WOMEN'S HEALTH

Women through their life stages often undertake the role of childbearer, homemaker, mother and working woman. In many cases they perform several of these roles at the same time.
For this reason Chartered Physiotherapists in women's health believe that the women may need help to get through the many and varied , emotionally and physically demanding stages of life.
Physiotherapt may be appropriate at every stage of woman's life. This could be a treatment of a specific condition but it is more likely to mean advice on fitness, exercise, keeping fit in pregnancy and so on.
There are four well-defined periods in female development, which may require the involvement of a physiotherapist.

Teenage years: Physiotherapy can assist in teaching body awareness, giving postural advice, treating back pain and treating giggle incontinence.

Childbearing Years: Chartered Physiotherapists plat an important role in providing childbirth education both during and after pregnancy. A physiotherapist will give advice on prevention of pregnancy-related
musculo-skeletal disorders and provide trearment of symphysis pubis dysfunction, pelvic pain and other musculo-skeletal problems that can occur during pregnancy.
Following childbirth post-natal exercise classes and strengthening programmes may be necessary.
advice on posture when feeding and lifting baby as well as a return to activity is also given. A physiotherapist will advise on prevention of bladder problems and provide treatment if necessary.

Middle Years: At this stage, you may attend a chartered physiotherapist for treatment of incontinence and musculo-skeletal problems, advice on exercise
and fitness pre-and post-surgery (e.g. hysterectomy) and advice and support on the physical and emotional changes which may occur around the menopause.
A physiotherapist will encourage woman to understand the value of particular forms of exercise in the prevention of osteoporosis, teaching relaxation
and how to cope with stress.

Later Years: Advice on safe and appropriate exercise for general fitness and to help avoid osteoporosis is given. A physiotherapist will assist in restoring optimalfunction to women who have undergone surgery or who have had a stroke, fall or fracture.

Specific services offered in the management of above include:

 - Antenatal education classes.
 - Postnatal exercise and advice classes.
 - General exercise classes for mobility.
 - Relaxation classes.
 - Manual therapy for musculo-skeletal disorders.
 - Electrotherapy where appropriate.
 - Postural education with use of Pilates and Alexander techniques.
 - Bladder and pelvic floor re-education programmes.
 - Biofeedback for pelvic floor re-education.
 - Electrical muscle stimulation for pelvic floor re-education.

Finally, Chartered Physiotherapists aim to give women the best care available, while at all times indentifying their particular needs.
If appropriate your physiotherapist will laise with your doctor, hospital consultant or other health care professional.
Chartered Physiotherapists acknowledge that this is a specialist area and have many members who work exclusively
or have a special interest in this field.

A Chartered Physiotherapist is a graduate with a hospital-based  training who  has comprehensive knowledge of how the body works
and specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries.