Women's & Men's Pelvic Health
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists treat conditions in both Women and Men. These include conditions specific to pregnancy, post-natal and menopause; painful sexual intercourse; bladder and bowel problems; pelvic pain, as well as to provide pre and post-op pelvic floor rehab for gynaecological and prostate surgeries.
Mums in Motion Gym Class
Pregnancy and Postnatal Services
Pregnancy Ante-Natal Assessment
Our pregnancy assessment is suitable for any time period throughout the pregnancy. Our experienced Pelvic Health Physiotherapists can assist with pelvic floor and abdominal function, low back pain and pelvic pain and create a tailored management plan including activity and exercise advice specific to the individual's needs and goals. Guidance to prepare your body for birth and beyond.
If you would simply like to attend for Pregnancy Exercise, we offer a Pregnancy Exercise Assessment to ensure you are suitable for the sessions at PROmotion.
Pregnancy Exercise
At PROmotion we offer both Pregnancy mat exercise sessions and equipment sessions. In our pregnancy exercise sessions you will have a program targeting goals set by you and your physio. Your program will include upper and lower limb strengthening, pelvic floor
activation and mobility exercises specifically designed for your current trimester as well as education regarding pregnancy and birth.
Post-Natal Assessment
During pregnancy and child birth, a woman’s body goes through a huge amount of change and wonderful transformation. The changes that occur include increased laxity of the pelvic ligaments as well as significant load through your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
From 6 weeks following either a caesarean or vaginal birth, it is important for women to have a thorough post-natal assessment by a trained Women’s Health Physiotherapist. A post-natal review allows you to discuss and manage any problems that you are experiencing, prevent any injuries occurring, return safely to exercise and sexual intercourse; and to ensure that your body fully heals following pregnancy and birth.
Mums and Bubs Exercise Sessions
A variety of Mums & Bubs Exercise sessions are offered; including mat based, equipment and gym based. Following your post natal assessment, mum's and bub's are welcomed into the appropriate class which involves exercises appropriate for your fitness level and post pregnancy body - encouraging correct pelvic floor activation and lifting techniques. Sessions are 45-55 minutes in length.
Breast Care and Treatment
Mastitis is a condition where the breast becomes inflamed. Commonly, an area of the breast is red and tender and there may also be a blocked duct which feels like a lump. Mastitis generally occurs in the first 3 months after your baby’s birth but can occur at other times as well. We use Therapeutic ultrasound which creates sound waves to unblock milk ducts where many blockages occur. Single sessions of ultrasound therapy can assist in significantly decreasing painful symptoms.
Cracked or damaged nipples tend to occur in the early days of breastfeeding when you and your baby are learning to latch properly. this can result in painful breastfeeds and subsequent blocked ducts. Laser therapy can be used to speed up the healing process and can help with pain management. Unfortunately, for safety your little one cannot be in the room when you are receiving laser treatment, but it is safe to breastfeed them straight after.
Bladder Dysfunction
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, running or lifting is a common problem that affects a significant percentage of the population. An individualised pelvic floor exercise program prescribed by a physiotherapist, combined with maintaining a healthy weight is the most effective form of management for women and men of all ages.
Overactive Bladder (Urinary urgency/incontinence)
Needing to use the bathroom very urgently with or without leaking urine is another common bladder problem that affects both men and women. A physiotherapist can teach bladder calming and training strategies which are an effective and quick treatment to manage urgency, as well as advising about cutting out specific food and drink that may be irritating the bladder.
Bowel Dysfunction
Constipation
It is normal for you to open your bowels 3 times a day to every 3 days. As long as you get a good controllable urge, do not strain and feel empty after. If not you may have underlying constipation. Our specialist Physiotherapists can assess the reasons for your constipation and create an individual program to overcome it.
Faecal Incontinence
Leaking faeces, smearing on your underwear, or not being able to wipe clean are all associated with faecal incontinence. Faecal incontinence has many causes and correctly identifying them are key to management. Our specialised Physiotherapist are trained in rectal assessments and management of faecal incontinence.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Prolapse which is a feeling of a lump or bulge in the vagina can occur in both the post-natal and peri-menopausal periods of life and is often described as distressing or impacting on a person’s quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are effective at reducing symptoms of prolapse. A physiotherapist can also advise on the correct ways to lift objects, open bowels and exercise while managing a prolapse. A silicon pessary inserted into the vagina can be another way to help women to continue to live their life and exercise more comfortably.
Pelvic Pain, Sexual Pain & Dysfunction
Vaginismus / Pain with Sexual Intercourse (Genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder/GPPPD)
A common but seldom discussed pelvic floor issue is the inability for some women to enjoy sexual intercourse. One component of this problem is pelvic floor muscle tightness and involuntary clenching of the muscles with penetration. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help by teaching the muscles to relax, stretching tight pelvic muscles as well as using vaginal dilators to gradually allow intercourse.
Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia or vulval pain is pain anywhere around the entrance to the vagina. Women can experience pain with certain triggers such as wearing tight pants, bike riding, sitting and sexual intercourse. Pelvic floor muscle relaxation exercises, stretching and learning about the science behind pain and stress reduction can help resolve vulval pain.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition effecting 1/10 women. When Endometrial-like tissue develops in other parts of the body, most commonly the pelvic and abdominal cavity. Most woman experience cyclical symptoms of painful periods, heavy bleeding, bladder and bowel pain and dysfunction, abdominal and lower back pain, fatigue and pain with sexual intercourse.
Surgical recovery
The best time to see our Pelvic Health Physiotherapist is before your surgery. During these sessions we will thoroughly educate you on your surgery, individual risk factors and return to physical activity.
Hysterectomy, Prolapse repairs
To prevent complications of prolapse, urinary incontinence post Hysterectomy (with or without ovary sparing) and Prolapse repair surgery individual assessment and graded return to exercise is required. Along with pelvic floor exercises our Physiotherapists will tailor your rehab to your individual experience and goals.
Prostatectomy
Urinary incontinence is common post Prostatectomy. The research shows us that pelvic floor muscle exercises are the first line treatment. In conjunction with a graded return to physical activity post-surgery, our Physiotherapist can help you achieve your goals.