Women’s pain is common…but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.
Women’s pain is often dismissed or underestimated by doctors, meaning you might put up with pain for far longer than you need to.
Throughout your life, aches and pains will come and go. However, sometimes those niggles come, but never seem to go. Instead, they slowly get worse, no matter how much you ignore them or try to mask them with paracetamol. Your body will change a great deal over time, and this can impact your pain. From pregnancy, to breastfeeding, to menopause, your hormones and changing shape will impact your muscles and your body, causing pain.
Many of the women who visit our Physiotherapy clinics in Sheffield tell us they feel as though their GP has ignored or dismissed their pain. They may feel embarrassed or ashamed, or start to believe their pain is ‘all in their head’.
But, we at Thrive Physiotherapy know better. And the good news is that you do not need to live with pain! With the right understanding and treatment, you can overcome your pain and move fearlessly once again.
What causes women’s pain?
Women’s pain can be caused by a myriad of factors. Pain is very rarely tissue damage. In fact, more often than not, it is a sign some muscles are working harder than others.
For example; if you suffer from pelvic pain, this could be due to your pelvic floor muscle working harder than it should. This can be caused by hormone changes, heavy lifting, poor posture and even breathing through your mouth. Back pain may be due to heavy breasts, an ill-fitting bra or muscle strain from not lifting correctly.
Often, women’s pain is seen as something we simply need to accept and live with. GPs may tell you that pain is ‘normal’ if you’ve had a baby or are going through the Menopause.
But, at Thrive Physiotherapy, we know this isn’t the case. When we treat clients in our Sheffield-based clinics, we’ll take time to explain the reasons behind your aches and pains. This will help you better understand your body and, in turn, how to prevent the pain from occurring again. Our aim is to make sure your pain never returns again!
With this detailed understanding of your body and pain journey, we’ll begin by pinpointing the reason behind the pain. Then, we can provide you with a tailored treatment and a detailed therapy plan that addresses your needs and helps you get back to doing what you love. Your physiotherapy programme will help treat your pain through manual therapy, exercise, stretches and advice.
How is women’s pain treated?
Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for pain. But it’s definitely worth opting for a Physio that specialises in women’s health, if possible. The reason for this is that many conditions that are unique to women may be overlooked if the therapist or physician does not have a deep understanding of women’s health and possible issues.
For example, a women’s specialist will assess a woman’s age, lifestyle, history and concurrent symptoms to identify and treat their pain. They should also assess the role and functioning of the pelvic floor as this may be contributing to, or even causing, the pain.
What if my pain is dismissed?
If you feel you’re not being listened to, supported or treated with respect and empathy, try to find a different GP, specialist or Physiotherapist. Women’s pain is just as valid as any other medical condition – YOU ARE NOT IMAGINING YOUR PAIN!
At Thrive Physiotherapy in Sheffield, we offer a safe, inclusive and empathetic environment for women. We want all women to feel empowered to advocate for themselves and know that they deserve to be listened to and supported.
Women’s pain is real, it’s important and it’s treatable.
Physiotherapy for pain
At Thrive, we take a holistic approach to your aches and pains. We’ll provide physiotherapy that targets the site of pain and the underlying causes of it too.
You do NOT need to live with your pain. Let Thrive help you to get moving fearlessly once more. We offer Physiotherapy for women in a safe and inclusive environment. You’ll be listened to and understood by an experienced and empathetic physiotherapist in Sheffield.
Ready to tackle your pain? Email us at hello@thrive-physiotherapy.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you!