Why women need physical therapy as much as we need wine
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “Physical therapy? I’m not injured so I don’t NEED physical therapy. But, wine, on the other hand, is my “me” time. I NEED my wine.”
Well, I’ve been thinking about it and it turns out physical therapy and wine actually have something in common – they both help us recover, rejuvenate, and refresh, but in different ways.
As women, it’s in our DNA to put everyone else’s needs before our own even though we know how important it is to take time for ourselves, how much better we feel when we do it, and as a result, how much better of a mother it makes us. A glass (or two) of wine is a perfect way to mentally unwind and relax once the day is over.
But, what are we doing for our bodies?
Sure, we go the gym and we try to eat right, but what are we really doing to repair our bodies from the wear and tear we’ve put on them over the years? Let’s be honest – all those years of running ½ marathons, carrying our babies in our bellies for 10 months, and wearing those 4 inch heels for 10 hours a day have put a toll on our body. I feel it and I know you do, too.
Let’s take pregnancy and delivery as an example. Our bodies went through all sorts of physical changes to prepare us for carrying and delivering a baby (or two or three) and many of those changes have lasting effects that are now part of a “new normal” that we’ve chosen to live. Think abstinence over pain during sex, dehydration over incontinence, or chronic achiness over a daily run.
I say “choice” deliberately because we have made a choice to live like this. What we experience as women is common, but it’s not normal and it can be corrected. Look, I get it, we all have other things on our mind (the big meeting, what’s for dinner tonight, the permission slip for school, the bbq this weekend) and the pain’s not that bad so we think we’ll just get used to it. But the truth is, as we get older, it becomes harder to manage and more difficult to fix. Eventually, your sex life becomes nonexistent, you stop picking up your babies unless you have to, and you think twice about signing up for that next race. You’ve stopped doing the things that matter to you.
The trick to fixing these issues may not be more sit-ups, another session of CrossFit, or a personal trainer. This might be a surprise to you, but physical therapy, specifically from a physical therapist that specializes in women’s health, is where you can find lasting results. In fact, the very exercises that we are likely to do to help us lose the baby weight and that stubborn baby belly can actually do more harm than good, leading to possible incontinence, a bigger tummy bulge, and long-term injury.
At Vitality, we’ve been treating women who were sick of sitting on the sidelines; they wanted to increase their endurance and get back into running or become active participants in their family’s life – the way they always imagined. By understanding their specific goals and creating personal treatment plans, we’ve been able to help them restore their health, participate in the daily activities that once held them back, and empower them to take on the world.
This is what one of our patients had to say after working with us:
For years I suffered from pelvic pain. I avoided dealing with my impairments, even though my symptoms interfered significantly with intercourse and gynecological exams. Since starting pelvic floor physical therapy, my quality of life has improved greatly. Intercourse is no longer painful, leading to an improved relationship with my spouse. I am no longer fearful of doctor’s appointments, which will help both now and in the future when we start a family. Jennifer, my physical therapist, has taught me skills that I can easily fit into my schedule, such as breathing techniques and proper hip stretches to help my pelvic muscles. She always takes the time during our sessions to educate me about the pelvic floor and discuss my treatment plan. I would encourage all women to seek out the team at Vitality sooner than later to achieve your goals!
Physical therapy really can make a difference in your quality of life. If you experience any of the following in your daily life, make an appointment with your doctor and with Vitality today:
- Leaking urine or using the bathroom often or urgently
- Difficulty controlling gas or bowel movements
- Pain during sex or orgasm
- Pelvic pain that limits you from daily activities like playing with your kids, unloading groceries, or exercising
- Pain in your back, hips, groin, or pelvic area when you sit, stand, roll out of bed, climb stairs, or get in and out of your car
- Difficulty reaching above your head, behind your back, or straight out in front of you due to shoulder pain
- Pain when trying to sleep at night
In the meantime, go ahead and enjoy that glass of wine.
At Vitality, we help women be at their best by specializing and treating disorders related to pelvic and back pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and restricted movement. Together, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan to help you support you in achieving your health and wellness goals.