GREAT NORTHERN PHYSICAL THERAPY P: 406-586-4678

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Hysterectomies are the second most frequently performed surgical procedure (after cesarean section) for U.S. women who are of reproductive age, and by the age of 60, more than one-third of all women in the US have had a hysterectomy. Over 600,000 women annually elect for this procedure. That is a large number of women having major abdominal and pelvic surgery! 

Avoid Unnecessary Streneous Activity

Following a hysterectomy, the recommendation is no strenuous activity, no lifting over 10 pounds, and “pelvic floor rest” (no sex or penetration) for 6 weeks. These guidelines are meant to allow the surgical tissues time to heal, and to limit the strain on the pelvic floor muscles, which could irritate or tear sutures. They also allow for the woman to rest, recover from a major abdominal surgery, and gently ease back into normal activity following those 6 weeks. 

Visit Your Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

One recommendation that is often missing, is a pre- or post-op visit with a pelvic floor physical therapist. It is common for women in need of a hysterectomy to have symptoms such as pain, lower abdominal pressure, prolapse, or incontinence. These are common complaints, but they are not normal. Pelvic floor physical therapy can address all of these concerns. 

There is considerable pelvic irritation and inflammation following a hysterectomy. This can affect the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) ability to produce significant force with contraction, or to fully relax after a contraction. It can also cause the PFMs to tighten, and guard the area, in an attempt to protect the injured tissues.

Even after the body has healed from the surgical procedure, it is not uncommon for the PFM to continue to have these dysfunctions, which can have long term effects for the woman, often presenting as pelvic pain or incontinence years later. As with any injury, early intervention often results in shorter recovery time and fewer altered behaviors or compensatory movement patterns. A pelvic floor PT can identify dysfunctions in the PFMs and prescribe appropriate exercises and provide treatment for these dysfunctions. 

Post-Surgery Recovery

Immediately following surgery, it is common for women to have GI irritation or constipation. This is likely a result of the perfect storm: anesthesia and decreased activity level of the patient resulting in decreased GI motility, pain meds causing constipation, air and inflammation in the abdomen. Regardless of why, it can be one of the most difficult post operative symptoms. Proper toileting techniques can make the early post-operative weeks much more manageable.

Traditional toilet seats place our knees at or below hip level, which is not the most effective posture for voiding the bladder, or emptying the bowel. Using a “squatty potty” or step stool, placing the knees above the hips, and relaxing forward with forearms on thighs, allows the pelvic floor muscles to relax, and places the rectum in a better alignment for passing stool. 


Proper sitting posture for a relaxed pelvic floor.

Proper sitting posture for a relaxed pelvic floor.

As a pelvic floor physical therapist, and a post hysterectomy patient, I see the need for better pre and post hysterectomy care. A one time pre-op visit, with additional visits as necessary following the 6 week post-op check with your Doctor, is an excellent way to accomplish that goal. 



CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO

  • Kara Neil, Physical Therapist at Great Northern PT

  • 406.586.4678

Keeping Young Athletes Safe

Sep 18, 2025

Keep Young Athletes Safe: Your Guide to Preventing Sports Injuries

School is back in session, and so are fall sports! Whether your child plays soccer, football, volleyball, or is running cross country, keeping them injury-free should be your top priority. The good news? Most youth sports injuries can be prevented with the right approach.

Start with Smart Conditioning
Conditioning is the foundation of injury prevention. Young athletes should begin training at least 4-6 weeks before their sport starts. This gives their bodies time to adapt slowly.

Start with the basics like jogging, jumping jacks, and bodyweight squats. Add sport-specific drills gradually. A soccer player might begin with light ball work, while a runner starts with short, easy distances. The key word here is “gradually” – adding too much too soon leads to injuries.

The Power of a Proper Warm-Up
Never skip the warm-up! A good warm-up is like starting your car on a cold morning. It gets everything moving smoothly. Spend 10 – 15 minutes doing light cardio and dynamic stretches. Think leg swings, arm circles, and gentle lunges. Save static stretching (where you hold the stretch) for after practice.

Recovery is Not Optional
Here’s what many parents don’t realize: rest days are as important as training days. During rest, muscles repair and grow. Young athletes need at least one full rest day per week. They also need 8-9 hours of sleep each night.

Watch for signs your child needs more rest. Are they more tired than usual? Getting sick often? Complaining of aches and pains? These are red flags that they’re overdoing it.

Fuel the Machine
Good nutrition powers performance and prevents injuries. Make sure your young athlete eats regular meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Don’t forget hydration! Water should be their go-to drink, save the sports drinks for when they’re exercising for over an hour.

Listen to Their Body
Teach your child that pain is not normal. The old saying “no pain, no gain” is dangerous for young athletes. Some muscle soreness after hard workouts is normal, but sharp pain or pain that doesn’t go away needs attention. Help your young athlete learn to pay attention to their body, and to understand the difference.

When to See a Professional
If your child has pain that lasts more than a few days, affects their daily activities, or keeps them from playing their best, it’s time to see your physical therapist. Early treatment prevents small problems from becoming big ones.

Remember, the goal is to keep sports fun while building lifelong healthy habits. With proper preparation and smart training, your young athlete can have a safe and successful season!

NEURO PT

Nov 19, 2024

A cornerstone to treating the whole person in physical therapy is providing patient-
centered care. This is true for all forms of physical therapy, and perhaps more profound
when applied to those who’ve experienced a neurologic injury or disease. But
regardless of your reasons for seeking physical therapy services, we all want to be
seen, understood, and valued in our care.
Patient-centered care relates to understanding and honoring your unique situation and
goals. We value shared decision-making between yourself and your physical therapist,
and ensure that your physical therapy is tailored to align with your goals. We strive to
have a strong therapeutic-alliance with our patients, establishing an effective working
relationship and empowering our patients to become active participants in their care,
leading to more meaningful outcomes.
Our approach to understanding your unique situation and goals includes the use of a
biopsychosocial model of care. This model emphasizes the interconnectedness of our
biological, psychological, and socio-environmental factors in our lives. When this model
is applied to physical therapy care, we work to understand, assess, and intervene in
varied domains of your health to improve your overall well-being and to achieve your
goals.
In neurologic physical therapy, we may look at a variety of aspects of your health to
better understand how we can work together to reach your goals. This may include
assessing and treating one or more of the following:
– Physical limitations; including strength, range of motion, neural dynamics, joint
integrity, and biomechanics.
– Motor control; including our bodies ability to utilize and integrate multiple systems
to produce a movement or complete a task.
– Sensory systems; including vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile and visual systems
that impact our ability to use our bodies effectively.
– Autonomic nervous system; including the regulation of our internal processes to
help improve your functional abilities.
– Lifestyle; including understanding your sleep, nutrition, stress, and substance use
as it relates to your health and function.
– Psychosocial; understanding your self-efficacy, or confidence, in your condition
and abilities, how behavioral health may affect your physical health and function,
and your needs for autonomy and motivation in your care.

If you’d like to learn more about neurologic physical therapy and how it may be of
benefit to you in your journey, please contact us at Great Northern PT!
Phone: (406) 586-4678
Email: rita@greatnorthernpt.com

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