This issue of the Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy showcases groundbreaking research across diverse pelvic health populations, with a particular emphasis on athletes and innovative treatment approaches. The issue features six compelling studies that push the boundaries of pelvic health physical therapy practice. Researchers present pioneering findings on pelvic floor disorders in individuals with lower limb amputation, revealing that a staggering 98% of respondents reported some level of distress from pelvic floor dysfunction—a previously understudied population that also demonstrated high rates of low back pain and falls. For athletes, two significant studies examine pelvic health concerns: one evaluating the reliability of the Pelvic Athletic Performance Assessment (PAPA) screening tool to identify athletes at risk for pelvic floor dysfunction, and another surveying female collegiate athletes that revealed limited knowledge of pelvic health issues coupled with a concerning association between pelvic floor disorders and anxiety. The issue also explores innovative treatment delivery methods, including a hybrid telehealth model incorporating respiratory muscle training and breath education that showed improved outcomes for individuals with chronic constipation compared to traditional in-person therapy. New mothers will benefit from two comprehensive reviews: one examining the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain management following Cesarean delivery (showing significant pain reduction though unclear effects on opioid use), and another addressing the critical question of when to safely return to running postpartum—concluding that due to limited original research, clinicians should adopt an individualized approach to assessing readiness rather than following rigid timelines.
Alumni News
A Manual Therapy and Education for Physical Therapy Management of Male Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.
