The Physical Therapist’s Guide to Women's Pelvic, Perinatal, and Reproductive Health

The Physical Therapist’s Guide to Women’s Pelvic, Perinatal, and Reproductive Health provides physical rehabilitation throughout the lifespan for women and focuses on pelvic, pregnancy, and reproductive conditions in women. This book combines scientific evidence and clinical experience to help inform practice. It includes the history and evolution of physical therapy in women's health to specific therapeutic practice. The first section provides foundations for the next sections. The second and third sections explore the role of physical therapy in pelvic health and in reproductive health. Each topic is written in an accessible manner with tables, is fully illustrated, and provides a comprehensive review. The Physical Therapist’s Guide to Women’s Pelvic, Perinatal, and Reproductive Health is key reading for physical therapists, midwives, obstetrician (OBs), medical doctors (MDs), birth workers, and allied health professionals.

Table of Contents:
Part One: Foundation for Physical Therapy Practice in Women’s Health 1. Women's and Pelvic Physical Therapy in the USA: Yesterday and Today 2. Female Anatomical, Physiologic, and Pathologic Considerations 3. Female Lifespan Considerations Part Two: Role of Physical Therapy in Pelvic Health 4. Female Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Examination 5. Female Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Treatment Part Three: Role of Physical Therapy in Reproductive Health 6. Breast Disorders and Conditions During the Reproductive Years 7. Physical Therapy Care in High-Risk Pregnancies, Diseases and Disorders 8. Physical Therapy Care During Labor 9. Physical Therapy Care During Birth 10. Physical Therapy and Postpartum Care 11. Physical Therapy Examination, Evaluation, & Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders 12. Developing a Women’s and Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Practice

About the Author :
Rebecca G. Stephenson is a clinical specialist in women’s and pelvic health physical therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital MGB at the Newton-Wellesley Ambulatory Care Center, medical writer and is a board-certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. From the Academy of Pelvic Heath of the American Physical Therapy Association she has a Certification of Achievement in Pelvic Health (CAPP-Pelvic), Certification in Childbirth Education. She is a past president and secretary of the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Pelvic and Women’s Health. She is an adjunct faculty member at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Dr. Stephenson has received many awards: the Lucy Blair Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Elizabeth Nobel Award from the Academy of Pelvic Health, and the Barbara Adams Fellow in the MGH Institute of Physical Therapy for leadership. Dr. Stephenson is on the faculty for the Academy of Pelvic Health of the American Physical Therapy Association. Rebecca founded, along with Tracy Spitznagle and Susan Clinton, the Global Women’s Health Initiative, a non-profit, GWHI.org. Darla B. Cathcart is Assistant Clinical Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education at Graceland University (Independence, MO) and is a board-certified Women’s Health Certified Specialist (WCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She has also earned from APTA Academy of Pelvic Health the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) and the Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy (CAPP-OB). Darla has served as the President (2024–2026), President-elect (2023–2024), Vice President (2015–2016), and Director of Education (2011–2014) for the Academy of Pelvic Health, American Physical Therapy Association. She serves as faculty for the Herman & Wallace Rehabilitation Institute in pelvic health, perinatal, and sexual health courses. Dr. Cathcart received several awards from the Academy of Pelvic Health: Instructor of the Year (2017); Course Site Hostess of the Year (2018); and Volunteer of the Year (2015). She also received Clinical Instructor of the Year while serving as a clinical instructor for a pelvic health physical therapy student from Elon University in 2011.