Comprehensive Women's Health Programs
Teenagers, athletes, child-bearing and mature women each have unique needs. Our objective at Rehab Associates is to increase health awareness for women. We are committed to educating and empowering women of all ages to achieve and maintain lifelong musculoskeletal health.
Rehab Associates offers a unique and progressive women’s health program. Our clinic is one of only a few practices in Ohio to offer complete specialized physical therapy services that focus on lifelong musculoskeletal health for women. Our skilled therapists have special training, and over 25 years of women’s health experience.
Each physical therapy program is tailored to meet the needs of the individual. A typical therapy program begins with an initial appointment to evaluate problems and set up a treatment plan. Treatments are usually scheduled once weekly for 6-12 weeks, with each treatment lasting 45-60 minutes. The program may include exercises, education and modalities (the use of therapy equipment). A short home exercise program is a recommended part of the treatment.
Referral from a physician may or may not be by your insurance. Please feel free to contact our office to find out if a prescription is necessary. Physical Therapy services are covered by most insurance programs. Women’s health services are offered at our Newark clinic.
Pregnancy
The body goes through many changes during pregnancy. Women may experience problems such as muscle spasms, buttocks and back pain, and tingling in the wrists and hands. Exercises to improve posture and body alignment, along with specific, gentle massage and manual techniques, often relieve these problems in as few as three to four treatments. Women are then able to more fully enjoy their pregnancy.
Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunctions
Inability to control bladder or bowel function is a common and embarrassing condition for women, although men can also develop incontinence, especially following prostate surgery. Many women are unable to participate in certain physical activities or leave their homes for extended periods. They may wear garment protection both day and night. Incontinence can often be successfully treated without surgery through skilled physical therapy. Treatment may include pelvic muscle exercises, bladder training, biofeedback and electrical muscle stimulation.
Some people, rather than leaking, have a problem with retention. They are unable to empty the bladder or bowel well. This can happen for many reasons, but often can be musculoskeletal. The most important part of treatment will be for the therapist to evaluate how you use your muscles when you try to void, and to teach you new ways to use your muscles. Treatment may also include exercises, biofeedback, electrical muscle stimulation, and diet modification.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can hinder day-to-day activities. Pelvic pain can occur from a musculoskeletal problem, and often the pelvic muscles are too tight, or in “spasm”. Symptoms may include a heavy feeling in the pelvis, pain during intercourse, pain with touch or pressure on the outside vaginal area, bladder or abdomen pain, and possibly even pain in the low back, buttocks, and upper thighs. Muscle spasm can be treated in many ways, but the most effective treatment is a combination of exercise, deep muscle massage, electrical muscle stimulation, and teaching new habits for how you use your body. In many cases, pain can be decreased or eliminated with physical therapy.
Chronic Constipation
Chronic constipation is a common problem in men and women of all ages. If left untreated, the straining involved in emptying your bowels can lead to other problems, such as prolapse, weak or painful pelvic muscles, or urinary and stool leakage. Chronic constipation can happen for many reasons and often includes a musculoskeletal cause. To successfully empty your bowels, you must coordinate and correctly use your stomach muscles, respiratory muscles, and pelvic floor muscles.
The most important part of treatment will be for the therapist to evaluate how you use your muscles when you try to empty your bowels and teach you more effective ways to use your muscles. Treatment may also include positioning techniques, exercises, biofeedback, and discussion of dietary factors.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease causing loss of bone tissue resulting in fragile bones. Women, especially those who are post-menopausal are at risk for developing this disease. Our comprehensive osteoporosis program evaluates strength, posture, balance, and includes a personalized exercise program to help decrease the risk of fracture, prevent falls, and improve posture. Exercises also target the areas where fractures occur most often –the wrists, hips and spine.
"This is a great place. Everyone is knowledgeable and there to help you improve and get better. I haven't had a physical therapist who wasn't professional and caring. They have helped me improve. Working on getting even better."
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Comprehensive Men's Health Programs
Many of the pelvic floor-related problems described in our Women’s Health programs also affect men. Each physical therapy program is tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
A typical therapy program begins with an initial appointment to evaluate problems and set up a treatment plan. Treatments are usually scheduled once weekly for 6-12 weeks, with each treatment lasting 45-60 minutes. The program may include exercises, education and modalities (the use of therapy equipment). A short home exercise program is a recommended part of the treatment.
Referral from a physician is required for physical therapy services. Please contact your physician regarding a prescription. Physical therapy services are covered by most insurance programs. Women’s health services are offered at all of our clinic locations (Newark and Pickerington), as well as several satellite locations around Columbus, OH.
Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction
Though men have incontinence much less often than women, the experience is usually more difficult. Men are not accustomed to using garment protection, and leaking urine is very disturbing to most men. Men usually develop incontinence due to problems with the prostate gland. As men age, the prostate gets larger. This usually causes a problem “getting started” with urination, but can occasionally lead to incontinence. Urine leakage occurs most often with removal of the prostate, which happens commonly with cancer treatment. When the prostate is removed, men do not have as much pelvic floor muscle strength or as much ability to prevent urine loss. While physical therapy effectiveness depends on the amount of damage to the nerves and muscles, most men can regain a significant amount of function back, and in many cases full control.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can occur from a musculoskeletal problem. Most of the time when there is pain, the muscles are too tight, or in “spasm”. Pain can be felt in the pelvis, rectum, penis, bladder or abdomen; possibly even in the low back or upper thighs. Muscle spasm can be treated in many ways, but the most effective is a combination of exercise, deep muscle massage, electrical muscle stimulation and teaching new habits for how you use your body. In many cases pain can be decreased or eliminated with physical therapy.
Chronic Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a serious medical condition of infection in the prostate gland. This is usually treated with antibiotics, and most people do very well and have no more symptoms. In some men, however, this develops into a more chronic problem. The infection is gone but the pain remains. In many of these cases, pain and spasm develop in the pelvic floor muscles, and it feels like the infection has returned. If the doctor has determined that you do not have infection, but your pain remains, it may be a musculoskeletal problem, and physical therapy may help. Muscle spasm can be treated in many ways, but the most effective is a combination of exercise, deep muscle massage, electrical muscle stimulation, and biofeedback.
Chronic Constipation
Chronic constipation is a common problem in men and women of all ages. If left untreated, the straining involved in emptying your bowels can lead to other problems, such as prolapse, weak or painful pelvic muscles, or urinary and stool leakage. Chronic constipation can happen for many reasons and often includes a musculoskeletal cause. To successfully empty your bowels, you must coordinate and correctly use your stomach muscles, respiratory muscles, and pelvic floor muscles.
The most important part of treatment will be for the therapist to evaluate how you use your muscles when you try to empty your bowels and teach you more effective ways to use your muscles. Treatment may also include positioning techniques, exercises, biofeedback, and discussion of dietary factors.
"In my 4th engagement with Rehab Associates, once for back rehab, twice for shoulder (pre and post replacement surgery) and currently for post knee replacement surgery. I appreciate their knowledge, professionalism and dedication to patient improvement. Can’t wait to see the new facility."
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