Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
The pelvic floor is a muscular and fascial support sling in the base of the pelvis. These tissues help to provide the continence mechanism by closing off the urethra (i.e wee tube) and anus (i.e rectum) as well as provide additional support to the pelvic organs (the bladder, bowel and uterus). The pelvic floor muscles also form part of your core muscles, along with your diaphragm, deep tummy muscles and the deep spinal muscles.
When there is an imbalance or weakness in these tissues, pelvic floor dysfunction can occur. Pelvic floor physiotherapy works to treat any imbalances in the pelvis (both externally and internally if indicated) and is suitable for all life stages. At Flow Pelvic Physio we can help with a range of conditions and concerns including;
Bladder dysfunction: such as incontinence, urgency, overactive bladder, underactive bladder, incomplete or difficulty emptying, nocturia (frequent urination overnight)
Bowel Dysfunction: such as incontinence, urgency, flatus (wind), difficulty emptying, haemorrhoids & fissures
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: such as cystocele, rectocele, apical/uterine, heaviness, dragging, bulging
Pelvic Pain: such as sexual pain, vaginismus, vulvodynia, vaginal dryness, endometriosis, PCOS, painful periods, bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, coccydynia (tailbone pain)
Pre and post operative management: for pelvic surgery (gynaecological, urological, colorectal)
Pelvic floor concerns related to perimenopause and menopause
Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PRPGP)
Low back pain
Physiotherapy management at Flow Pelvic Physio may include:
Individualised pelvic floor rehabilitation program to optimise function
Bladder & bowel training & techniques
Pain management strategies
Assess your body holistically to address any other contributing factors
Exercise prescription and/or home exercise program
Education and self management techniques
For more information on how we can help, click on the arrows below.
Our Services
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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!
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Coming soon!
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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
