Women have complex health needs — physically and emotionally.
Therapists with Northside Hospital Rehabilitation Services offer their advice on Wednesday, Sept. 25, National Women's Health and Fitness Day.
- Don’t forget self-care, said Kellie Dushner, a doctor of physical therapy, who said she employs an “empathetic approach” in treatment strategies for her female patients. “I wish more women understood how important self-care is for their physical and mental well-being and how easily a physical therapy session can be adapted to fit into a busy schedule,” she said.
- Women should be advocates for their health, Katie Harrison, DPT, said — especially after childbirth. “I wish women knew that many pelvic floor issues are treatable with physical therapy and in many cases easily resolved.”
- It’s important to treat the whole person, and not just the injury, Virginia Hogan, DPT, said. Hogan said that’s especially true for female patients because they’re at higher risk for certain conditions and injuries including ACL tears, stress factors and osteoporosis. “I wish more women knew this and the intervention strategies they could implement to proactively reduce the risk for these conditions and injuries,” she said.
- Latha Balakrishnan, OTR/L, said she listens to women’s concerns and places them in the context of their life and family situation. “I wish more women understood the role that hormones play on their overall health and affect the musculoskeletal system,” she said.
- Physical therapist Lucia Quintal urges women to keep moving. “I wish more women knew how the simple act of having and tracking a daily step goal can make such a difference in the quality of their life regardless of their age group,” Quintal said.
Balakrishnan, Dushner, Harrison, Hogan and Quintal practice at Northside Hospital Forsyth Outpatient Rehabilitation Services in Cumming.
Learn more about rehabilitation services at Northside.
