FAQ
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My most asked questions
What happens in my initial consultation?
Marta will put you completely at ease. Your initial consultation is as much about understanding as it is about treatment. Each woman walks into her initial consultation with different presentations and concerns. Marta will treat your concerns as her initial priority. And then together you and Marta will understand the causes for your presentation and develop appropriate treatments. Marta will discuss self-management strategies alongside an individualised exercise home program.
The detailed assessment focuses on your primary symptoms and concerns alongside your general medical history, your diet, exercise and goals.
The pelvic health assessment involves an external examination – an internal assessment is only carried out with your consent. This is recommended if you are presenting with a pelvic health condition and it is necessary to review your pelvic floor and surrounding muscles.
Treatment may include, manual and joint mobilisation, release therapy, breathwork, strength training, acupuncture, scar, lymphatic and lymph therapy and talking therapy.
What conditions can Marta treat?
Marta has a particular interest in pregnancy and post-pregnancy conditions focusing on getting mothers back to feeling more like themselves, scar and c- section rehabilitation and sexual dysfunction presentations. As a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist, Marta can treat, manage and hopefully solve conditions and concerns including:
– Pregnancy care: Pelvic girdle pain, back pain, exercising throughout pregnancy, preparation for birth, preparation for a c- section.
– Postnatal care: abdominal separation, episiotomy and vaginal pain, perineal tears, scar pain, vaginal dryness, and scar pain post-delivery, leaking, returning to exercise and returning to intimacy.
– C- section therapy: Manual therapy for mothers using the latest evidence-based lymph machines, tools and creams to aid in your c- section recovery; post c- section management including exercise and functional movement.
– Sexual concerns: Clitoris pain or sensitivity, vagina or vaginismus, pain with sex, pain on touch, irritation to the vagina and surrounding muscles, reduced sensitivity and inability to climax
– Bladder concerns: incontinence, urgency, pain with emptying, leaking (nocturia, urge ic, increased frequency, pain with urinating, incomplete emptying, bladder pain syndrome) stress urinary incontinence.
– Bowel: constipation, IBS, incontinence, leaking, incomplete emptying, rectum pain.
– Reproductive health care: Endometriosis, PCOS.
– Prolapse: heaviness, dragging, and pressure in the pelvis.
– Menopause: leaking, vaginal dryness, itching, pain with intercourse, laxity, loss of sensation, low libido.
– Acupuncture may be used as part of the treatment plan.
– Clinical Pilates pre- and post-natal Pilates.
– Strength and conditioning for all women.
When should I see Marta?
Marta, and pelvic health physiotherapists generally, is not just for women that have pelvic floor symptoms or have had a baby. Pelvic floor physiotherapy should be a regular focus for all women.
Whether you have no symptoms, and you would like a general preventive pelvic floor check or you are presenting with acute or chronic symptoms, having an assessment to know how your pelvic health presents and functions can provide you with the tools and empowerment to step into every chapter in life and embrace the changes we go through as a woman.
Is it too late for a Mummy MOT or pelvic health consultation?
Never. At every and any stage of a woman’s life it is important to understand pelvic health and your pelvic health concerns. This is true whether you are in your twenties or you are a few years past having children and stepping into perimenopause.
Do I need to have a pelvic health assessment if I have had a c- section and when should I make an appointment?
1 in 3 women having a c- section will have pelvic floor dysfunction. A pelvic floor assessment is recommended at the 6-week mark post-partum.
The are many factors to take into account for c-section recovery. The pelvic floor is impacted during pregnancy, alongside changes in the body, core and general strength. The c-section itself can be a contributing factor to post-partum constipation, pelvic floor dysfunction and pain. Pelvic health consultations will address your birth and tailor a treatment plan to optimise your return to the things that make you live your best life.
Do you offer online virtual care?
Of course! While nothing totally substitutes for an in-person appointment, Marta can support, treat and assist online.
How many treatment sessions do I need for a c- section or scar treatment?
This will depend on your presentation, level of trauma, scar tissue and inflammation. However, in 4-6 sessions of scar therapy treatments, you typically notice an improvement in healing and function. A detailed treatment plan will be discussed during your consultation.
Does pelvic scar therapy help with overhang from a c-section?
There are many contributing factors for an overhang and the initial consultation with help to address the causes. It may feel numb, and tender to touch or you may have a pulling sensation. Scar adhesions can form after surgery.
Scar and manual therapy alongside the latest evidence-based technology devices can help to release the scar and reduce the overhang that will promote healing and function.
Can a pelvic physiotherapist help with a tummy gap and returning to exercise post-baby?
Yes. All women will have a tummy gap (diastasis) as they enter the last trimester. For 1 in 2 women, the post-partum recovery including the tummy gap and regaining core strength takes time. The core is essential for stability and works together with the diaphragm for optimal breathing and supports the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles.
The assessment will establish what exercise and movement to do for you and your tummy gap to regain and rebuild your core tension and optimise function. A realistic and rounded exercise and breathing program with progression exercises and loading will be prescribed to you.
Does pelvic health physiotherapy help with painful sex?
Yes. There are lots of factors for painful sex. Common reasons for pain with intercourse are vaginal births- section birth, vaginismus, vestibulodynia, overactive pelvic muscles, trauma, bladder presentations, peri and menopause, and endometriosis. Marta can treat with both talking and manual therapies. She uses a range of treatments and methods to help most women overcome pain with sex.
How long are consultations?
Marta’s initial consultation take 60-90 minutes. Follow-up appointments are 45- 60 minutes. This will be discussed at your initial consultation.
What if I have to reschedule the appointment?
Marta requires at least 48 hours’ notice to reschedule without charge.
Can I bring my baby?
Yes of course you can. You will however get the most out of the consultation and treatment if your baby is not at the appointment.
Do you still have a question?
Drop me a line and I’ll get straight back to you or find me on the socials.
