Women's Health Physiotherapy

Many women tolerate these problems for years thinking they are a normal part of being a woman. Embarrassment often prevents women seeking help and many women are unaware that there are effective treatments available.

Conditions we can treat

• incontinence
• pelvic pain
• pelvic organ prolapse
• bladder dysfunction
• pelvic floor weakness
• pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems
• new mums check ups

Treatments we can offer

Gynaecology physiotherapy:

This is the treatment of incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain.

Treatments include:

• Pelvic floor Physiotherapy (using exercises, EMG biofeedback, muscle stimulation using the PelviPower chair)
• Manual therapy for overactive or painful pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder training for overactive bladder syndrome
• Rehabilitation following pelvic floor surgery or hysterectomy.

"PelviPower utilises advanced technology to revolutionise the way pelvic floor disorders are treated"

Pregnancy physiotherapy:

Pain during pregnancy is often a result of the hormones Relaxin and Oestrogen relaxing the ligaments which support your pelvis. You can see a Women's Health Physiotherapist at any point once you become pregnant and it is particularly beneficial if you start to feel any pain or discomfort in your pelvic girdle, lower back, ribs or hips during your pregnancy.

Treatments include:

• Advice with your physical preparation for labour (positions for labour, breathing techniques, perineal massage, relaxation, TENS)
• Pelvic floor exercises and training to prevent and treat incontinence.
• Advice and manual therapy for any pain in pregnancy including back and pelvic girdle pain (sacroiliac or symphysis pubis dysfunction/SPD). Also for nerve problems such as sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome

New mums checkup:

We offer new mums a full check-up postpartum. This is can be carried out anytime from 6 weeks (after your GP appointment), onwards. Your body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and continues to change post-natally. It is important to address any issues that occur at this time so as to prevent problems later in life.

Assessment includes:

• Pelvic floor assessment - checking your pelvic floor for healing, strength and prolapse
• Abdominal assessment - checking for any rectus diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles)
• Scar tissue assessment (c-section or perineal)
• Musculoskeletal assessment of any aches and pains (e.g. back pain, neck pain)
• We can also discuss any specific concerns you might be having regarding your bladder, sex, lifting and carrying your baby or finding comfortable positions for feeding.

Treatments include:

• Post-natal abdominal retraining for weak distended abdominal muscles and rectus divarication (separation of abdominal muscles)
• Treatment for any pain post-pregnancy including back, neck and pelvic pain and practical advice relating to breastfeeding and carrying your baby and improving your posture
• Pelvic floor muscle re-education and strengthening

What can I expect at my first Women's Health Physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial appointment will be carried out by a specialist Women's Heath Physiotherapist. She will start with taking a confidential and detailed history and discuss some of the answers you will have filled in on-line. Whilst these sensitive issues are often difficult to discuss, understanding the onset of your symptoms and how your daily life is affected is vital in directing your treatment.

Your physical assessment will most likely begin with examination of your abdominal muscles, pelvis, lumbar spine, posture and muscle and joint strength and stability, to give us insight into the underlying cause. Following this assessment, if it is warranted and you consent to it, you may be offered an internal examination. Your physiotherapist will discuss the examination in detail with you during your appointment. This is an important part of your examination and necessary in identifying the tone, strength, injury or scarring, signs of pelvic organ prolapse and control of your pelvic floor muscles.

Your Physiotherapist will then explain the diagnosis and develop a specific and individualised exercise programme and help you understand what to expect as your programme progresses.