POW Physical Therapy is pleased to offer Ventura County a complete women’s health program. POW Physical Therapy offers treatment for a wide range of dysfunctions that affect women throughout their lifespan. Dr. Ballentine Evans, Dr. Pepper and Dr. Hartnett have taken multiple classes in all areas of women’s health physical therapy ensuring her patients the best treatment available.
Areas of Women’s Health Treated at POW Physical Therapy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many changes in a woman’s body that can lead to aches or pains such as hormone changes, weight changes, center of gravity changes. A women’s health physical therapist is the ideal practitioner to help alleviate pain associated with pregnancy. Treatment may consist of manual therapy for muscle tightness and joint malalignment or restrictions, stretching, therapeutic exercise (including Pilates for core stabilization), posture training. Examples of diagnises that are commonly treated during pregnancy are: low back, upper back or neck pain, sciatica, pelvic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain, plantar fascitis.
Post Partum
Post Partum is a time of high demand for a woman’s body. Between breast or bottle feeding, lifting, bending, and interrupted sleep many areas of the body may feel strained. In addition, the body is healing from either a cesarean section or vaginal delivery. Examples of diagnoses that are commonly treated during post partum are: urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, dysparunia, low back pain, upper back or neck pain, wrist pain, pelvic pain.
Urinary or Fecal Incontinence
Urinary or Fecal Incontinenece can occur for many reasons and can highly affect a woman’s quality of life. Treatment is focused on strengthening of pelvic floor muscles, hips and core. Treatment may also include biofeedback, bladder training, bladder irritant training, bowel training. Example diagnoses are: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, fecal incontinence.
Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain may be caused by a variety of reasons such as childbirth or trauma. Goals of treatment for pelvic pain focus on improving the alignment of pelvic bones as well as improved mobility of pelvic joints and spine. Treatment will also consist of evaluation and treatment of underactive or overactive pelvic muscles as well as assessment for restrictions in connective or muscular tissue. Examples of diagnoses treated are: vaginismus, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, constipation, urinary frequency or urgency, pain in pelvis, chronic low back, hip or SI joint pain and abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain/ Scars/ Constipation/ Bowel Dysfunction
Manual therapy techniques in combination with gentle therapeutic exercise is beneficial for abdominal pain, adhesions, scars, constipation or GI dysfunction. Visceral mobilization can be incorporated into your manual therapy treatment in addition to myofascial techniques and scar tissue mobilization.
Pre/ Post Prostatectomy Rehab
Pre/ Post Prostatectomy Rehab is available for men to assist in recovery of continence after a prostatectomy.
Breast Cancer Rehab
Breast Cancer Rehab is designed to assist a woman with the recovery of strength and range of motion as well as pain relief after a breast cancer surgery or reconstructive surgery.
Osteopenia/ Osteoporosis
Osteopenia/Osteoporosis can predispose a person to compression fractures as well as traumatic fractures. Specific exercises will be incorporated into treatment to prevent or treat postural dysfunctions that lead to fractures as well as prevent falls associated with fractures.
