Women’s Heath Physiotherapy

• 1 in 3 women experience urinary incontinence during their lifetime
• Pelvic organ/vaginal prolapse is experienced in up to 50% of women who have had children
• In women who have not children – up to 60% will have some significant bladder/bowel or pain symptoms
• Approximately 20% of 18-50 year old women will complain of chronic pelvic pain
• All women will at some point go through the menopause.

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.

It’s worth working with a physiotherapist and persevering with your programme – pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy helps to cure or improve the symptoms of weak pelvic floor muscles for over 70% of women.

Conditions we can help with

Our specialist Physiotherapists can help you with a range of conditions including:

• pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica or carpal tunnel syndrome
• bladder dysfunction
• bowel dysfunction
• pelvic floor dysfunction
• incontinence
• pelvic pain
• pelvic organ prolapse
• sexual dysfunction.

Following pregnancy many women are concerned about aches or pains and have questions about how they can safely return to sport without any risk to their pelvic floor. Our Physiotherapists can offer you a postnatal body check, including postural, abdominal and pelvic floor assessment, which will give you back confidence in your body following the birth of your child.

Physiotherapy can also address some of the many side effects of menopause, including physical aches and pains, vaginal symptoms and pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation.

Our Physiotherapists are passionate about helping women resolve their problems, improve their quality of life and help them return to the life they love. Our service is highly confidential and respects the often-sensitive nature of these problems.

Obstetrics/ antenatal (Pregnancy care):

• Advice and treatment for any pain in pregnancy including back and pelvic girdle pain (sacroiliac or symphysis pubis /SPD). Also for nerve problems such as sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, pins and needles or numbness in the hands)
• Your obstetric physiotherapist can help your physical preparation for labour (positions for labour, breathing techniques, perineal massage, relaxation, TENS)
• Pelvic floor exercises and training to prevent and treat incontinence.

Postnatal treatment includes:

• 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 – for incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain or following perineal trauma during delivery
• Bespoke and safe ‘return to exercise’ programmes.

Gynaecology physio:
The treatment of incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain (vulvodynia/vaginismus/bladder pain syndrome) including:

• Pelvic floor Physiotherapy (using Kegel exercises, EMG biofeedback, muscle simulation and cones)
• Manual therapy for overactive or painful pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder training and acupuncture for overactive bladder syndrome
• Rehabilitation following pelvic floor surgery or hysterectomy.