Women’s Physical Rehab Programs for Patients of All Ages
A woman’s body undergoes many changes throughout her lifespan and
may present unique health care needs. Physical Therapy can be an integral
part of women’s healthcare for a variety of medical conditions.
The Women’s Health Program, at Allied Services Integrated Health
System in Scranton, provides comprehensive rehab care to women throughout
all stages of life. A team of physical therapists develops an individual
program utilizing the latest technology. You can learn more about the
conditions we treat below.
Incontinence
Millions of people are affected by urinary incontinence but are often too
embarrassed to seek treatment. Urinary incontinence is a common problem
but is not a normal part of aging or routine result of childbirth. There
are different types of incontinence including the involuntary loss of
urine with physical exertion, coughing or sneezing and/or the involuntary
loss of urine with a strong desire to void.
While Kegel exercises and/or medications are common treatments of incontinence,
Physical Therapy can supplement those treatments by teaching strategies
to manage and control symptoms. Biofeedback training, exercises, relaxation
techniques, and education regarding particular symptoms will allow for
regained control of urination.
Fecal incontinence is another condition that can be addressed by the Physical
Therapists at Allied Services Rehab. Fecal incontinence may result from
weakened pelvic floor muscles caused by childbirth, aging, and chronic
constipation. Using techniques similar to those mentioned above patients
can learn to manage the symptoms of fecal incontinence.
Pelvic Pain
At some point in their lives, most women experience pelvic pain. Pelvic
pain is a general term used to describe debilitating discomfort in the
pelvic region.
Common symptoms include:
Pain with sexual activities, tampon use, and speculum exams.
Pain in the groin, buttocks, low back, hip, abdomen, and legs.
Difficulty with normal activities such as sitting, rising from a chair,
standing or walking.
Difficulty with recreational activities like golfing, walking, jogging
or other types of exercise.
Chronic constipation or difficulty with bowel movements.
Urinary urgency, frequency or retention.
Pelvic pain can occur at any time in life, causing significant emotional
distress, and adversely affecting quality of life. Dysfunction and pain
in the pelvis may have many origins including falls, car accidents or
other traumas, childbirth, abdominal or pelvic surgeries, radiation, endometriosis
or other diseases, and poor movement patterns or postures. The Women’s
Health Program at Allied Services Rehab can help you manage your pelvic
pain, return you to your normal activity, and improve your quality of
life through hands-on manual therapy and exercise specifically designed
for diagnosis affecting women.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is an excess of fluid that is caused by impairment of the lymphatic system.
While there is no cure for lymphedema, it is a condition that can be managed.
The Women’s Health Program at Allied Services Rehab can help to
reverse the effects of the condition and avoid its progression. Physical
and occupational therapists with specialized training in lymphedema management
use lymphatic massage, compression bandaging, and resistive and aerobic
exercise to manage symptoms. These are combined with a detailed home program
that includes exercises and bandaging techniques. The program can help
to restore affected limbs to their normal shape and size, improve appearance
and function, lower risk of infection, and improve quality of life.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that reduces bone strength. It can lead to height
loss, back, rib, and abdominal pain, and respiratory problems. Osteoporosis
can also lead to a fracture, typically wrist, spine or hip. These fractures
can produce serious disability. While osteoporosis affects millions of
women, the progression of the disease can be addressed.
Once diagnosed, osteoporosis can be addressed. While pharmaceuticals are
primarily used to treat the disease, Physical Therapy can play a key role
in supplementing drug treatments. By improving posture, strength, range
of motion, balance, and ability to walk, physical therapists can alleviate
some of the postural and painful symptoms associated with osteoporosis.
Pregnancy & Post-Partum
Changes occurring to a woman’s body during the childbearing ears
challenge the stability and mobility of a woman’s physical structure.
The changes may create pain and dysfunctions in the joints and muscles
throughout the body, including the back, pelvis, trunk and rib cage. Vaginal
births may cause pelvic floor injuries leading to pain and incontinence.
Cesarean births also can cause painful musculoskeletal conditions because
of weakened abdominal muscles and scarring. The Women’s Health Program
at Allied Services Rehab can address these issues in a sensitive manner
with an individualized program to help women transition through the childbearing
year and prepare for the physical demands of raising a child.
Specialty Services
Computer-Assisted Pelvic Floor Strengthening
Kegel exercises can be much more efficient with added resistance. A computer-assisted
pelvic floor strengthening device can add progressive dynamic resistance,
strengthening and toning these muscles more effectively than one would
be able to on their own.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
It works by sending subtle electrical currents to nerves in the lower
back and pelvic muscles that are involved in urination.
Patient Education
An expert in women’s health at Allied Services will educate the patient
in exercises and precautions on managing their condition in-between and
post-therapy.
Referrals & Insurance
Patients need a prescription from their doctor in order to enroll in the
women’s health program at Allied Services Rehab. Insurance coverage
for this program is provided by most health insurance policies.
For specific questions on how to obtain a referral, please call
570-826-3900 (Wilkes-Barre) or
570-348-1360 (Scranton). Contact us to learn more or start your
referral process today.
