Symptoms & Issues
Below are common issues that may affect a woman’s health at some juncture in their life. Many women are uncomfortable or embarrassed to discuss these issues with their family doctor or specialist. Perhaps you or someone you know may have discussed these issues and dismissed them as something that just naturally happens and must be tolerated.
Physical therapy can help to reduce or resolve these issues. An evaluation will determine your problem areas and then an individualized treatment program will be designed to improve your function, decrease pain and enable you to manage your symptoms more effectively.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Issues
- Pain in the low back, pelvic region, buttocks or thighs; including sciatica.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain, weakness and/or paresthesia in the hand).
- Incontinence during pregnancy or postpartum.
- Postpartum musculoskeletal issues; including pelvic floor weakness and abdominal separation.
- Episiotomy and Cesarean incisional scar sensitivity and adhesions.
- Musculoskeletal complaints related to breastfeeding and care of infant and young children.
Urinary or Bowel Issues
- Urinary leakage (drops to volumes) with sneezing, coughing, laughing, exercising or lifting.
- Needing to use the bathroom with great frequency due to incomplete emptying or urgency, i.e. multiple times within one to two hours.
- Unable to wait at least two hours before urinating.
- Unable to prevent leakage when the urge is present.
- Unable to sleep through the night because of the need to urinate two or more times.
- Leakage during the day or while sleeping that you are unaware is occurring.
- Loss of bowel control or staining following a bowel movement.
- Chronic constipation with the need to strain and a sense of incomplete emptying.
- The need to use enemas, suppositories and/or laxatives to facilitate a bowel movement.
- Rectal fullness and/or pain.
- Pain before, during or after bowel movements.
Pelvic Pain Issues
- Pelvic or vaginal heaviness and/ or pressure that may be painful.
- Pain in the low back, hips, buttocks or lower abdominal region.
- Pain, pressure or discomfort in the region of the sacrum, coccyx and rectum associated with pain in the gluteal region and thighs.
Vulvar / Vaginal Issues
- Pain and/or sensitivity in the area around the vaginal opening.
- Throbbing or deep, steady ache in the vulvar area.
- Itching and/or burning in the vulvar area.
- Tightening (spasm) of the muscles inside the entrance of the vagina, making penetration of a tampon, examination at a gynecological visit or intercourse difficult or impossible.
- Pain when inserting or removing a tampon; during a gynecological examination or intercourse.
- Irritation in the vulvar area after intercourse lasting several hours or up to a day or two
