Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Supporting women and men with urinary + bowel conditions, core + pelvic rehabilitation, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction. Pre-post natal rehabilitation for women.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is provided by a trained Physiotherapist who has taken post-graduate education focused on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pelvic health concerns. They see women, men and children who may be experiencing issues with bladder and bowel control, prolapse, constipation and straining, bed wetting, pre and post pelvic or prostate surgery, pelvic and perineal pain, pudendal neuralgia, bladder pain, vulvar pain and vaginismus to name a few. A thorough assessment by the Physiotherapist will determine the correct course of treatment for you.

Does this sound like you?

• Experiencing leakage (incontinence)
• Feel like you have a small bladder or you are frequently visiting the washroom
• Feel weakness through the core or a “separation” through the midline of the abdominal muscles – a possible diastasis recti abdominis (DRA)
• Experience pain with intercourse or inserting a tampon
• Experience heaviness or pressure “down there”
• Have pain in the low back/sacroiliac joint, pelvic region, or genitals
• Have concerns with your health during the prenatal or postpartum period
• Experiencing issues with your core or pelvic floor health
• Planning on becoming pregnant and would like to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction

Did you know that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 9 men will experience urinary incontinence at some point during their life?

Many of us are unaware that the pelvic floor muscles have a substantial role in keeping our core strong and our backs healthy Consequently very little is done to keep the pelvic floor muscles healthy and to use them appropriately.

It has unfortunately become all too common for people to think that it’s normal to pee a little when they exercise, dance, cough, or even before they make it to the bathroom. Research supports the role that Physiotherapists provide in the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor. The Cochrane Collaboration (2010) concluded that Physiotherapy should be the first line of defense for individuals suffering from stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence.

What Can I Expect At My First Visit?

• A thorough and detailed history will be taken including information about your symptoms; how much your symptoms affect your quality of life and what they stop you from being able to do; gynaecological, obstetric and surgical events; medications; fluid and caffeine intake; bowel habits; lifestyle factors which may be impacting on your symptoms eg: heavy lifting, excessive squats and lunges at the gym; psycho-social stressors.
• Adults will have an internal pelvic floor muscle assessment performed, in men it will be a rectal examination, in women it is usually a vaginal examination and occasionally, depending on symptoms, a rectal examination may also be needed.
• While internal pelvic exams provide your Physiotherapist with additional information, not every condition allows for an internal exam and all patients have the right to refuse any component of the assessment or subsequent treatment at any point of time.
• Based on your symptoms and assessment findings you will be treated appropriately and given a home programme.
• One of the essential parts of your pelvic floor treatment will be education. Our goal is that you understand your own health and give you the tools you need to take back control. Besides, specific exercises, manual techniques, modalities such as Biofeedback and functional movements and return to sport guidelines may be used as part of your personalised treatment plan.

Why Do We Do An Internal Exam?

The muscles of the pelvic floor are, in fact, internal muscles. We cannot feel them from the outside. Research has shown that doing an internal exam is the best way to assess the pelvic floor muscles and to ensure that strengthening exercises are being done correctly. If you are uncomfortable having an internal exam or are not suitable for an internal exam for any reason, please speak to us and we can find an external approach that works best for you.

What If I Have My Period?

No worries at all! We can still do the same exam.

Do I need a referral to see a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist?

No, you do not need a referral to make an appointment.

Have questions? 

Let’s connect before you schedule your initial assessment.

Book a Complimentary Consultation with our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Anuja to discuss how Physiotherapy can help you with your condition.