Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

“"In conjunction with treating a variety of sexual concerns, I am a qualified physiotherapist with specialisations in women’s and pelvic health. This comes with in-depth comprehension of pelvic anatomy and function which compliments my approach to sexual issues. If you are experiencing a range of pelvic health/women’s health issues not relating to sex, the following list incorporates conditions I commonly treat;

Pre and Post natal

Pregnancy is tough! Your body goes through a number of hormonal, and physical changes throughout the 9 months of pregnancy. This can lead to new sensations and discomfort. I can help guide you through this stage and alleviate the pain that may come on as your body changes. I can also help you through the post labour rehabilitation and recovery in order to return to exercises and daily activity in a safe manner. This will leave you in a better space to take care of your new born.

Prenatal Conditions

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)/ Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)

Lower back pain

Sciatic pain

Postural pain associated with pregnancy

Carpal tunnel syndrome

De Quervains

DRAM prevention (abdominal muscle separation)

Pelvic floor pain management

Post Natal Conditions

C-section rehab

Vaginal tearing rehab

Postural pain treatment from breastfeeding, lifting and carrying

DRAM assessment and management

Pelvic floor assessment and muscle retraining

Clinical exercise programming and safe return to exercise

Safe return to intercourse

Incontinence

Incontinence involves the loss of control of the bladder or bowel. This can affect both men and women of all ages but is commonly associated with post natal women, post proctectomy in men, weight lifters and in conjunction with sexual dysfunction.

There are many different types of incontinence and physiotherapy can help with all categories. Some of the main ones are listed below.

Stress Incontinence

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) occurs when the pressure exerted on the muscles controlling the bladder supersedes the strength of the muscles trying to hold the urethra closed.

With mild SUI, pressure may be from sudden forceful activities, like exercise, sneezing, laughing or coughing. If your SUI is more severe, you may also leak with less forceful activities like standing up, walking or bending over.

Urinary leakage associated with SUI can range from a few drops of urine to enough to soak through to your clothes

Overflow Incontience

Overflow incontinence occurs when you leak or dribble urine because your bladder is too full.

Some people experience overflow incontinence because they have issues with sensation for urge to use the toilet or because the bladder is not emptying properly when on the toilet

Urinary incontinence, in general, more commonly affects women. But overflow incontinence tends to affect more men.

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence, or urgency incontinence, is when you feel a sudden and very intense need to pass urine and you're unable to delay going to the toilet. There are often only a few seconds between the need to urinate and the release of urine.

Your need to pass urine may be triggered by a sudden change of position, or even by the sound of running water. You may also pass urine during sex, particularly when you reach orgasm.

This type of incontinence often occurs as part of a group of symptoms called overactive bladder syndrome, which is when the bladder muscle is more active than usual.

As well as sometimes causing urge incontinence, overactive bladder syndrome can mean you need to pass urine very frequently, including several times during the night.

Prolapse Rehabilitation

POP or pelvic organ prolapse consists of the descent of the pelvic organs due to a weakened pelvic floor. Symptoms can present as

  • Heaviness or dragging in the lower abdomen or vagina

  • Feeling as if something is coming out of the vagina

  • Weakness with movement and increased pelvic pressure with bending, lifting and coughing

  • Feeling or seeing a lump coming out of the vagina

  • Discomfort or numbness during sex

  • Problems urinating

  • Incontinence

Prolapse can be difficult to manage and can detract from quality of life. It can also place you at risk of lower back injury due to internal weakness. The best treatment is prevention of further strain and rehabilitating the muscles of the pelvic floor. If you think you have a prolapse, it is highly recommended to have an internal examination before returning to exercise.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain varies. It may affect a small area around your pelvis (your lower tummy) or the whole area.

Types of pelvic pain include:

  • sudden onset pain including sharp, stabbing or burning pain

  • a pain that comes on slowly but does not go away

  • a dull or heavy ache, or feeling of pressure

  • a twisted or knotted feeling

  • a cramping or throbbing pain, which may come and go

  • pain only with exercising, intercourse or urinating

  • pain associated with endometriosis

Pelvic health physiotherapy treats a broad range of pelvic health conditions using internal and external techniques in order to give your pelvic floor the right tone, strength and balance.

Pelvic health physiotherapy plays an important role for women as the pelvic area is tied to a lot of muscles, ligaments and tissues. Pelvic Health injuries and weakness are very common but pelvic floor rehabilitation can treat them quickly with the right pelvic specialists.