Women’s health physical therapy can help with common problems such as:

• Urinary incontinence (bladder leaking)
• Pelvic Pain
• Urinary frequency or urgency
• Fecal incontinence or constipation
• Diastasis Recti
• Prenatal or postpartum pain
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Our treatment philosophy involves a whole body approach. Looking at many areas including your ribcage mobility, mid back mobility, hip strength, foot strength, and even your breathing strategy. Strengthening just the core and pelvic floor is not always the full solution. Often, one part of the body is tight or weak which puts too much strain on the pelvic floor.

What can you expect during your first visit?

Your general strength and mobility will be assessed. We will talk about your health history, symptoms and goals. Some women benefit from internal assessment of pelvic floor muscle tightness, tenderness and strength. However, if you prefer, there are many treatment and assessment options that do not require any internal treatment.

Treatment strategies such as pelvic floor relaxation, strengthening various muscle groups, education on managing intra-abdominal pressure and soft tissue mobilization techniques can all be used to help your recovery.

A doctor’s order is not necessary for you to start physical therapy under most insurance plans. We can help if you are unsure of your personal plan. We also offer free consultations to determine if physical therapy would benefit you.

Anya Polehna, DPT, earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. She has 12 years of experience as a physical therapist and has been specializing in women’s health for 7 years. She enjoys working with patients, addressing their individual needs to help them return to the activities they love.

Call the Rec Center Physical Therapy clinic at 319-295-8899, to schedule your women’s health physical therapy appointment today.

Urinary Incontinence:

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  Urinary stress incontinence is common in women and examples of this include leaking small amounts of urine with sneezing, coughing, running or jumping.

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  Studies have shown that 25% of female athletes struggle with urinary incontinence.

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  Even though this is common, it should not be considered just a "fact of life"; it is something that can be treated!

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  Many women are familiar with Kegel exercises, but there are times that these exercises are actually not the solution and can make things worse

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  If you are trying to strengthen your pelvic floor on your own without success, pelvic floor PT can help you find a better solution!

Facts about pelvic pain:

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  Research has shown that 1 in 7 women have suffered from pelvic pain

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  There are many conditions that can cause pelvic pain, including overactive pelvic floor muscles

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  Other diagnoses treated in physical therapy related to pelvic pain include:

  Pudendal Neuralgia

  Interstitial Cystitis

  Dyspareunia

  Pelvic floor hypertonicity

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  Pelvic health physical therapy can help identify and treat the cause of your pain.

Prolapse:

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common problem in women. Depending on the stage of prolapse, symptoms can be improved through physical therapy. Symptoms of prolapse can include a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis, difficulty starting a stream of urine or difficulty fully emptying the bladder. Pelvic health physical therapy can also help ensure successful outcomes following surgical procedures that address prolapse.