Recognizing a need to attend to the special needs of women, Mercy expanded their outpatient physical therapy services to include a women's health program. Mercy physical therapists received specialized training to provide physical therapy services that benefit women with a variety of medical conditions, promoting and enhancing women's health throughout the lifespan. Examples of treatment conditions include, but are not limited to: 

 

Defined as the involuntary loss of urine/feces that becomes a social or hygienic problem, urinary or fecal incontinence is a very common but treatable condition. Physical therapists at Mercy can assist women with this problem by training the pelvic floor muscles to work more efficiently to inhibit urges and delay the need to voice or defecate until it is appropriate. Use of biofeedback, vaginal weights, guided exercise, and manual facilitation techniques along with patient education are used to achieve the goal of continence.

 

 

Vaginismus is a condition in which the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vaginal canal spasm and cause pain with vaginal penetration, inhibiting a woman's ability to engage in sexual intercourse, use tampons or tolerate pelvic exams without pain. Physical therapists at Mercy use relaxation techniques, home exercises, biofeedback, manual stretching, guided exercise, vaginal dilators, moist heat and ultrasound to encourage relaxation and release of the pelvic floor muscles.

 

 

Defined as "painful vaginal penetration," this condition is treated similarly to vaginismus, allowing for vaginal penetration and return to pain free sexual intercourse.

 

 

Interstitial cystitis, often referred to as Painful Bladder Syndrome, is thought to be an irritation or inflammation of the innermost lining of the bladder wall. People with this condition complain of urinary urgency, pain, aching, burning, and spasm along with some degree of incontinence. On average, women with this condition use the restroom 16 times a day, often with very little urinary output. Physical therapists at Mercy help patients manage interstitial cystitis using electrical stimulation, biofeedback, manual stretching, guided exercise, moist heat and cold packs. Extensive behavioral and hygiene education using a bladder diary helps women with interstitial cystitis control their symptoms.

 

Women with vulvodynia experience a broad range of symptoms including pain, burning and dryness in and around the vaginal opening that limits penetration of the vagina for intercourse, pelvic exams, or tampon insertion. Women with this condition often experience intense pain even with light touch to the perineum causing discomfort even when wearing undergarments or tight pants. Physical therapists at Mercy help patients with vulvodynia manage their symptoms by offering pain-relieving treatments including relaxation techniques, electrical stimulation, guided exercise, biofeedback, ultrasound and manual techniques. Physical therapists also teach genital by hygiene and home exercises specific to the patient's need.

 

 

Some women experience a herniation or a drop of their pelvic organs that causes discomfort and is often accompanied with bladder/fecal incontinence. Physical therapists at Mercy train women to use their pelvic floor muscles more effectively to support their pelvic organs and eliminate symptoms of incontinence. Using biofeedback, manual facilitation techniques and guided exercise, women with mild prolapse problems can delay and often eliminate the need for surgical intervention. Physical therapists may also use electrical stimulation or vaginal weights to improve pelvic floor strength if significantly impaired.

 

 

The additional strains on pregnancy, poor postural control and increased levels of certain hormones often lead to back pain during pregnancy. Physical therapists at Mercy help pregnant women recover from back pain, teaching them how to safely continue exercise during their pregnancy and showing them how to avoid re-injury. Use of manual techniques and guided exercise along with instruction in safe mechanics for home and work activities help to eliminate back pain during pregnancy. Physical therapists also teach patients how to avoid postpartum back pain and how to manage the additional physical challenges of motherhood to keep their back healthy.

 

 

Strength, flexibility and balance exercises help women with osteoporosis manage their condition, decreasing fall risk and reducing pain levels. Physical therapists at Mercy use guided exercise on land or in the warm water pool to help women with osteoporosis build their strength and accomplish their goals.