The Section on Women's Health promotes and expands physical therapy's role in the field of women's health and wellness across the life span. It allows physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students sharing a common interest in the problems and concerns of women to meet, confer, and promote these interests. Among other services, the Section develops educational resources, and practice and education standards for addressing women's health issues. The section also provides training and fosters research.

• Section on Women's Health Bylaws

History of the Section on Women's Health

The Section on Women’s Health of the American Physical Therapy Association was formed in 1977 by Elizabeth Noble. Originally called the Section on Obstetrics and Gynecology, it was founded to serve as a resource for physical therapists interested in the healthcare of women before, during, and after pregnancy. The scope of practice has now increased to include all health concerns of women: incontinence, pelvic/ vaginal pain, prenatal and postpartum musculosketelal pain, osteoporosis, rehabilitation following breast surgery, lymphedema, education prevention, wellness and exercise. All females across the life span, from the young athlete, the childbearing woman, the menopausal and elderly woman receive benefit from physical therapy. The membership voted to change the name of the Section in 1995 to the Section on Women’s Health to mark the specialized education regarding women’s PT needs. Additionally, specialized Section members treat male incontinence.

Currently over 2,500 members utilize every facet of their physical therapy training to evaluate and treat the female client. The Section on Women’s Health is a resource for physical therapists treating females of all ages and health challenges. The Section offers continuing education training, two publications (Journal of the Section on Women’s Health and Highlights on Women’s Health Newsletter), mentoring, networking, regional and national meetings for its membership.

Our Vision

The Section on Women’s Health promotes and expands the physical therapist’s role in women’s health and wellness across the lifespan. We encourage physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students, who share a common interest in the problems and concerns of women, to collaborate and promote these interests.  The Section develops educational resources, training, practice and education standards and supports research addressing women’s health issues.