 45 minutes in duration
- Recommended 4 – 8 treatments typically 1x/week* (varies from patient to patient)
- Outcomes rely on treatment compliance and active patient participation
What Does the Typical Treatment Entail?
After a detailed questionnaire and physical examination of your pelvic area (external and internal if needed), your pelvic floor therapist will discuss the findings with you and plan a treatment program to best suit your needs. Your treatment will include education on managing your symptoms, along with a home exercise program designed for you to work on. Your therapist may also suggest the use of different techniques to complement your exercise program. These techniques may include:
- Manual (hands-on) techniques performed by the therapist on the surface of the muscles in the pelvis to help you locate and correctly engage your weak pelvic muscles.
- Electrical stimulation: Occasionally, a metallic probe may be used to stimulate your pelvic floor with a mild electric current to help you localize and strengthen these muscles.
- Biofeedback: The same probe can also be used to read the activity of your pelvic floor muscles and display it on a screen as you do your exercises. This will allow you to see how well you are performing. No electric current is felt during biofeedback.
If you have any questions about our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy program, contact us via confidential email at pelvichealth@physioactive.ca.
FAQ
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Who should consider pelvic floor physiotherapy during pregnancy? Everyone expecting a child can benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy. It’s especially recommended before birth to prevent tearing and optimize the size and flexibility of the birth canal. Preparing your body with targeted exercises can help ensure a smoother delivery and quicker recovery. -
How can pelvic floor physiotherapy help me during pregnancy? Pelvic floor physiotherapy can strengthen and prepare your muscles for childbirth, reducing the risk of tearing, incontinence, and other complications. It can also alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts, such as lower back pain, pelvic pain, and bladder control issues. -
Is pelvic floor physiotherapy beneficial after childbirth? Absolutely. Post-natal pelvic floor physiotherapy is vital for recovery. It helps restore muscle function, address any birth-related trauma, and prevent issues like incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Early intervention supports a faster and more complete recovery. -
What should I expect during a pre-natal pelvic floor physiotherapy session? Your physiotherapist will assess your pelvic floor strength and flexibility, and guide you through exercises tailored to your needs. These exercises are designed to prepare your body for childbirth, making the process safer and less painful. -
How soon after childbirth should I start pelvic floor physiotherapy? It’s generally recommended to start pelvic floor physiotherapy 6 weeks after delivery, but your therapist will guide you on the best timeline based on your individual recovery. Early intervention can prevent long-term issues and help you regain strength and function. -
How can osteopathy support me during pregnancy? Osteopathy can alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts such as back pain, sciatica, and pelvic pain. Through gentle manual techniques, osteopaths help improve circulation, relieve tension, and support your body’s natural changes, making pregnancy more comfortable. -
What are the benefits of osteopathy after childbirth? Post-natal osteopathy helps your body recover by addressing any imbalances or strains from childbirth. It can ease back pain, support pelvic realignment, and enhance overall recovery, allowing you to regain your strength and vitality.
Baby to Belly Workshop
Postnatal Care Services
