What is Women’s Health Physical Therapy?

Pelvic Pain

Dysfunctions within the muscles of the pelvic region can result in pain, constipation, urinary incontinence and difficulty with intercourse. Women may experience pelvic pain as a result of various disorders including endometriosis, polycystic  ovarian syndrome, labor and delivery, and from post-surgical scarring such as C-Section or hysterectomy.

Common pelvic pain disorders include:

• Vaginismus
• Proctalgia Fugax
• Levator Ani Syndrome
• Vulvodynia
• Dysparenia
• Gynecological/oncology issues
• Post-surgical issues

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine and can occur in both men and women, however it primarily affects women.  It can occur due to trauma, surgery, or pelvic floor weakness. There are three forms of urinary incontinence:

• Stress: leakage during normal activities such as
  coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising.
• Urge: leakage that occurs when the patient has a
  strong urge to urinate even though the bladder is not full.
• Mixed: a combination of both stress and urge
  incontinence. 

In order to treat pelvic pain and urinary incontinence, your women’s health trained physical therapist will use the following techniques and procedures:

• Manual therapy techniques for muscle relaxation and
  release of trigger points
• Biofeedback for relaxation and/or strength training of
  pelvic floor muscles
• Therapeutic exercise to address weak pelvic floor muscles
  (ie. Kegels)

Obstetrics

Pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood result in important musculoskeletal changes and new stressors to a woman’s body. During pregnancy, women often experience swelling and joint pain due to hormonal changes occurring within the body. Many new mothers suffer from urinary incontinence caused by the stresses forced upon the pelvic floor during labor and delivery. Musculoskeletal issues can become a greater problem from the stressors involved with the care of a new child.

Your women’s health physical therapist will help with the following ailments both during and after your pregnancy:

For those with a relatively problem free or pain free pregnancy, your physical therapist can also assist with your pregnancy in the following ways:

• Prenatal and postnatal exercise prescription
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Education regarding positioning and body mechanics

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Following treatment and surgical intervention for breast cancer, many women experience lymphedema, a chronic swelling condition caused by the removal of lymph nodes and disruption of lymphatic system, and/or musculoskeletal conditions that occur following surgery.

Your physical therapist will teach you ways to prevent and manage your lymphedema as well as help you regain your range of motion and strength following surgery.

If you and your physicians agree that you would benefit from an evaluation by a women’s health physical therapist, please call 408-395-8851 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!

MEET KRISTIN L. CHRISTENSEN, DPT

Kristin received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Duke University Medical Center in 2011. In addition to extensive  experience with orthopedic and neurological diagnoses, she has a strong interest and additional training in Women’s Health – the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, including incontinence, pain, and post-partum complications; and breast and  prostate cancer rehabilitation. Kristin selects from a variety of interventions (e.g., manual therapy, biofeedback, and  therapeutic exercises) to create the most efficient treatment plan. With all of her patients, Kristin attempts to not only  address symptoms, but also to understand the cause of the dysfunction, the environmental factors and activities that brought  the patient in to see her. She believes strongly in interdisciplinarity and communicates with her patients’ doctors and  other providers to develop a comprehensive plan of care. Kristin spends her free time with her husband and dog.