Women's Health Role & Benefits of physiotherapy Women's health physiotherapists work with women of all ages in the following areas: Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction in the childbearing year such as upper and lower back pain, pelvic joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches. Exercise prescription including muscle strengthening exercise for pregnancy and postnatal safe stretching, safe lifting and osteoporosis. Ergonomic advice. Childbirth preparation. Promotion of continence and treatment of incontinence (bladder and bowel - men and women) and pelvic floor dysfunction. Some also treat children with incontinence. Women's health physiotherapists may also have a special interest in lactation, breast feeding problems, lymphoedema management and stress management. Some also offer pre/post operative management of obstetric and uro/gynecological surgery. Further information Useful references in the area of women's health and physiotherapy include: Ostgaard HC, Zetherstrom G, Roos-hanson E and Suanberg B (1994): Reduction of back and posterior pelvic pain in pregnancy. Spine, Vol. 19. No. 8. BØ K and Talseth T (1996): Long-term effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise five years after cessation of organised training. Obstetrics and gynaecology, Vol. 8, No. 2. Finding a physiotherapist Would you like the names of physiotherapists who have a special interest in Women's Health?  This falls under the categories of women's health, continence and incontinence in our online search.  [Find a Physiotherapist online now!]. © By courtesy of the Australian Physiotherapy Association