All physical therapists are qualified through higher education, clinical experience, and licensure to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of symptoms and conditions. Many choose to focus their practice on a specific area or patient group and obtain advanced knowledge and experience in physical therapy specialty areas. Some attend residency programs, obtain board-certification, or go on to participate in fellowship programs. Learn more about these advanced learning pathways in physical therapy specialty areas.
Women's health physical therapy is an area that began as a specialty, focusing on the unique wellness and rehabilitation needs of women throughout their lifespan. The scope of practice for women's health physical therapy has grown to also include evaluation and treatment for the many abdominal and pelvic health concerns of children, female athletes, and men with pelvic health conditions.
Physical therapists who specialize in women's health physical therapy focus on providing care for people experiencing problems with:
- Pregnancy and postpartum, including balance problems that can lead to falls.
- Menopause.
- Muscle, bone, and joint problems, such as osteoporosis and fibromyalgia.
- Low back pain, sciatica, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
- Upper back pain.
- Bowel dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and constipation.
- Pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, such as organ prolapse, endometriosis, and cystitis.
- Sexual dysfunction, like dyspareunia and vaginismus.
- Post-surgical pelvic pain, including pain and dysfunction after prostate removal surgery.
- Other problems in women, including cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, cancer-related problems, autoimmune diseases, and neurologic conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease that can lead to falls.
The American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Women's Health changed its name to the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy to be more inclusive. The recognized specialty of women’s health (through residency education and board certification) remains the women’s health physical therapy specialty, as it is much broader than only pelvic health.
Looking for a physical therapist who focuses on or specializes in women's health physical therapy or pelvic health in men, women, or children? The American Physical Therapy Association offers Find a PT to help you search for a physical therapist near you with these and other credentials.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can see a physical therapist without a physician's referral for evaluation and treatment.*
Learn about board certification in women's health physical therapy.
*Insurance and corporate policies or state laws may still require a physician's referral or limit treatment scope and duration without a referral. Insurance policies also may limit you to in-network providers.
