Physiotherapy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Physical agents are underutilised in the management of reproductive disorders. Most obstetricians and gynaecologists are not familiar with the benefits of physical modalities in the armamentarium of the physiotherapists. The knowledge deficit often causes the late referral of patients for physiotherapy services. The delay accentuates the lingering debilitating symptoms of the disease and impedes the improvement of the impairments associated with reproductive disorders. This chapter presents the common conditions amenable to physical intervention. They include urinary and faecal incontinence, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease/salpingo-oophoritis, vestibulodynia, dyspareunia, persistent genital arousal disorder, post-mastectomy complications, pre-and postnatal musculoskeletal dysfunctions, postpartum depression, chronic lifestyle disorders, developmental/neurological disorders, and postoperative complications. Understanding this information will prompt patients’ timely referrals for physiotherapy and blunt the impact and progression of the disease process, which can ultimately reduce healthcare costs and duplicative use of services without compromising outcomes.