Physiotherapy in infertility, or fertility rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy is not only a help after an injury or operation related to the musculoskeletal system, it is also an effective way of eliminating many ailments that we do not intuitively associate with physiotherapy. A physiotherapist from the Invimed clinic in Gdynia, told us about the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of infertility, good breathing and fertility-supporting massage.
Is it worth using a physiotherapist for infertility treatment? Yes, and in many cases it is even recommended. It is worth thinking of physiotherapy in infertility treatment as fertility rehabilitation. It is one of the ways to recover and support infertility treatment with in vitro fertilisation methods. Physiotherapy, acupuncture, psychotherapy and other methods that we find in the offer of Invimed infertility treatment clinics are complementary to each other. The human organism should be considered as a complex of characteristics that coexist and interact with each other. When viewed in this way, it is much more complex and intricate than we think. A holistic view of the human being seems to be the only sensible one when treating infertility.
And what aspect of this holistic view do you deal with? I have been working with the human body and mind since 2008. I am committed to changing people's way of thinking, their daily habits and routines, to help maintain health and physio-psychological balance. I do therapy, I do not judge, I only help. In the treatment I offer, I combine methods and elements such as massage, biomassage, physiotherapy, physiology, acupuncture, as well as Eastern and Western therapeutic techniques. In order for such a therapy to be effective and for my work to be effective, the entire human body must be involved. Only such a holistic therapy, which includes the treatment of the body but does not ignore the mind, in which, after all, what is happening inside us is reflected, is likely to give positive results.
What types of pain can physiotherapy help to manage? It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally because each person is a "set of different disorders". Everything is selected individually, there is no blueprint. The fight against pain requires a comprehensive approach. From a physiotherapy point of view, it involves exploring different methods and selecting the right technique for the patient. Sometimes just the right breathing technique can bring relief.
Good breathing is so powerful? I admit that breathing is a river topic and it is the basis of a healthy lifestyle. Breathing affects everything, every system, every cell in the body, and we have 8 trillion of them after all. Without oxygen there is no life, however, the triviality of breathing causes people to downplay breath work. They think of it as a triviality that requires no training. Our mental and physical health largely depends on the quality of oxygen flow in the body. Since the brain needs a lot of oxygen to function optimally, how we breathe has a huge impact on our health.
Why does proper breathing help with infertility treatment? Infertility is a disorder that involves many difficult experiences. A woman who is trying for a child is put under a lot of pressure. Her muscles are tense under stress and this blocks the diaphragm. A blocked diaphragm means less oxygen throughout the body and poorer functioning. Therefore, on a physical level, deep breathing is very important. It expands the lungs in a way that allows more oxygen to circulate throughout the body. Pelvic floor physiotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of infertility. Women trying to have a baby find it most difficult to activate the pelvic floor muscles with exhalation. Very many people connect the tension of the pelvic muscles with inhalation or with holding their breath. Changing this mechanism requires work.
How do I help myself to breathe properly? I always ask the patient after training the pelvic floor muscles to actively relax them by directing the breath deep into the body. When doing fast contractions of the pelvic floor muscles, we can additionally help ourselves with various noises to make sure they are done on the exhalation e.g. 'ping', 'pong'. As usual, every rule must have exceptions, in our case it will be a sigh - in which case we relax the pelvic floor muscles on exhalation, and breathing through a straw - in which case the pelvic floor muscles tighten on inhalation. When prolonged pelvic floor tension is done, the breathing should be free. And importantly - you cannot hold your breath during exercise.
Fertility-enhancing physiotherapy is mainly aimed at people trying to have a baby. How can massages help them? Physiotherapy reduces stress, but also supports the treatment of serious conditions such as endometriosis, blocked or obstructed fallopian tubes, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome, withheld or absent ovulation, and infertility of unknown origin (idiopathic infertility).
What kind of massage is worth going for to support your fertility? Any properly performed massage supports pregnancy as it relaxes and strengthens the body. In the case of prolonged efforts to have a baby, a deep-tissue massage will be most suitable, helping to break down post-inflammatory adhesions around the fallopian tubes in the woman, and the vas deferens in the man. The objectives of a pro-fertility massage are also to detoxify the body from toxins, increase hormonal balance and improve the function of the internal organs. Such a massage is carried out at a calm, balanced pace. Here, each movement of the masseuse or masseur creates a deep impact, increases the blood circulation to the massaged area and helps to relax.
Can anyone else benefit from such physiotherapy? Fertility support physiotherapy is also physiotherapy for sexual dysfunctions. Motivation for such physiotherapy can be pain during intercourse caused, for example, by vaginismus. Indications for such physiotherapy can also be painful, irregular menstruation or even scarring after childbirth. Fertility physiotherapy is also recommended for people who want to improve the quality of their sex life and deepen their body awareness.
