There are many reasons why a woman should seek out a women’s health physical therapist. Keep reading below to find out when you should seek help and how you can be treated.

written by: Amy Tamos PT, DPT

1. Back pain

Physical therapists are movement specialists and can address and help to alleviate back pain that can be caused by many factors. Caring for babies and kids can increase or create back pain if you have poor posture and/or poor movement patterns. A Women’s Health PT will look into the pelvic floor more completely and how it relates to the back pain. A traditional PT can help with overall back pain, but if the pain is caused by pelvic floor dysfunction it is better to see a Women’s Health or Pelvic Health Physical Therapist. 

Are there any movements you should DO during pregnancy or postpartum?  I would recommend being mindful of overall posture. If your posture is poor, often times that can lead to back pain. Each woman is different, but core activation is usually my main beginning point.I really like to educate on having your belly expand when you inhale and engage the abdominals with exhale. If you place your hands on your belly it helps the brain and body work better together.

Can you resume normal abdominal exercises at 6 weeks if you are cleared by your provider postpartum?  I am a proponent of easing back into exercise. Some women can get discouraged that they are not able to work out at the same level, but the body just went through a 40 week pregnancy and delivery, which is a feat of endurance and strength. Give yourself and your body some grace. A Women’s Health PT would love to see women that are unsure of exercises so that they can continue to be confident in their choices.

2. Abdominal/core weakness

Some women have a separation in the abdominal muscles known as a Diastasis Recti. It is a separation in the muscles of the abdomen that can lead to back pain and/or decreased ability to do the exercises or activities that she may want to do. This condition is present in 100% of pregnant women in her third trimester. If left untreated, women can have additional problems like back pain and/or with pelvic floor issues. 

How do you know if you have diastasis recti? If you lie down with your knees bent and then lift your head, place your fingers right above your belly button. If you feel a separation where your fingers can sink down, that is the diastasis. Checking when pregnant you should use much less pressure.

Is there any way to prevent getting diastasis recti? In terms of exercises, there is nothing that you should always do or always avoid. It is best to be aware of pain or discomfort and stay away from those exercises or movements that increase that pain. A diastasis will occur in 66-100% of pregnancies in the third trimester. If a woman still has one 6 weeks after delivery, PT will be the most beneficial treatment.

3. Urine/bowel leakage

I am sure that you have heard women talking about how “peeing in her pants is the new normal for her.” I am here to tell you that that sentence does not need to be uttered anymore. It is common, but not normal, to continue to have urine or bowel leakage 8-12 weeks after delivering a child, either by C-section or vaginal means. PT is extremely effective in alleviating these concerns. I am here to help you with this quality of life issue!

4. Pain with physical intimacy of preferred type

This is a part of adulthood that should not be painful. Oftentimes, women have increased tightness of their pelvic floor muscles leading to pain with intimacy. This tightness can be related to a variety of reasons and is also treatable with Women’s Health PT. Don’t be nervous to bring this up to any of your other practitioners either. 

How do you know if you should see a specialist after birth if physical intimacy hurts? In general, sex should not be painful. The first time or two after delivery may be uncomfortable, but the pain should not be severe. If you are having pain every time with intercourse, often times there is tightness of the pelvic floor leading to that pain with penetration.

It is always helpful to use a water-based lubricant, especially if you are still nursing or pumping as your estrogen levels will be low leading to vaginal dryness and possible pain with intercourse. I recommend using water-based lubricants as they are the most gentle. Water based lubricants are also able to be used with condoms, as silicone-based ones cannot be; the silicone will damage the condom. If you are still having pain with intercourse or tampon insertion, I recommend that you see a Women’s Health PT, no matter how far postpartum you are.

In summary, all of the issues that are treatable by a Women’s Health PT boil down to quality of life. Women with any of the above mentioned issues have decreased quality of life and it is my goal to help women to not be embarrassed to talk about these problems and seek help for them. 

My name is Amy Tamos PT, DPT and I am the provider at Full Circle Physical Therapy in Clarendon Hills, IL. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns that you may have. I look forward to helping many women in the future. Fullcirclephysicaltherapy.net

Other helpful blog posts:

• Everything you need to know about sex after baby 
• Your period after baby
• Battling postpartum hair loss

**This post is educational and not meant to take the place of your provider