The role of Physical Therapy in pelvic health

Abstract

Physical Therapy in Women's Health is a specialty recognized for 13 years by the Conselho Federal de Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional ("Federal Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy" -COFFITO) Resolution No. 372/2009 1 , which determined its fundamental role for care during women's life stages, beginning in childhood and adolescence, through pregnancy, labor, puerperium, and, finally, following the aging process 2 . Women's care is necessary because of the hormonal, social, physical, and emotional changes they go through over the years. The physical therapist is a health professional qualified to meet the specific demands of these women in each of these stages.COFFITO'S Resolution No. 401, dated August 18 th , 2011 2 , regulated the professional specialty of Physical Therapy in Women's Health by defining five areas of practice: physical therapy assistance in Urogynecology and Coloproctology; Gynecology; Obstetrics; Female Sexual Dysfunctions; and Mastology. Within these areas, the physical therapist can perform different roles, such as management, coordination, supervision, teaching, research, care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, homes, philanthropic services, third sector, and military services, for example.International guidelines recognize the role of the physical therapist as essential to the rehabilitation of pelvic dysfunctions, such as urinary, coloproctological, and sexual dysfunctions. For urinary incontinence (UI), for example, the International Continence Society recommends conservative treatment, which includes physical therapy techniques such as pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), electrostimulation, and behavior therapy as the first line of treatment, and should be indicated by physicians for women of all ages (pregnant, postpartum, and older adults) with any type of UI 3,4 .Regarding sexuality, Physical Therapy has developed a lot, but it still faces challenges in dealing with the difficulties of a topic that, culturally, is permeated by taboos and prejudice.