Ladies - Kegels are not the Only Solution for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction You've probably heard of the pelvic floor and you may have a general idea of where it is located, but do you un- derstand the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy pelvic floor? Most women don't. The pelvic floor is an essential group of muscles and lig- aments that supports the function of urination, bowel movements, sex and pregnancy and delivery in women. These muscles play an important role in overall health, and a weakened pelvic floor can cause a myriad of symptoms including urine leakage, incontinence of both the bladder and bowels, low back pain and organ prolapse. WONSE "A lot of women don't understand what a strong pelvic floor means. It's not unusual for women who are dealing with these symptoms to hear that their symptoms are just a part of being a woman," Tyra Abdalla, DPT, a physical therapist at Wonsettler Physical Therapy, said. "I want to change this narrative. Being confident and empowered to do the things you love in life are a part of being a woman. Not peeing when you sneeze or being afraid to be intimate with your partner because of pain." "Often when you bring up women's someone that can really help and will Causes of pelvic floor dysfunction vary and may include health, you'll hear 'oh, i know how to but are not limited to the following: childbirth, certain surgeries like cesareans and hysterectomies and obe- sity. Your treatment should be directed based on your specific circumstance. listen to your story." she said. "This is so important to me and really drives me. I want to be able to help women and do Kegels,' but few people understand that you need an evaluation to create a specific plan. Sometimes, the pel- give them the tools to be able to get vic floor muscles are too tight. Other times, they are too loose or not activat- ing correctly. Simply doing a 100 Kegels About Wonsettler Physical Therapy & a day could be harmful if your muscles Specialized Health are too tight. It could be making your back to what they want to do." "A lot of times, people postpone being seen for any on- going issues they are experiencing," Abdalla said. "They come to us when the check engine light is already on. They have already been experiencing worrisome signs for problems worse." quite some time." Wonsettler Physical Therapy, located in Scenery Hill, strives to go beyond the surface level and gets to the root of what's holding you back physically. Whether you've just had a baby, sur- gery or just started experiencing symp- toms. The hardest step is really finding someone who is capable to help and can listen to your story," she said. "This symptoms they've been experiencing is so important to me and really drives me. I want to be able to help women and give them the tools to be able to One symptom - low back pain - is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. While some treatment can include in- ternal techniques, Abdalla said that treatment can also be accomplished externally and non invasively, depend- "Women have a higher prevalence of low back pain," Ab- ing on someones specific needs. dalla said. "I always ask pelvic floor questions when I'm dealing with a female patient suffering from low back pain. You can imagine how many physical therapists aren't ask- ing these questions and pelvic floor problems are going undiagnosed. If you are receiving treatment for low back pain, but you're not seeing any improvement, you may be experiencing pelvic floor issues." "Treatment and recovery really de- pends on the individual and the type of and for how long," she said. "But the process of getting treatment, under- standing what the body is doing, is re- ally empowering and can really make get back to what they want to do." people feel better. Abdalla, who is currently working to finish her certification as a pelvic health specialist, said that urine leakage isn't a normal experience for a woman regardless of age or med- ical history. To learn more about the Wwonsettler As the emphasis around women's care continues to shift, Abdalla hopes that more women will have access to pelvic 724-945-5161 or visit wonsettlerpt.com. Physical Therapy & Specialized Health team and how they can help you, call "Just because it has only happened once or it happens in- frequently doesn't mean you shouldn't be evaluated by a pelvic floor specialist," she said. "Things may not always be preventable, but they are treatable." floor care. Sponsored content brought to you by "My hope as this profession grows is that pelvic therapy will be the next line of action. Whether you've just had a baby, surgery or just started symp- toms. The hardest step is really finding WPT WONSETTLER In order to properly heal, Abdalla said it's important to seek out specialized care. Physical Therapy & Specialized Health Ladies - Kegels are not the Only Solution for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction You've probably heard of the pelvic floor and you may have a general idea of where it is located, but do you un- derstand the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy pelvic floor? Most women don't. The pelvic floor is an essential group of muscles and lig- aments that supports the function of urination, bowel movements, sex and pregnancy and delivery in women. These muscles play an important role in overall health, and a weakened pelvic floor can cause a myriad of symptoms including urine leakage, incontinence of both the bladder and bowels, low back pain and organ prolapse. WONSE "A lot of women don't understand what a strong pelvic floor means. It's not unusual for women who are dealing with these symptoms to hear that their symptoms are just a part of being a woman," Tyra Abdalla, DPT, a physical therapist at Wonsettler Physical Therapy, said. "I want to change this narrative. Being confident and empowered to do the things you love in life are a part of being a woman. Not peeing when you sneeze or being afraid to be intimate with your partner because of pain." "Often when you bring up women's someone that can really help and will Causes of pelvic floor dysfunction vary and may include health, you'll hear 'oh, i know how to but are not limited to the following: childbirth, certain surgeries like cesareans and hysterectomies and obe- sity. Your treatment should be directed based on your specific circumstance. listen to your story." she said. "This is so important to me and really drives me. I want to be able to help women and do Kegels,' but few people understand that you need an evaluation to create a specific plan. Sometimes, the pel- give them the tools to be able to get vic floor muscles are too tight. Other times, they are too loose or not activat- ing correctly. Simply doing a 100 Kegels About Wonsettler Physical Therapy & a day could be harmful if your muscles Specialized Health are too tight. It could be making your back to what they want to do." "A lot of times, people postpone being seen for any on- going issues they are experiencing," Abdalla said. "They come to us when the check engine light is already on. They have already been experiencing worrisome signs for problems worse." quite some time." Wonsettler Physical Therapy, located in Scenery Hill, strives to go beyond the surface level and gets to the root of what's holding you back physically. Whether you've just had a baby, sur- gery or just started experiencing symp- toms. The hardest step is really finding someone who is capable to help and can listen to your story," she said. "This symptoms they've been experiencing is so important to me and really drives me. I want to be able to help women and give them the tools to be able to One symptom - low back pain - is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. While some treatment can include in- ternal techniques, Abdalla said that treatment can also be accomplished externally and non invasively, depend- "Women have a higher prevalence of low back pain," Ab- ing on someones specific needs. dalla said. "I always ask pelvic floor questions when I'm dealing with a female patient suffering from low back pain. You can imagine how many physical therapists aren't ask- ing these questions and pelvic floor problems are going undiagnosed. If you are receiving treatment for low back pain, but you're not seeing any improvement, you may be experiencing pelvic floor issues." "Treatment and recovery really de- pends on the individual and the type of and for how long," she said. "But the process of getting treatment, under- standing what the body is doing, is re- ally empowering and can really make get back to what they want to do." people feel better. Abdalla, who is currently working to finish her certification as a pelvic health specialist, said that urine leakage isn't a normal experience for a woman regardless of age or med- ical history. To learn more about the Wwonsettler As the emphasis around women's care continues to shift, Abdalla hopes that more women will have access to pelvic 724-945-5161 or visit wonsettlerpt.com. Physical Therapy & Specialized Health team and how they can help you, call "Just because it has only happened once or it happens in- frequently doesn't mean you shouldn't be evaluated by a pelvic floor specialist," she said. "Things may not always be preventable, but they are treatable." floor care. Sponsored content brought to you by "My hope as this profession grows is that pelvic therapy will be the next line of action. Whether you've just had a baby, surgery or just started symp- toms. The hardest step is really finding WPT WONSETTLER In order to properly heal, Abdalla said it's important to seek out specialized care. Physical Therapy & Specialized Health