Physiotherapy & Fertility Massage
In the journey towards parenthood, many couples face challenges that can hinder their dreams of starting a family. Infertility, unfortunately, is a common issue that affects millions of individuals. While there are various medical treatments available, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), physiotherapy has emerged as a promising complementary approach to support fertility.
Physiotherapy: A Holistic Approach to Fertility
How does physiotherapy relate to fertility?
Fertility can be influenced by several factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, pelvic dysfunction, scar formation and poor blood circulation. Physiotherapy aims to address these underlying issues by improving blood flow, reducing tension, and enhancing mobility and function of ligaments, muscles, osseous structures, fascia and nerves thus balancing the overall biomechanics of the entire abdominopelvic region. Physiotherapy can create a more conducive environment for conception.
However, it is essential to consult with a qualified physiotherapist educated in fertility to determine the most appropriate approach for individual cases.
Benefits of Physiotherapy for Fertility
1. Stress reduction
Stress can significantly impact fertility by disrupting hormonal balance and affecting reproductive functions. Physiotherapy provides a range of relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, gentle stretching and cardiovascular exercise, that promote stress reduction.
2. Lumbopelvic and core muscle training
Weak core muscles (pelvic, hips, low back and abdominals) can contribute to fertility issues, especially in women. Physiotherapy offers targeted exercises to strengthen these muscles, improving pelvic stability and supporting reproductive organs. Strengthening the pelvic floor can help with managing symptoms of conditions such as endometriosis, uterine prolapse, and Irritable bowel disease.
3. Pain management
Conditions like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to chronic pelvic pain, as well abdominal surgeries, ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages can cause abdominal scar formation which may affect fertility. Physiotherapy techniques, including massage and myofascial release therapy, heat therapy, and gentle mobilizations, can help manage pain and adhesions associated with these conditions.
4. Optimizing body alignment and posture
Poor body alignment and posture can contribute to muscular imbalances, which may affect reproductive health. Physiotherapy addresses these bone and joint dysfunctions in spine, sacrum and pelvis by providing corrective manual techniques and postural retraining. By optimizing body alignment, individuals can reduce strain on reproductive organs, improve blood flow, and create a more favorable environment for conception.
5. Enhanced blood circulation
Proper blood circulation is vital for reproductive health, as it ensures an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the pelvic area. Physiotherapy techniques, such as lymphatic/vascular drainage, deep tissue mobilization, and cardiovascular exercises, promote blood flow throughout the body. Improved circulation can enhance reproductive health by providing optimal nourishment to the reproductive organs and supporting their proper function.
Evidence-Based Approach
By addressing these physical impairments, when combined with the appropriate medical interventions physiotherapy has shown to improve overall reproductive health and increase the chances of successful conception.
- Treating Female Infertility and Improving IVF Pregnancy Rates With a Manual Physical Therapy Technique
- Manual Physical Therapy Can Help Reverse Female Infertility
- Combined Manual Therapy Techniques for the Treatment of Women With Infertility: A Case Series
*** In Quebec, Visceral Mobilization Therapy is replaced with deep myofascial release techniques.
*** In order to address as many aspects of a patient’s care, complementary treatments by the following health professionals may be suggested:
Psychologist, sexologist, osteopath, nutritionist, naturopath, acupuncture, massage therapist. Strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, pilates and yoga instructor.
Azita is a top notch physiotherapist. I always leave her practice feeling so much better. She’s attentive, thorough and very knowledgeable. She takes the time to explain what is happening and follows every treatment with excellent guidance of at -home exercise. My whole family has used her at one time or another for rehabilitation of broken bones to chronic aches and pains.I truly cannot recommend Azita enough!
Azita is an amazing physio! She's extremely professional and knowledgeable! ( I wish I could give 10/5 stars here! ) She really helped me with my shoulder and back pain, she's also very warm and caring, I enjoyed talking with her very much. Highly recommended!
I have been a client of Azita Papaie for over ten years. If there were more than five stars I would be giving them to her. She is professional, extremely knowledgeable, empathetic, and meticulous in her treatment of her clients and their physio needs. Her follow-up is appreciated and above all, her smile that greats you at each appointment is the perfect start to each session.
Azita is an amazing physiotherapist. She is extremely knowledgeable about the body and what it needs to feel better. When I was having extreme pain in my shoulder from a bad fall, she was able to get rid of the pain with manipulation and massage. She is also a very warm person and I enjoyed our conversations very much. I highly recommend her!
Azita is the best physio you can find. She is very professional and extremely good at what she does. I feel a lot better after each visit. She's been very helpful with my back pain.
Azita is amazing! She is very professional and helped turn my TMJ into something controllable. She not only treats the problem during session, but she also gives you take home exercises so that you can help yourself as well. Would definitely recommend!
I have been going to Azita for a couple of years now for back , shoulder and knee problems . She is very knowledgeable , professional & a life saver ! She never failed to enhance my quality of life and I cannot thank her enough . I never hesitated to refer to her friends & acquaintances , knowing that she will be part of the solution .
Great first session! Azita is warm and knowledgeable. She was able to put me at ease and get me back on track after serious ankle surgery. I highly recommend.
Azita is an excellent physio who is extremely knowledgeable and professional. She is thorough when doing the assessment and takes the time to listen. Her treatment along with prescribed exercises, stretches and teach me how to practice good form were extremely helpful in getting back on track for my right shoulder a few years ago. I am back for my left shoulder and I am confident she will do the same. I highly recommend Azita.
‘I highly recommend Azita. Her eagle-eye and expertise in diagnosis are second-to-none. She has successfully helped me and other family members through a number of different issues over the years and this has brought great relief.’
Azita is amazing. I have gone through many therapists in the last 30 years to help me with pain in my back and legs, but the pain kept always coming back. I met her in 2016 and have been her client since. I worked with her for my back and hips problems, and she was able to identify and help me correct the root problems, instead of only prescribing the usual stretching exercises.She has a holistic approach that look at all the body rather than focusing on where the pain is located. In addition, she ensures i have the tools to heal my body rather than requesting i keep coming back for more visits.Azita is a lifelong learner. Over the years, i saw firsthand how she keeps learning and adding more tools and techniques to help her clients. I benefited greatly from her expertise and competence. I would highly recommend her services.
Azita is both personable and professional. I've had a couple different types of pain in different parts of my body from repetitive and long term stressors and weakness. All of it is massively better since seeing her. More than I thought possible. The nature and location of some pains are vulnerable/sensitive but Azita made me feel at ease right away by communicating clearly and respectfully before and throughout. As well as effectively relieving the pain.
I have been working with Azita over 10 years ago, and have benefited a lot from her knowledge base, open mindedness, and positive-practical approach to health. Her end goal was always to support my physical health towards enjoying the activities that I was eager, but often hesitant, to lean into. Her hands on approach has been helpful over the years. I also appreciate her diagnostic skills, her ability to listen, always giving practical suggestions towards the betterment of my overall strength and health.
Intuitive and experienced Azita found my injury and used her knowledge to treat the source not the symptom which was buried in the absence of use of muscles around the problem due to occupation and posture.Honestly she saved me from cortisone shots which would have eventually harmed my tissues and cartilage. I went from severe reduced mobility to about 95 percent. Mostly, because I’m not as diligent with my exercises :).She is really understated and modest. I highly recommend her for anyone needing Physio and specialized massage. She’s an excellent diagnostician.
How Does Fertility Massage Therapy Work?
Fertility Massage can be used as a stand alone treatment or in preparation for medically assisted cycles like IUI or IVF. The program is tailored to each individual’s or couple’s situation.
Pricing
- Evaluation – 60-90 minutes initial consultation (discussing the past medical records). The cost for initial evaluation is $150 – $180.
- 6 fertility massage sessions of 1 hour each, over 6 weeks. The cost for the massage sessions is $150 each.
- Fertility charting
- 12 months of follow up
Please contact me by e-mail or by phone prior to booking an appointment for this treatment.
Looking for Fertility Massage Therapy Near Saint-Henri in Montreal?
The Azita Papaie Physio clinic is conveniently located at 3287 boul. St-Jacques West, 2 minutes away from the Lionel-Groulx metro station and close to the Atwater Market, downtown Montreal, Westmount and Little Burgundy.