Posturology & women
Specific disorders affecting women
Specific musculature, cycles, pregnancies… The female body has particularities that may require specific attention from the practitioner.
The female body is subject to hormonal changes that have tissue and mechanical repercussions.
It is therefore common to see patients suffering from pudendal syndromes, pelvic-perineal pain, and other pelvis-related disorders.
Menstrual cycles
During menstrual cycles, menstrual pain can be associated with various symptoms, including low back pain (the medical term for pain in the lower back), which may or may not be accompanied by muscle stiffness.
The perineum is a complex of muscles that acts as a hammock for the small pelvic organs. During menstruation, perineal tension can occur in two different ways: one is due to mechanical pressure (associated with uterine contractions) and the other is due to poor posture.
These uterine contractions can increase pressure in the abdominal-pelvic cavity, forcing the organs and causing tension.
This tension can pull on the structures to which the perineum is attached, namely the pelvis and lower back, causing pain.
If the woman’s posture is not functional initially, the stresses exerted on the perineum can cause it and the organs attached to it to move.
For example, if the lumbar curve is very pronounced (lumbar hyperlordosis), the center of gravity may shift forward.
This imbalance can put pressure on the ligaments of the back and the bone structures to which they attach, particularly the pelvis, causing pain as a result.
Genital pain related to the position of the pelvis
Pelvic pain includes pain in the pelvic and perineal regions, the area between the pubic bone and the coccyx.
In women, perineal pain often occurs at the entrance to or inside the vagina, but it can also extend to the anus.
Pelvic pain and problems are usually caused by dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles, a group of muscles located at the bottom of the pelvis between the pubic bone and the coccyx.
Other factors may also be involved, such as ligament damage, difficult childbirth, certain lifestyle habits, and associated diseases.
Pregnancy and changes in the pregnant woman’s body
A woman’s body undergoes many changes during and after pregnancy.
These include
- Weight gain: during pregnancy, women gain varying amounts of weight to support the baby’s growth, the development of the placenta, and the accumulation of fat reserves.
- Expansion of the uterus, which dilates to accommodate the growth of the fetus, can lead to an increase in the size of the abdomen and a change in the shape of the belly, increasing lumbar hyperlordosis (curvature).
- Hormonal changes: Hormones play a key role during pregnancy. Levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone increase, which can affect the skin and tissues in general.
- Widening of the hips: Hormones promote the loosening of ligaments and joints, allowing the pelvic bones to widen to facilitate the passage of the baby during childbirth.
- Diastasis (abnormal separation of two anatomical elements, in this case muscles) of the rectus abdominis: After childbirth, some women may experience a separation of the abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti. This can lead to abdominal weakness and a change in the shape of the abdomen.
How can podiatry and posturology help?
In the case of cyclical or chronic pain as described above, the position of the pelvis can be adjusted over a period of time by wearing orthopedic insoles, which relaxes the muscle chains that are under too much strain and, as a result, cause pain.
With regard to pregnancy, most pain is related to intra-pelvic ligament tension. It is rare to correct posture during pregnancy. Between hormonal laxity and adaptive posture, measurements may be inaccurate or too variable for treatment with insoles.
However, after childbirth and in parallel with perineal rehabilitation and the resumption of activity, which may have been slowed down or even stopped for several months, podiatry and posturology can help relieve these various persistent symptoms. The goal is for the body to function as functionally as possible as these various bodily changes occur.
This may involve implementing different measures depending on the patient:
- Foot orthotics, also known as orthopedic insoles, which can help correct pelvic asymmetries, biomechanical imbalances, and foot support disorders (particularly excessive pronation or supination) that cause pelvic or lumbar pain… More details on the page Orthopedic insoles
- Exercises and stretches: in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, we can recommend specific exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles of the foot, ankle, and lower back, which can help improve posture and relieve tension in the pelvis and back.
- Footwear advice: depending on the shape of the foot, any hormone-related edema, changes in tissue trophicity and plantar musculature, advice on choosing appropriate footwear that provides adequate support, cushioning, and stability is offered.
It is important to note that podiatry cannot solve all posture problems and pain in the pelvis and back.
A multidisciplinary approach involving other health professionals, such as gynecologists, midwives, physical therapists, and osteopaths, may be necessary for comprehensive treatment.
A postural assessment allows for personalized evaluation and recommendations based on your specific needs.