Some of the patients we've helped the most over the years are those who thought they couldn't be helped. They had considered their urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, or arthritis just part of aging or a consequence of giving birth. We at Midwest Physical Therapy understand the physical and emotional issues women face as their bodies change throughout life. Our specially trained therapists help women learn to be proactive about taking care of themselves and finding relief from chronic health problems.

Urinary Incontinence:
Our Women's Health Therapists have helped many women manage urinary incontinence (UI), defined as the involuntary loss of urine sufficient enough to pose a problem to the person afflicted. Approximately 13 million Americans between the ages of 15 and 64, the majority of whom are women, suffer from this problem. It can be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from weak pelvic floor muscles to diminished cognitive function. Research shows that using behavioral management for UI, like the type offered by Midwest Physical Therapy, is 75% effective in eliminating or greatly decreasing the incidence of UI. Our Women's Health Therapists use the latest techniques in biofeedback, electrical stimulation, muscle strengthening and other behavior modifications to help patients in successfully overcoming urinary incontinence.

Osteoporosis:
We also provide much needed relief for women suffering from osteoporosis, a pervasive health problem characterized by decreased bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures in the absence of other recognizable bone loss. It affects as many as 16 to 20 million individuals in the U.S., including one out of every four women over age 60. One of the main causes of such debilitating bone loss is inactivity. Our Women's Health Physical Therapists are specially trained to teach women the proper way to exercise to avoid initial or future bone loss. We also advise our patients about other action necessary to minimize bone loss, including proper calcium intake, good nutrition, and talking with their physicians about estrogen replacement options.

Arthritis:
Our Women's Health Therapists also successfully help women afflicted with arthritis. This chronic and debilitating disease is now the leading cause of disability in people over age 15, affecting an estimated 40 million Americans. Each year this condition results in 45 million physician visits and four million hospitalizations. Effectively targeting arthritis means reducing or preventing functional disability, and assisting individuals in maintaining maximum independence in their daily activities. Our Women's Health Therapists use a variety of proven techniques to achieve these goals, including hot and cold therapy, land and water-based exercise programs, and special joint protection techniques.

Prenatal and Postpartum Conditions:
Pregnancy can be physically demanding for even the fittest mothers-to-be. The strain associated with bodily changes can result in neck, back, or leg pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs and other types of musculoskeletal complaints. Midwest Physical Therapy's unique Prenatal/Postpartum Physical Therapy Program can successfully alleviate many of these musculoskeletal problems and help to avoid complications of the musculoskeletal system even after delivery.

Our extensively trained Women's Health Therapists see patients on a one-on-one basis and in group settings. We may administer treatment for a specific painful condition or simply evaluate the patient's posture and body mechanics, check for diastasis rectus and prescribe an exercise program. For the pregnant woman who has to restrict activity, we teach energy efficient movement patterns, proper bed mobility and transfer methods, and safe deep breathing and circulatory exercises. In all cases, ACOG guidelines are strictly followed.

In response to a large number of expectant patients experiencing back pain, we developed our popular Prenatal/Postpartum Back School. In an informal group setting, our therapists educate women about postural, musculoskeletal, and hormonal influences on back pain during pregnancy; prenatal ADL's: and prenatal and postpartum considerations in choosing furniture and equipment.

Our Prenatal/Postpartum Physical Therapy Program has also helped new mothers suffering post-partum discomfort from delivery, body strain from caring for and breast feeding a newborn, as well as post-cesarean patients experiencing residual abdominal weakness or pain. Our patients learn proper ways to retrain and strengthen their bodies, proper posture for breast feeding, good body mechanics for every day childcare and successful pain relief measures.

Post-Surgical and Other General Orthopedic Conditions:
Our Women's Health Therapists are experienced in treating women throughout all of life's stages and health concerns. In addition to post-cesarean section patients, we help women after hysterectomy or other types of surgery in which abdominal and/or pelvic floor muscles are weakened. We also treat general low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. In all cases, each patient is given a complete evaluation and appropriate treatment, including a home exercise program and prevention education, is designed especially for her.

Thank you for your interest in the Women's Heath Program at Midwest Physical Therapy! Our Women's Health Team is made up of dedicated therapists who have concentrated their practices in obstetrics and gynecology and provide treatment and education for women of all ages who may have a variety of common problems.