A physical therapist is highly skilled in evaluating and treating various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions affecting the body. This profession focuses on assessing any underlying factors, such as strength, neuromuscular control, balance, coordination, skeletal alignment, and endurance, which may be contributing to impaired functional mobility, activity participation, and quality of life.
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WOM E N ’ S H E A L T H MAT T E R S ! I N C O N T I N E N C E , C H R O N I C P E L V I C P A I N , & P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y
A physical therapist is highly skilled in evaluating and treating various musculoskeletalandneurologicalconditionsaffectingthebody.Thisprofession focusesonassessinganyunderlying factors,suchasstrength,neuromuscular control, balance, coordination, skeletal alignment, and endurance, which may be contributing to impaired functional mobility, activity participation, and quality of life. Of course, most people only seek physical therapy when they’re suffering from a common injury or condition such as whiplash, tendonitis, low back pain, ligament sprains, and plantar fasciitis. Perhaps lesser known is that chronicpelvicpainanddysfunction, including incontinence,canalsorespond positively to physical therapy intervention. Causes Of Incontinence And Chronic Pelvic Pain Ifyouhavepain inyourpelvis, itmaynotalwaysbe fullyclearwhat’scausing it. Some common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain include, but are not limited to:
Anyoftheseconditionsmay leadto inadequatesupportoftheorganscontained withyourpelviccavity, increasedpressureor inflammationofnerves,muscles, andotherconnectivetissues(includingyourbladder),and impairedpelvicbone alignment. These symptoms can be frustrating, painful, and embarrassing, and may limit your tolerance to daily participation in desired activities, including exercise. Other symptoms frequently appear with pelvic pain, including incontinence, bloating,abdominalpressure,reluctance tostrainwhiledefecating,andpain in the low back, buttocks, and hips. You may also have decreased tolerance to a variety of activities including sitting or standing, walking, exercise, and sexual intercourse. How A Physical Therapist Can Treat Pelvic Pain Every patient presenting with chronic pelvic pain is unique. If you come to see a physical therapist for your pelvic dysfunction, you’ll be taken through a thorough physical examination and patient history questionnaire. He or she will ask you specific questions about your pain, what makes it worse and better, and whether you have a history of any related issues. Based on the results of the examination, your physical therapist can then develop a customized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and address the suspected underlying causes to prevent recurring dysfunction.
• Levator ani syndrome (increased tension in pelvic floor muscles) • Post-surgical complications (e.g., pain following a hysterectomy, hernia repair, cesarean section, and/or prostatectomy)
• Pregnancy • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction • Coccydynia • Irritation of the pudendal nerve (which originates near the bottom of your spine) • Irritable bowel syndrome
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Urinary incontinence has a reputation of being something only little old ladies have. But many young people get urinary incontinence. And while more women than men are affected, men can have urinary problems too, especially after prostate surgery. Fortunately, there are many treatments for urinary incontinence. Behavioral treatment. Some people with urinary incontinence may get relief by making simple lifestyle changes. If you have stress incontinence, for instance, inwhichyou leakurinewhenyoucough,sneeze,or laugh,your physical therapistmay tellyou to limithowmuchyoudrink. Ifyouhaveurge incontinence, in which you get the sudden urge to urinate and can’t always make it to thebathroom in time,yourphysical therapistmay tellyou toavoid spicy foods, caffeine, and carbonated drinks, because they can irritate the bladder and make the problem worse. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, known as Kegels, can sometimes help people with stress incontinence.Kegelscanalsohelppeoplewithurge incontinence.Sometimes, Kegels are combined with biofeedback techniques to help you know if you are doing the exercises properly. For urge incontinence, bladder training, U N D E R S TA N D I N G I N C O N T I N E N C E
sometimes called bladder retraining, can also help. This involves gradually increasing the interval time between trips to the bathroom, working up to longer and longer intervals between bathroom stops. Devices and absorbent products. Protective pads and panty liners can help avoid embarrassing situations. A pessary, a plastic device inserted into the vagina,mayhelppreventurine leakagebysupportingtheneckofthebladder; it is most useful for stress incontinence. Mild to moderate cases of common types of incontinence can be cured or greatly improved by behavioral or exercise therapy. We can also teach you habits and techniques to reduce urgency and urge incontinence (or leaking with a strong urge on the way to the bathroom). Even periodic incontinence is not something you have to deal with. We can help!
Call your physical therapist at Accelerate Therapy & Performance to see how laser therapy can benefit you!
E X E R C I S E E S S E N T I A L S RELIEVE INCONTINENCE
Sit in a chair with tall, relaxed posture. Slowly and gradually contract your pelvic floor until you reach maximum strength. Then slowly return to your relaxed position.
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN PHYSICAL THERAPY OR PERSONAL TRAINING, VISIT ACCELERATE-PT.COM TODAY!
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S
WH AT O U R P AT I E N T S A R E S AY I N G :
“ATP was recommended to me, hopefully, to heal my ‘achy’ knees. I can definitely see an improvement with my knees in the past 4 weeks. We have also worked on exercises that help to improve my back. I can tell that my flexibility has improved as well as my endurance. I really enjoyed working with Jesse and Josh. I feel they have challenged me to become more active. I will recommend ATP to everyone!” - Sylvia B.
PELVIC FLOOR WORKSHOPS
MAY 11 AT 10 AM Lexington Location MAY 18 AT 10 AM Salisbury Location
“I will recommend ATP to everyone!”
H E A L T H Y R E C I P E BLACKENED CHICKEN WITH AVOCADO SAUCE
Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist. Your therapist can discuss with you why your pain is bothering you again and what you might do about it at home. H A S Y O U R P A I N C O M E B A C K ? 1 2
INGREDIENTS • 4 (4 oz) chicken breasts • 2 tbsp blackened seasoning • ½ cup plain, Greek yogurt • ½ avocado • 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp garlic powder • ½ tsp salt • 2 tbsp green onions, thinly sliced
INSTRUCTIONS Place thechickenbreastsandblackenedseasoning ina largeresealable bag.Sealandshakea few times toevenlycoat thechicken.Lightlycoat a largeskilletwithnonstickcookingsprayandheatovermedium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until cooked through, 4-6 minutes per side. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the yogurt, avocado, lemon juice,garlicpowder,andsaltandpulseuntilsmoothandcreamy. To serve, top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of the creamy avocado sauce and garnish with ½ tablespoon green onions.
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If further assessment is warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.
WE ’ RE HERE TO HE LP YOU ! Though many patients are prescribed or referred physical therapy by a physician, a licensed physical therapist can give evaluations without either! We accept most insurances and will verify benefits for you so that you can get started right away! Call us to schedule your evaluation today!
S TA F F S P O T L I G H T WELCOMING MICHELLE!
Michelle is one of the newest staff members at Accelerate Therapy and Performance. Michelle earned a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from Winston-Salem State University. She enjoys working with orthopedic, geriatrics, and worker’s compensation populations. Originally fromMinnesota,shehas lived inSalisbury for thepast 20 years. She is married to Jeff Hopkins and has 3 children and 1 granddaughter. Her sons keep her busy with both school and travel baseball nearly every weekend when weather allows.
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