Having a complete pelvic health pathway is essential for women’s health. It is also crucial for reducing female urinary incontinence risk factors. The Fascia pathway is one way of addressing this. This article will explore how a complete pelvic health pathway works, how it impacts care-seeking, and how it can be implemented.
Fascia is a complete pelvic health pathway.
During pregnancy, the body puts a lot of pressure on the fascia. As a result, the fascia can become shortened or dehydrated, leading to muscle and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Fascia is a continuous system of connective tissue that runs throughout the body. It surrounds every bone, organ, and nerve. It provides an essential pathway for communication between the body’s systems.
The fascia is the primary protective structure around the reproductive organs. It also provides a “hammock” for the digestive system. In addition, it covers the entire pelvic cavity and surrounding muscles.
It comprises two parts: the visceral pelvic fascia and the parietal pelvic fascia. Both of these layers are present between the muscular and peritoneum layers of the lower abdominal wall. Visceral ligaments separate them. They form ridges that help to separate the vagina from the rectum.
The female pelvic floor offers support to the urogenital tract and bladder. It comprises a series of fibrous connective tissues that help the genital tract function and relax during childbirth.
Grainne Donnelly’s career path in pelvic health
Grainne Donnelly is a pelvic physical therapists. She has been awarded the Advanced Physiotherapist title and is the team leader of a pelvic health clinic in the NHS. She has also co-founded a non-profit cancer rehabilitation service in Northern Ireland.
Many health conditions affect the lumbopelvic region, and Grainne can help patients navigate the various options. She specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction, which can cause urinary incontinence. She has recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Continence Practice at the University of Bradford.
As a testament to her dedication, Grainne has just been asked to speak at the upcoming Perinatal Physical Activity Research Group (POGP) conference in Wales. She is a full member of POGP and an associate member of the Active Pregnancy Foundation clinical advisory board.
Grainne Donnelly is currently undertaking a research survey with Fit2B. She is also co-hosting the At Your Cervix podcast. She has also designed a pelvic health service called Spark Cancer Rehabilitation. SPARK offers free exercise and rehabilitation guidance to cancer survivors.
Female UI risk factors
Several risk factors for female UI include cigarette smoking, being overweight, and pregnancy. Besides these, the etiology of UI is multifactorial, including heredity, functional impairment, and urinary tract infections. In addition, menopause, delivery, and pelvic floor trauma are associated with persistent UI.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of UI and its associated risk factors. Participants were aged >20 years and underwent a complete clinical examination. In addition, they had a complete urine analysis and underwent a symptom assessment. The crude incidence rate was 19.6 per 1000 person-years among women >20 years and was significantly higher in rural than urban areas.
The standardized incidence rate of UI was 21.2 per 1000 person-years. The incidence of SUI was 13.1 per 1000 person-years, and the incidence of MUI was 5.1 per 1000 person-years. The highest incidence was in the age group of 60 to 69 years.
Impact on care-seeking
Among women worldwide, pelvic health conditions are common complaints. The burden of these health issues on the consumer and the broader health system is significant. However, many women who experience these symptoms do not seek medical help. This lack of access may contribute to poor health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of women with pelvic health problems waiting for specialist input.
This study used two tools to collect data. One was a sociodemographic interview schedule. The other was an interview guide with a wide variety of open-ended questions. The guide also included prompts for clarification and elaboration.
The primary author, a senior physiotherapist at the institution, did not have a previous relationship with the participants. She recruited the subjects from the outpatient clinics of three hospitals. The interviews took place over four months. The average interview time was about 20 to 30 minutes.
Challenges to pathway implementation
Various factors have been identified as barriers to implementing pelvic health pathways. These include, but are not limited to, infrastructure and education.
These challenges can be addressed by implementing standardized care pathways. These pathways help team members use their full scope of training and share decision-making with the patient. These standardized pathways help improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. These pathways have been shown to improve clinical quality, increase value, and optimize resource utilization.
These pathways are essential components of value-based health care. In addition, they may strengthen interprofessional collaboration and improve patient satisfaction.
A standardized care pathway can reduce hospital length of stay and promote better patient compliance. These pathways also promote value-based care and ensure evidence-based care.
A standardized care pathway consists of a document that describes the steps that should be taken to deliver structured multidisciplinary care. This document may incorporate various components, such as treatment options, culture, urine dip, etc. In addition to this, the pathway includes a document identification number.
Women’s Pelvic Health program available to customers of Hinge Health
Almost one in four women is affected by pelvic floor health disorders. These conditions are characterized by weakened or torn connective tissues that impact everyday physiological functions. However, many women do not receive treatment.
Hinge Health has introduced a new program to help treat and improve women’s health. The new program will be available to all customers of the company.
The Women’s Pelvic Health program is aimed at helping to expand the accessibility of pelvic floor physical therapy in underserved areas. Hinge Health’s comprehensive care team offers the program. This team includes a pelvic floor physical therapist and a health coach. They work together to help members overcome challenges and achieve goals.
The Hinge Health app allows members to connect with pelvic floor physical therapists. These therapists customize digital exercise programs to address specific issues and encourage members to make lifestyle changes.
