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.
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.
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