Women’s Health Physical Therapy - «M.A.M.A.»
The goal of the Women’s Health Physical Therapy program M.A.M.A. (the Principles of Motherly Hugs, 2003) is to promote and expand the role of Physical Therapy in woman’s health across the lifespan, in Greece. The Physical Therapy program “M.A.M.A” follows the international guidelines of the “International Organization of Physical Therapy in Women's Health” (www.ioptwh.wcpt.org), a subgroup of the “World Confederation for Physical Therapy” (www.wcpt.org).
It provides education, prevention and rehabilitation for the following cases:
- Pre / Postnatal Care
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Gynecological / Obstetrical Surgery
- Breast surgery
- Osteoporosis
1a.Prenatal Care
- Musculoskeletal dysfunction: Rehabilitation and treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction due to postural changes or due to aggravation of previous orthopedic problems during and after pregnancy (upper and lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain)
- Pelvic Floor - Incontinence: Prevention and strengthening of the Pelvic Floor muscles
- Exercise during pregnancy: Special designed programs for the first, second and third trimester, adjusted at the personal needs of each pregnant woman.
Posture, Abdominal Diastasis Recti , Pelvic Floor Muscle Training.
1b.Postnatal Care
- Incontinence: Strengthening of the Pelvic Floor muscles (Kegel’s)
- Pelvic Floor weakness: Pelvic Floor Strengthening
- Prolapse: Pelvic Floor Strengthening
- Sexual dysfunction - Perineum Pain: Episiotomy rehabilitation, Vulvodynia, Dyspareunia
- Abdominal Diastasis: Therapeutic exercise program to "close the abdominal gap". Exercise Dos & Don’ts for distasis recti
- Exercise immediately after pregnancy: Special designed programs according to the type of delivery (natural birth or c-section). Postural re-education, Pelvic Floor exercises, decrease of the Abdominal Diastasis, and basic mother and baby ergonomics
- Pelvic Pain: Relaxation techniques and advanced manual therapy for the pelvic floor
2. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Lower urinary tract dysfunction: Incontinence, overactive bladder
- Lower bowel dysfunction: Anal and feacal incontinence (solid, liquid, flatus), constipation/difficult defecation
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse:
- Anterior vaginal wall prolapse: bladder (cystocoele, urethrocele)
- Apical: uterine/cervical prolapsed (cervix, uterus)
- Apical: vaginal vault, cuff (after hysterectomy)
- Posterior vaginal wall prolapse: rectal wall (rectocele)
- High posterior/apical: enterocele (small bowel loops)
- Pelvic Pain: Vulvodynia, dyspareunia, bladder pain
- Sexual Dysfunction: Dyspareunia, vaginismus, obstracted intercourse, vaginal laxity, vaginal wind
3. Gynecological / Obstetrical Surgery
- Preoperative: Prevention of respiratory and circulatory complications, facilitation of mobilization, education about back care and ergonomics and abdominal muscle strengthening
- Post operative: Emphasis on respiratory and circulatory function, pelvic floor and abdominal strengthening, posture and ergonomics
4. Breast surgery
- Therapeutic exercise program: Prevention and rehabilitation of the same side shoulder and neck range of motion
- Lymph Drainage management: Education, prevention and rehabilitation of the Lymphoedema
5. Osteoporosis
- Appropriate exercise education
- Ergonomics
- Therapeutic exercise program
- Pain management
