WOMENS HEALTH FACTSHEETS

Women can commonly experience carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) throughout pregnancy and also in the postnatal period. CTS occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve which travels through the carpal tunnel located on the underside of your wrist.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (DTS) occurs when two tendons at the base of thumb – Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) & Extensor Pollicis Brevis (EPB) become inflamed & swollen. These tendons are responsible for thumb abduction (taking thumb away from the index finger) & extension (lifting thumb up & out).

Mastitis occurs when breast tissue becomes inflamed usually as a result of blocked milk ducts. Mastitis can be infective in nature (full body fevers/chills) or non-infective. Symptoms range from reddened, hard, hot or shiny area on the breast, marked tenderness or pain and/or full body fevers, chills, aches & pains.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) occurs when the joints within the pelvic girdle – sacroiliac joints (SIJ) & pubic symphysis joint (PSJ) become inflamed & sore. The SIJ are the dimple joints at the bottom of the spine where the left & right pelvic bone connect with the sacrum (triangle bone at the bottom of the spine).

To ensure a speedy recovery & optimise results, we highly recommend seeing your physiotherapist from 2 weeks post delivery. However, if you have concerns soon after  baby is born. You can see your physiotherapist before the 2 week mark to have these concerns addressed & commence rehab early.

Endometriosis is a female specific condition where cells similar to those that line the uterus (endometrial cells or endometrium), grow outside of the uterus in other parts of the body. In some women (not all) this can cause significant abdominal and pelvic pain, most often related to the menstrual cycle.

VULVODYNIA means painful vulva. There can be pain in specific areas of the vulva or diffuse vulvar pain. A GP &/or specialist will help rule out other causes for vulvar pain (eg skin conditions; vaginal infections; sexually transmitted infections; factors associated with childbirth & vaginal delivery).