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Best Physiotherapy for PCOS In Delhi NCR.

Physiotherapy for PCOS at Arunalaya
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Role of Physiotherapy in PCOS

A type of muscle stiffness characterized by a constant resistance to passive movement throughout the entire range of motion, regardless of the speed of movement. It is often described as “lead pipe” (smooth, sustained resistance) or “cogwheel” (jerky, ratchety resistance). Unlike spasticity, it is not velocity-dependent and affects both agonist and antagonist muscles equally.

Causes of PCOS
  • Insulin Resistance: This is a key factor in many women with PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood for energy. In insulin resistance, the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, so the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate. High levels of insulin are thought to increase androgen (male hormone) production by the ovaries.
  • High Androgen Levels: Androgens are male hormones that women normally produce in small amounts. In PCOS, the ovaries produce higher-than-normal levels of androgens. This excess of male hormones contributes to many of the common symptoms like excess body hair, acne, and male-pattern baldness.
  • Genetics: PCOS tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. While no single gene has been identified, several genes may be involved.
  • Inflammation: Some research suggests that women with PCOS have low-grade chronic inflammation, which may stimulate the polycystic ovaries to produce more androgens.
  • Obesity: Being overweight or obese can worsen insulin resistance and increase insulin levels, thereby exacerbating PCOS symptoms. However, PCOS can affect women of any weight.
Symptoms of PCOS

Symptoms of PCOS often begin around the time of the first menstrual period (puberty), but they can also develop later in life. The severity and type of symptoms can vary greatly among individuals. To be diagnosed with PCOS, a woman typically needs to have at least two of the following three criteria:

  • Irregular Periods (Ovulatory Dysfunction):
    • Oligomenorrhea: Infrequent periods (fewer than 8-9 periods per year).
    • Amenorrhea: Absence of periods.
    • Heavy or prolonged periods: When periods do occur, they may be heavier or last longer than usual due to the prolonged buildup of the uterine lining.
    • This irregularity occurs because the ovaries do not consistently release an egg each month (anovulation or oligo-ovulation). This is also a common cause of infertility in women with PCOS.
  • Excess Androgen :
    • Hirsutism: Excessive hair growth in a male pattern, such as on the face (upper lip, chin), chest, back, abdomen, or inner thighs. This affects up to 70% of women with PCOS.
    • Severe Acne: Persistent and often severe acne, particularly on the face, chest, and upper back.
    • Androgenic Alopecia (Male-Pattern Baldness): Thinning hair on the scalp or hair loss.
  • Polycystic Ovaries (on Ultrasound):
    • Enlarged ovaries containing many small follicles (often 12 or more per ovary) that look like “cysts” on an ultrasound. These are underdeveloped sacs that contain immature eggs but often fail to release them.
Role of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy plays a crucial and supportive role in the comprehensive management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). While PCOS is a complex hormonal disorder primarily managed by endocrinologists, dietitians, and gynaecologists, physiotherapy addresses many of its physical symptoms and helps improve overall health and quality of life.

Aims of Physiotherapy in PCOS:-

  • Improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
  • Aid in weight management.
  • Reduce musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.
  • Improve posture and body mechanics.
  • Address pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • Enhance mental well-being (stress, anxiety, depression).
  • Promote overall physical fitness and energy levels.
Advanced Physiotherapy
  • Aerobic Exercise: Regular moderate-intensity activities (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, swimming) to improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and support weight loss.
  • Resistance Training: Strength training with weights or bodyweight exercises to build muscle mass, which significantly improves metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This includes compound movements targeting large muscle groups.
  • High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): For suitable individuals, short bursts of intense exercise followed by recovery periods, shown to be effective in improving metabolic parameters and hormonal regulation.
  • Flexibility and Mobility: Stretching and mobility exercises (e.g., yoga, Pilates) to improve joint range of motion, reduce stiffness, and alleviate musculoskeletal pain.
  • Weight Management Support:
    • Personalized Exercise Prescription: Creating safe and effective routines that consider individual fitness levels, symptoms, and energy levels, promoting sustainable activity habits.
    • Energy Expenditure Monitoring: Educating on caloric expenditure through exercise to complement dietary changes for weight loss.
  • Pelvic Health Physiotherapy:
    • Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: For women experiencing pelvic pain, bladder control issues, or discomfort related to hormonal imbalances or altered posture. Pelvic health physios can assess and provide exercises to strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles.
    • Addressing Pelvic Pain: Techniques to release muscle tightness, improve circulation, and manage chronic pelvic pain often linked to PCOS (e.g., manual therapy, dry needling, specific stretching).
  • Musculoskeletal Pain & Postural Correction:
    • Joint Pain: Addressing chronic low-grade inflammation and pain in weight-bearing joints (knees, hips, lower back) through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and pain management strategies.
    • Postural Re-education: Correcting poor posture that may arise from weight gain or muscle imbalances, to reduce strain and improve body mechanics.
  • Stress Management & Mental Well-being:
    • Mind-Body Exercises: Incorporating yoga, Pilates, and guided relaxation techniques to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression often associated with PCOS.
    • Breathing Exercises: Teaching diaphragmatic breathing and other calming breathing techniques to regulate the nervous system.
    • Sleep Cycle: Advice on improving sleep patterns, which can impact hormonal balance.

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