WOMEN'S HEALTH PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
As a women’s health and pelvic floor physical therapist, Dana treats a variety of conditions relating to pelvic pain and dysfunction, incontinence, as well as prenatal and postnatal rehabilitation. Many of the issues are not openly talked about and many people don’t know with whom to discuss their concerns or that treatments and therapies exist for these conditions, so they suffer through without help.
The below list is not exhaustive but will give you a good idea of conditions that Dana can help with:
Pelvic Pain:
Vulvodynia (vulvar pain), Vaginismus (vaginal pain), Pudendal Neuralgia, Endometriosis pain, Fibroid and cyst pain, Period pain, Insertional pain/dysfunction (inability to use tampons/menstrual cups, have a pelvic exam, intercourse, or any manual insertion), Coccydynia (tailbone pain), Painful Bladder Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis), Dyspareunia (painful sex from any cause).
Sexual Dysfunction:
Dyspareunia (painful sex), Loss of libido or difficulties with orgasm (post-natal, menopause, ageing), Coital incontinence (loss of urine with intercourse or orgasm), Vaginal flatus.
Bladder and Bowel Problems:
Urinary Incontinence (leaking), Overactive bladder (urgency or incontinence, high frequency, nocturia), Post Micturition Dribble, (dribbling after voiding), Voiding dysfunction (unable to empty bladder), Urinary Retention, Chronic Urinary Tract Infections, IBS, Constipation, Rectal Prolapse, Anal Fissures, Faecal Urgency & Incontinence.
Pregnancy and Postpartum:
Preventative pelvic floor education; Pelvic floor assessment to determine strength, if prolapse present, c-section treatment and education, suture scars and episiotomy management; Prenatal perineal massage/stretching; Pregnancy related back, pelvic, and hip pain; Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA) management; Exercise programming and education.
Menopausal Issues:
Incontinence, Prolapse, Pelvic muscular wasting, Hysterectomy pain and dysfunction management, Dyspareunia, Symptoms related to hormone therapy.
Prolapse Management:
Cystocoele (anterior wall prolapse), Uterine prolapse, Rectocele (posterior wall prolapse), Pre/Post Surgery Advice.
Pre and Post-Surgical:
Hysterectomy, Prolapse and sling repairs, Endometriosis, Fibroids, DRA and Abdominal Surgeries, Cancer Treatments, Haemorrhoids, Vaginal Varicose Veins, Cesarean Sections, Hernias.
Musculoskeletal Dysfunctions:
Chronic/recurrent back, pelvic (sacroiliac and pubic symphysis joints), hip, tailbone pain that has not improved with standard physiotherapy treatment; Chronically rotated positions/stance; Functional leg length discrepancy; Poor core strength despite regular abdominal and back strengthening.
What to Expect:
Dana is trained as a pelvic floor physiotherapist who, using a combination of assessing the whole musculoskeletal system and pelvic floor, will develop a treatment plan with you that may consist of exercise and strength training, manual therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, along with lifestyle and activity modifications. Dana works within a biopsychosocial and trauma informed lens, therefore a detailed intake is very important to determine any factors that may be relating to your condition prior to a physical assessment. Once the intake and history taking are complete Dana will perform a movement, posture, and strength based assessment. To assess the pelvic floor it is ideal to assess it internally with a vaginal and possibly a rectal exam. These exams involve the insertion of one gloved, lubricated finger. Dana will continuously ask your permission to continue with the exam and your consent can be withdrawn at anytime. If you are not comfortable having an external or internal vaginal exam performed Dana can determine other ways to best assess your condition.
For women's health pelvic floor appointments with Dana at Back in Action Physiotherapy you can book online here or contact the clinic directly at 604-962-0555 and ask to book a women's health appointment.