🌸 Navigating Musculoskeletal & Pelvic Floor Changes During & After Menopause 🌸
As women transition through menopause, hormonal changes can significantly affect musculoskeletal health as well as the pelvic floor, impacting strength, mobility, and overall quality of life. As an evidence-based physiotherapist, I’m passionate about supporting women through this journey by offering tailored interventions that can help manage these changes and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
During and after menopause, women may experience:
Bone Density Loss: The decline in estrogen accelerates bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Joint Pain & Stiffness: Hormonal fluctuations can cause joint discomfort and stiffness, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and lower back.
Muscle Weakness: Reduced hormone levels affect muscle mass and strength, contributing to reduced physical function and balance issues.
Pelvic Floor Changes: The pelvic floor muscles may weaken due to hormonal changes, leading to concerns like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or discomfort during activities.
How can physiotherapy help?
🌿 Strength & Weight-Bearing Exercises: Resistance and weight-bearing exercises can maintain bone density, muscle mass, and strength, reducing the risk of fractures and improving overall physical function.
🌿 Joint Mobility & Flexibility: Stretching and mobility exercises help reduce joint stiffness, alleviate pain, and improve function, making daily activities easier.
🌿 Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Targeted pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels) help strengthen these critical muscles, addressing incontinence and preventing prolapse. Physiotherapy can also provide guidance on posture and breathing techniques that reduce pressure on the pelvic floor during activities.
🌿 Postural & Balance Training: Improving posture and balance reduces the risk of falls and enhances confidence, enabling women to stay active and independent.
Menopause is a natural transition, but its impact on your body doesn’t have to limit your lifestyle. With the right physiotherapy approach, women can strengthen their musculoskeletal system and pelvic floor, maintaining mobility, comfort, and confidence through these changes. 🌟
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