ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERPAY IN WOMEN'S HEALTH
Premenstrual Syndrome
Endometriosis
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Physiotherapists can provide a customized exercise program that will help in reducing the weight gained due to dietary changes to the storage of estrogen in adipose tissue, reducing insulin levels, and reducing carbohydrate consumption.
Heart Disease
Physical therapy can help prevent the onset of heart disease, and reduce the negative consequences of heart disease by implementing a treatment program that addresses all the factors of treatment for this disease. This may include advice for stopping smoking, an exercise program for weight management, and improving cholesterol levels. There are cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients who have had a heart attack or have severe heart disease.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis development occurs more in post-menopausal women. Physiotherapy can help prevent further bone loss and reduce the risk of bone fractures. Strengthening exercises for your bones is of utmost importance to maintain the health of osteoporotic bones. Exercise programs also include weight-bearing exercises, flexible exercises, postural and balance exercises.
Obesity
Physiotherapy has a role in the prevention and management of obesity. There is restriction in movement due to lack of physical inactivity. Exercise and movement play the key role in physiotherapy practice. A treatment plan for the obese patient includes personalized lifestyle advice, prescriptions, supervision, and proper physical activity to increase muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance to maintain energy output and weight loss.
Depression
Exercise is known to benefit patients with mild to moderate mood disorders, especially anxiety and depression. While doing aerobic exercise, your body releases endorphins which are responsible for relieving pain and improving mood. These endorphins may reduce cortisol levels, which are considered elevated in depression patients. Exercise increases the level of serotonin in the same way that antidepressants work, allowing more serotonin to persist in nerve synapse. Exercise can be aerobic or resistant in nature, as both are considered beneficial in a wide variety of patients.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is an inability to control the flow of urine. Urine leakage occurs due to weakness of the pelvic floor muscles as a result of injury, pregnancy, surgery or lack of exercise. Physiotherapy sessions include: dietary modification to avoid bladder irritation, pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, methods to reduce urinary urgency and frequency.
