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Women’s Health Physiotherapy

 

Women’s Health Physiotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of all disorders affecting the pelvis and pelvic floor. From incontinence to prolapse, pelvic pain or constipation, there is growing evidence that physiotherapy can alleviate, and in many cases cure these symptoms.

 

At Halo, we specialise in treating women during all life stages, including Pregnancy, Post-Nataly and during Menopause.

 

It’s important for women to know that help is available and that the issues above are common and treatment is available.

 

Women’s Health Physiotherapy can help with:

 

  • Pelvic Girdle Pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • Coccyx pain
  • Pelvic Pain (chronic pelvic pain, vaginismus, vulvodynia, bladder pain syndrome, Interstitial cystitis)
  • Tummy gap/ Abdominal muscle separation (Diastasis Recti)
  • Pelvic Floor dysfunction
  • Bladder/Bowel dysfunction
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Anal Sphincter injuries/ Birth injuries
  • Abdominal/ gynaecological surgery (pre or post op rehabilitation)
  • Scar recovery / rehabilitation
  • Genitourinary syndrome of the menopause/ vaginal atrophy/ menopausal symptoms
  • Exercise advice and tailored programs during pregnancy, postnatally and beyond.

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All of the Women’s Health Physiotherapists at Halo are affiliated with the Pelvic Obstetrics and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) special interest group, where additional post graduate training is taken to specialise in this area of Physiotherapy.

 

 

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

 

At the first appointment the physiotherapist will carry out a detailed assessment, including when and how your symptoms started, what may aggravate or make them worse or if there are any positions or situations that ease the symptoms. They may also ask about any previous treatment including hospital tests, investigations or scans you may have had related to this issue as well as your general medical health – this will ensure they make an accurate diagnosis and know the best way they can help.  It is also helpful to know about your lifestyle – including any work, sports or hobbies you enjoy.

 

For many of us , the thought of talking about this area of your body or topics that are personal and intimate may be very daunting, especially if you have not discussed them with any other health professionals. A specialist pelvic health physiotherapist is sensitive to this and will do their upmost to put you at ease. Assessments are carried out in a private area so any discussions cannot be overheard and are totally confidential. Everything that you tell your physiotherapist is private and will not be discussed with anyone else unless you give your permission.

 

The specialist pelvic health physiotherapist will ask in detail about your symptoms, and what treatments or strategies you may have tried already.

 

They may ask you to fill in a bladder diary to look at what you are drinking, how often you go the toilet and how much urine you pass, usually over a three-day period. This will allow them to prescribe individualized bladder training strategies to help you to improve your symptoms.

 

They may ask you to fill in a diary to look at your bowel motions, and possibly what you are eating & drinking also – this diary may need to cover up to 4 weeks of your normal eating pattern.

 

For diastasis recti, back and pregnancy related pelvic pain symptoms, if you are happy and agree the physiotherapist may then assess how your back, hips and pelvis are moving and they may carry out some other tests to these areas of your body to try to find out what is causing any pain. They are also likely to look at the activation of your tummy/abdominal muscles.

 

If the physiotherapist thinks that your problem is not PGP/ LBP but some other cause they may suggest that you see another health care professional, such as your GP, to look into your problem further.

 

For bladder, bowel and persistent pelvic pain symptoms you may be asked if you are happy to undergo a vaginal or rectal examination, so that the physiotherapist can assess your pelvic floor muscles and check their strength, coordination and function. You may wish to take a friend or family member with you to your appointment or ask for a chaperone. The physiotherapist will discuss why this is necessary and what it involves and following the discussion it will only ever be performed with your consent. This is useful as not everybody will benefit from the same exercise program. You may be taught specific exercises to improve your pelvic floor muscle function if required

 

You may prefer not to have an examination there and then but to have time to think before you give your decision and that is absolutely fine. You may prefer not to have an examination at all, and you have the right to decline and does not mean you will not be offered treatment if the physiotherapist feels it will help you.

 

When an assessment has been completed the therapist will discuss their findings with you and the options available so that together you can plan the most appropriate treatment plan  .

 

What treatment will I be given?

 

The pelvic floor muscles support your bladder and bowels within the pelvis and help to control when you open them or when you need to hold on. Research has shown that pelvic floor exercises done alongside lifestyle changes are the most effective way to help improve symptoms of incontinence.  The good news is that pelvic floor exercises are  easy to perform and can be done anywhere.

 

Other treatments may include exercises to strengthen the tummy muscles, the diaphragm (your breathing muscle) and the pelvic floor muscles make up your ‘core’. Research has shown that exercises to strengthen your core, improving posture and lifestyle advice, will have the most benefit.  Your Physiotherapist will guide you through a graded program for this, working at your own pace.  It is important to follow this advice as some types of exercise may not be advised initially and it may be that you need to be helped to relax these muscles before strength work can start.

 

You may also benefit from some ‘manual therapy’ this may involve work to aid joint mobility, muscle length or tissue balance.

 

Some physiotherapists also use acupuncture for pain relief and symptom reduction – they will talk you through this if it is felt a good option.

 

To find out more about Women’s Health Physiotherapy, please telephone Halo Physio on 01926 257 255 or contact us here 

 

If you are interested in Halo Physio coming to your workplace school/community to give a talk or run an advice clinic on any of the above

please contact us

 

Read more about Women’s Health Physiotherapy by clicking below

Women’s Health Physiotherapy – Pelvic Floor

Women’s Health Physiotherapy During and After Pregnancy