By Jovie Murtha, Women’s Health Physical Therapist
The human body is the most amazing, complex machine that exists in this universe. When one considers all the intricate processes that are occurring within our bodies, every second of every minute, it is wonderfully humbling.
As an example, think of our hormones. Consider the very tiny, very specific range in which they must remain in order to allow our bodies to function properly. Let’s consider just one gland, the thyroid. It weighs less than one ounce, yet it is responsible for the regulation of your metabolism. Every single cell in your body depends on this one small gland.
However, for the thyroid to work properly, multiple other organs have to be perfectly functioning as well. The thyroid is under the control of the pituitary gland, which is under the direct command of the hypothalamus. This constant feedback loop of communication is working to keep your body in tight control, constantly regulating and correcting. All of this happens without your volition or concentration. There are literally millions of these processes occurring every second. How mind blowing!
What does this have to do with physical therapy?
Let’s assume that someone comes in for therapy with the diagnosis of headaches. There are several things to consider. Headaches can be mechanical, which means they can be caused by a musculoskeletal issue. This could include misalignment of the cervical spine, tight muscles in the neck, faulty posture, poor sleep positions, disc problems, arthritis, or nerve/vessel impingement. They can also be chemical, or related to something the patient is absorbing, inhaling, or ingesting.
But, we would be remiss to overlook other possible contributors to these headaches. Could there be an underlying problem with their TMJ (jaw)? Could they be dehydrated or have an electrolyte imbalance? Did they start taking a new supplement or medication? This patient may have an undiagnosed food sensitivity that is creating inflammation. Maybe this individual started carrying a heavy purse on one shoulder, causing a muscle imbalance. An astute physical therapist will be in communication with your doctor and/or pharmacist to help you wade through these possibilities.
Therapists must consider the whole body, not just a single joint or muscle. If your “check engine” light appears on your dashboard, you don’t put a band-aid over the light and assume the problem is fixed. So it is with physical therapy (PT). We can’t just look at a patient with pelvic or back pain, do some electrical stimulation and a few exercises, and hope for the best. We need to be looking more deeply. Do they have any issues with their feet, knees, or hips that cause them to walk in a faulty manner? Do they sit at a desk with their legs crossed in the same direction, day after day? Do they have pain with intercourse? Do they have incontinence?
Patients who are seeking physical therapy should look for a therapist that is holistic in his or her treatment approach. Exercise, diet, and posture should be discussed on day one. You want a physical therapist that maintains contact with your doctor(s) to discuss issues such as your exercise prescription; medications and supplements, and how they may benefit or affect you; food or other sensitivities; gut issues; immune system function; and finding any underlying causes of inflammation in the body.
Therapists should also be considering other treatment approaches that may be incorporated to help each individual patient. There are multiple PT services that may help a particular patient, such as dry needling, ASTYM, foam rolling, Pilates, Pelvicore classes, or myofascial release. Many patients also use adjunct therapies outside of PT that accelerate their recovery, such as essential oils, acupuncture, or massage. They may choose to consult with a local compounding pharmacist in order to help identify and meet their nutritional needs.
There are so many amazing treatment options that may be used in an integrated approach to your good health! You are your own best advocate. Do your research, and live life to the fullest!
For more answers to your women’s health questions, read my article in Healthy Cells magazine next month! Physical therapy for women’s health issues is available at Accelerated Rehabilitation. Physical therapist Jovie Murtha is relentless in her mission to help women conquer pain and discomfort, so they can be more active. For more information contact jovie.murtha@acceleratedrehab.com or call, 309-683-6900.
Photo credit: aabejon/iStock, Stills/iStock