In 2020, all Americans have experienced challenges impacting their mental health manifested by feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. In particular, the CDC reports adult caregivers, young adults, and minorities report higher rates of mental and emotional health challenges due the current COVID pandemic. individuals experiencing these symptoms are strongly encouraged to follow up with...
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when there is a lack of support from the muscles or connective tissues around the bladder, rectum or uterus (if applicable). Symptoms can include: sensation of pelvic heaviness or pressure in the vagina or rectum, incomplete emptying of the bladder or rectum, and more outlined here. Risk factors for prolapse include:...
The wait and see approach is often utilized by primary care physicians in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. The underlying idea behind this approach is the improvement of symptoms over time, natural history, of these conditions. The error in this treatment method is the patient has already tried the wait and see approach, and a...
Dyspareunia or pain with intercourse is common after having a baby. An estimated 50% of women report pain with intercourse 3 months after delivery and 17% still report discomfort at 6 months postpartum (Buhling et al, 2006). More severe perineal injuries correlate with more persistent pain, however women who undergo a C-section delivery may also...
Pelvic floor muscle strengthening is a specific type of training program, targeted to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that are responsible for maintaining continence, providing support to internal organs, and are important for sexual function. People with low tone or weakness of their pelvic floor, who are...
The vast majority of patients to our Boulder Physical Therapy practice require strength training to either rehabilitate an injured tissue (muscle, bone, tendon) or improve their capacity to participate in the activities they enjoy. The longer I practice the more I respect the gains in mobility, strength, function, and patient independence found through lifting something...
It is estimated that between 1-10% of vaginal births result in 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears. To learn more about the different grades of perineal tears click here. Understanding the risk factors and possible techniques for prevention of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears, also known as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), is incredibly...
Spinal manipulation, dating at least to Hippocrates’ writings, is one of the oldest known medical treatments. Currently, these treatments are commonly performed by Physical Therapists, chiropractors, and physicians to treat a variety of musculoskeletal pains. Evidence supporting spinal manipulation is primarily found in three areas: headache, neck pain, and low back pain. This data supports...
A perineal tear is a tear in the skin or muscle between the vaginal opening and anus that commonly occurs during a vaginal delivery. It is estimated that 85% of women who give birth vaginally will experience a perineal tear to some degree (Smith et al. 2013). Just like other muscle tears in the body,...
After talking to many midwives and doulas around Boulder Country and listening to patients’ birth stories, it is clear to me that every labor and delivery is different. No two births are completely alike. While there are some aspects of labor and delivery that you cannot control, here is a list of things you can...