At Rapid Rehabilitation, we have licensed physical therapists and professional staff who specialize in providing care for the unique needs of women.  We treat women throughout the lifespan and can offer physical therapy expertise in the following areas:

FIBROMYALGIA

          What is fibromyalgia?

·        A chronic syndrome of fatigue and widespread musculoskeletal pain.  It affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the body.  Generally, people with fibromyalgia “ache all over”

·        No specific cause has been determined for the condition, although many theories are being researched

What are the symptoms?

·        Pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and mood changes are the most common symptoms

·        Some people experience numbness/tingling in the legs, feet, arms, hand, or face

What can I do?

·        Although currently there is no cure for fibromyalgia, you can still control you symptoms and maintain a productive lifestyle by doing the following:

o       Take an active role in managing your health—education on your condition and possible treatments is essential

o       Exercise-try a variety of low-to non-impact activities and see which activities work best for you

o       Medication—ask your physician what medications are appropriate for you for pain relief/decreasing stiffness and for regulating sleep patterns

o       Stress management—explore different relaxation techniques since stress/tension aggravate symptoms.  Many people find attending a support group helpful also

o       Physical therapy

How can physical therapy help fibromyalgia?

·        Two main physical therapy principles in treating fibromyalgia are:

o       Increasing cardiovascular/aerobic fitness

o       Mobilize tight, sore muscles

·        For many women, this is best accomplished by low- or non-impact exercise such as biking, swimming, or water aerobics.  Aerobic exercise helps to stimulate the production of your body’s natural antidepressant, known as endorphins

·        Your individualized exercise program will decrease pain and improve your posture, flexibility, and fitness

·        You will learn self management techniques for increasing relaxation and  physiological quieting and techniques for improving your sleep and home/work environments

·        Pain control can be accomplished by using heat, ice, massage, biofeedback, ultrasound, TENS, and electrical stimulation

·        You and your therapist will decide what is best for you

Why is fibromyalgia so difficult to diagnose?

·        Two of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia (chronic pain and fatigue) can also be caused by many other conditions

·        People with fibromyalgia often undergo many tests, repeated evaluations and much frustration before they are officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia

·        Fortunately, studies have helped establish diagnostic guides, such as distinctive tender points, which can help separate fibromyalgia from other conditions that can also cause chronic fatigue and muscle pain

·        People with fibromyalgia are more likely to have: tension/migraine headaches, a history of allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, heart palpitations, heartburn, swelling, and coldness in the hands and feet

OSTEOPOROSIS

          What is osteoporosis?

·        Osteoporosis means porus bones

·        The bones are weaker and less dense in people with osteoporosis

·        The bones are so fragile that even a minor fall can cause a fracture

·        Osteoporosis leads to 15 million fractures each year

What causes osteoporosis?

·        Throughout our lifetime small amounts of bone are being absorbed and new bone formed. 

·        As we age, more bone is lost than replaced

·        After menopause, bone loss accelerates for 5 to 7 years

·        By age 70, a woman may have lost up to 30% of her bone mass

·        Some people lose more bone mass than others

·        Heredity and lifestyle choices about diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol use play an important role in the amount and speed of a woman’s bone loss

What can I do to help avoid osteoporosis?

·        CALCIUM

o       Your daily diet should include low-fat and non-fat milk and other dairy products which are the best sources of calcium

o       Also dark green, leafy vegetables are another good source (except spinach which interferes with calcium absorption)

Optimal Calcium Requirements:

Women ages 11-24: 1200-1500 mg

Women ages 25-50: 1000 mg

Pregnant or nursing women: 1200-1500 mg

Women over 50 on estrogen: 1000 mg

Women over 50 not on estrogen: 1500 mg

Women over 65: 1500 mg

·        VITAMIN D

o       It is essential for your body’s calcium absorption

o       Look for dairy products with vitamin D added

o       Also 15 minutes of sunlight can meet your daily need of vitamin D

·        TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT MEDICATIONS

o       Make sure you are taking the right medications

o       Estrogen replacement therapy after menopause has been proven to slow bone loss

o       Also there are several new medications that may be appropriate for some women

·        EXERCISE

o       Proper weight-bearing exercise includes brisk walking, jogging/running, weight-lifting, low-impact aerobics, tennis, etc.

·        AVOID SMOKING, AND USE CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL IN MODERATION

How can physical therapy help osteoporosis?

·        Build strength and bone density

·        Improve your posture and balance

·        Maintain your normal range of motion

·        Learn safer ways of doing daily activities with less risk of injuring fragile bones

BACK PAIN IN PREGNANCY

          What causes back pain in pregnancy?

·        Hormones that are produced during pregnancy can soften ligaments and allow the joints of the spine and pelvis to become uneven

·        The surrounding muscles of the low back and hip must work harder to stabilize and protect the loose joints and therefore can become overworked and painful

·        Poor resting positions and poor body mechanics for bending, squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. can make the condition worse.

What can I do to help my back?

·        For sharp/acute pain, use cold compresses to the area

·        For achy/muscle soreness, use warm compresses to the area

·        Sit up straight, don’t slouch, sit with a pillow behind your back for support

·        Sleep with pillow(s) between your knees

·        Have a friend or spouse give you a relaxing massage

·        Move through the day with good posture, move as if you are wearing a pencil slim skirt, which will help keep your pelvis even

Should I seek help for my pregnancy related back pain?

·        Approximately 50% of all pregnant women complain of back pain

·        You should seek the help of a physical therapist if the pain is affecting your daily activities

·        You may be having difficulty with sleeping, standing, sitting, driving, etc.

·        Work and home activities may be painful and difficult to perform

·        If you describe pain as sharp, intense, throbbing, aggravating, pins/needles, stabbing, or as a “catch in my back,” you could benefit from physical therapy

·        Please speak to your physician about a referral for physical therapy evaluation and treatment

How can physical therapy help my pain?

·        Pregnancy, delivery, and caring for your newborn places great demands on your body and an result in numerous conditions:

o       Neck pain

o       Upper back pain

o       Lower back pain

o       Tailbone pain

o       Groin pain

o       Hip pain

o       Pelvic floor pain (pin around the vaginal area)

o       Sciatica

o       Carpal tunnel syndrome

·        Physical therapy consists of:

o       Education about the cause of your pain and how you can help yourself at home and work

o       Education on safe and correct movements/good body mechanics

o       correction of misalignment of the spine and uneven pelvis

o       Manual therapy/massage for irritable and overworked muscles

o       A tailored exercise program specific to your condition

URINARY INCONTINENCE

          What is urinary incontinence?

·        Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control

·        Urinary leakage can range from a few drops of urine to large “accidents”

·        An estimated 15 to 25 million Americans have urinary incontinence

Most common types of urinary incontinence

·        Stress incontinence-urine leakage during activities such as lifting, walking, coughing, sneezing, etc. caused by increased abdominal and bladder pressure and weak pelvic floor muscles

·        Urge incontinence-loss of bladder control when having a strong and urgent need to urinate

·        Mixed incontinence-combination of both stress and urge symptoms

How can physical therapy help urinary incontinence?

·        Biofeedback training uses computer technology to assist you in performing Kegel exercises (contracting the pelvic floor muscles-those muscles which stop the flow of urine).  It gives you visual feedback which will assist you in gaining control of your pelvic floor muscle function

·        Electrical stimulation helps to reeducate your pelvic floor muscles.  It helps you to become aware of these muscles and to learn how to contract them correctly.  It can calm unwanted bladder contractions also.

·        Vaginal weights are used to increase pelvic floor muscle strength.  The muscle toning program consists of using graduated interchangeable weights in a tampon-like vaginal cone.

·        Bladder retraining is a program that helps restore your bladder capacity to normal and returns you to a more normal and convenient pattern of urinating.  It consists of keeping a bladder diary, following a schedule of urinating, and learning urge control

·        Physical therapy also includes body mechanics training and customized home exercise program instruction

What can I do to help decrease incontinence?

·        Do not reduce the amount of fluids that you drink.  Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.

·        Decrease caffeine intake.

·        Avoid rushing to the bathroom (walk slowly)

·        Practice Kegel exercises 30-80 repetitions per day.

·        Seek help from your physician and physical therapist

CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN

          What is it?

·        Pain in the lower body—the pelvis, back, buttocks, and abdomen that lasts 6 months or longer

·        It is a complex problem and may have several causes:

o       Urinary tract problems such as interstitial cystitis and urethral syndrome

o       Gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome

o       Uterine problems such as endometriosis or dysmennorrhea (painful menses)

o       Post-surgical scar pain or abdominal adhesions

VULVODYNIA AND VULVAR VESTIBULITIS

          What is it?

·        Vulvodynia is defined as chronic vulvar pain or discomfort

·        The pain varies from person to person and is described as burning, stinging, or rawness around the vagina

·        These symptoms may be constant or intermittent

·        Vulvar vestibulitis (vestibulodynia) is a type of vulvodynia, in which pain is experienced only when pressure is applied to the vulvar tissue as with intercourse, tampon insertion, or riding a bike

·        Possible causes:

o       Injury or irritation to nere of the vulva

o       Hypersensitivity to yeast

o       Allergic response to environmental irritants

o       High levels of oxalate crystals in the urine

o       Spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina

How can physical therapy help?

·        Just like any other muscle in the body, pelvic floor muscles can go into spas m and cause pain

·        When pelvic floor muscles are in spasm, blood flow to the area may be restricted causing a build up of “waste products” that worsen the symptoms of pain and burning

·        Education about what is causing your pain and how you can help yourself

·        Biofeedback and/or myofascial release to decrease muscle tension

·        Treatment for pain

·        Tailored exercise program for your needs