Women’s Health Physical Therapy

Pelvic Health

Serving Portland OR | Vancouver WA

Physical therapy is a very effective treatment for many women’s health issues. Treatment will accelerate recovery and in many cases can begin right away. You will learn about your body and how to manage and alleviate symptoms.

We treat a wide array of women’s health issues including:

• Prolapse
• Post-partum
• Post-abdominal surgery
• Stress Incontinence
• Diastasis Recti
• Pelvic Pain
• Pelvic Health
• Mastectomy reconstruction
• Pregnancy
• Post-Menopause
• Augmentation Reduction
• Breast Surgeries
• Abdominal Weakness

Why Pelvic Floor Health is Important

Rehabilitation of the pelvic and abdominal muscles is something that all women benefit from, especially during and after pregnancy and after abdominal surgery.

• Specific exercise training will improve strength and control and decrease or eliminate pain
• Pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, and muscular discomfort associated with endometriosis can be greatly improved or resolved
• Conditions such as diastasis, pelvic organ prolapse, leaking and incontinence can be resolved or greatly improved without surgery

Breast Surgery Recovery

Scarring from breast surgery or irradiation can be painful, tight, and limiting.

Physical therapy can:

• Decrease pain and tightness after breast surgery and irradiation
• Decrease pain and improve mobility between fills allowing fills to progress more rapidly
• Help with return to full functional use of the shoulders and normal activities
• Improve the appearance and mobility of scarring so that scars are smooth under clothing and prosthetic breasts lay more comfortably on the chest wall

If you are normally active but are unsure or nervous about returning to activity, physical therapy can help you to return safely to exercise after pregnancy, breast surgery, or abdominal surgery

Improving Pelvic Health

Treatment begins with an evaluation; in some cases, this might involve an optional pelvic exam. Your treatment program is based on the findings of this evaluation.

You will be instructed in an exercise program tailored to your specific needs. Your home program will consist of very specific strengthening exercises taught using hands-on cueing and sometimes biofeedback. Home programs also include important training in breathing, posture, stretching, range of motion, and biomechanics (how you move).

Treatment will also often include manual techniques such as:

• Joint mobilizations
• Muscle energy techniques
• Soft tissue massage
• Myofascial release
• Trigger point techniques
• Scar release techniques
• Optional internal work

How Long Does Physical Therapy Take?

It depends. Usually, you will be in treatment for at least 6-8 weeks. If exercise is performed consistently, this is the amount of time it takes for there to be a noticeable change in the strength of normal tissue. With very weak/deconditioned tissue, it can take longer. Scar restrictions can take longer to improve, especially if they have been there for a while.

How Often Do I Come In for Physical Therapy?

Treatment is usually 1x/week.