Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Bladder dysfunction such as leakage, is a common but normal complaint. Symptoms of bladder dysfunction include;

• Urinary incontinence (stress and urge)

• Urinary urgency (sudden sensation that you are busting)

• Overactive bladder

• Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis

• Incomplete emptying/difficulty emptying

• Nocturia (frequent urination overnight)

• Post Void Dribble

• Dysuria (painful emptying)

• Nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting)

• Bladder concerns related to perimenopause and menopause

If you are experiencing symptoms of bladder dysfunction, the team at Flow Pelvic Physio will provide you with a specific management plan to help you to improve your bladder habits and function. We hold a supportive, non-judgemental space where you can feel comfortable to address your concerns. Management may include pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, urge deferral strategies, bladder emptying techniques and bowel management strategies.

Bowel dysfunction can be a very personal and at times embarrassing concern which, more often than not, is not openly spoken about.

Symptoms of bowel dysfunction include;

• Faecal incontinence

• Faecal urgency

• Faecal smearing

• Uncontrolled flatus (wind)

• Difficulty or painful emptying including constipation

• Haemorrhoids & anal fissures

• Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI)

If you are experiencing symptoms of bowel dysfunction, the team at Flow Pelvic Physio will provide you with a specific management plan to help you to improve your bowel habits and function. We hold a supportive, non-judgemental space where you can feel comfortable to address your concerns.

Pelvic organ prolapse or ‘POP’ occurs when one or more of the pelvic organs sits low in the pelvis, often creating a sensation of bulging, dragging or heaviness. POP can be graded by the vaginal wall that is most affected;

• Anterior wall/bladder POP (previously cystocele)

• Posterior wall/rectum POP (previously rectocele)

• Apical/Vault POP (previously uterine)

Symptoms may include:

• Vaginal heaviness or feeling of something slipping down in the vagina

• Dragging sensation

• Low back pain

• Difficulty emptying your bladder

• Difficulty emptying your bowel

If you are experiencing symptoms of POP the team at Flow Pelvic Physio will provide you with an individualised management plan to help you to improve your symptoms and get you back to doing the things you love, without fear of worsening your symptoms.

Pelvic organ prolapse or ‘POP’ occurs when one or more of the pelvic organs sits low in the pelvis, often creating a sensation of bulging, dragging or heaviness. POP can be graded by the vaginal wall that is most affected;

• Anterior wall/bladder POP (previously cystocele)

• Posterior wall/rectum POP (previously rectocele)

• Apical/Vault POP (previously uterine)

Symptoms may include:

• Vaginal heaviness or feeling of something slipping down in the vagina

• Dragging sensation

• Low back pain

• Difficulty emptying your bladder

• Difficulty emptying your bowel

If you are experiencing symptoms of POP the team at Flow Pelvic Physio will provide you with an individualised management plan to help you to improve your symptoms and get you back to doing the things you love, without fear of worsening your symptoms.

Research shows that pregnant women should undertake supervised pelvic floor muscle training throughout their pregnancy however clinically we see many women do not know how to correctly contract and relax these muscles. In a pregnancy physiotherapy appointment, we can assess these muscles and teach you how to strengthen them correctly.

Regardless of whether you have any unwanted symptoms, prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on prevention of symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, preparation for birth and recovery during the early postnatal stages (i.e the fourth trimester).

Physiotherapy can also help manage common complaints in pregnancy including:

• Pelvic Floor symptoms such as leakage, constipation, pelvic pain and vulvar varicosities

• Pelvic Girdle Pain and ‘lightening crotch’

• Low Back Pain

• Hip Pain

• Diastasis Recti ‘abdominal separation’

• Rib Pain

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Exercise Guidelines in Pregnancy

• Birth Preparation

• Caesarean sections preparation and recovery

• Preparation for the Postpartum period

If you have any concerns we recommend booking an appointment as soon as you are able. If you do not have any concerns and would like a general pregnancy assessment, we recommend this appointment from the start of your second trimester (i.e after your 13/40 scan).

Postnatal physiotherapy includes a comprehensive assessment and management plan to facilitate your recovery, reduce any symptoms of pain or pelvic floor dysfunction and allow a safe return to exercise after having your baby.

Conditions/concerns include:

• Pelvic Floor symptoms such as bladder and bowel leakage, urgency, prolapse symptoms, return to intimacy, perineum pain

• Diastasis Recti i.e ‘abdominal separation’ and ‘weak core’

• Breastfeeding concerns

• Return to exercise in the postpartum stages

• Return to running and high intensity training guidelines

• Postural related pain such as neck pain, shoulder pain

• Hand and wrist issues such as ‘mummy’s thumb’

Recommended appointments:

• If you have any pelvic health concerns in the postnatal period, we recommend booking an appointment as soon as you are able. If you do not have any current concerns we recommend a review at 3-6 post natal assessment.

• If you are specifically seeking a pelvic floor assessment please book this for 6 weeks post-natal.

• If you would like to attend for return to exercise, core strengthening, abdominal separation and doming (DRAM) management, or back/hip/pelvic pain, please book this appointment from 3-4 weeks post.

• Great than 3 months post natal? Don’t worry, it is never too late for a postnatal check!

Coming soon!

Common conditions we manage include:

• Neck pain

• Upper back, shoulder and rib pain

• Low back pain

• Hip pain

• Pelvic Girdle Pain

• Hand and wrist complaints

Carpal tunnel, dequervains ‘mothers thumb’

Individualised home exercise programs