SERVICES

Pelvic Health.

Bladder problems are common with incontinence affecting 1 in 3 women.

It can happen to women of all ages and whether they have had a pregnancy or not.

Whether you leak when you laugh, cough or sneeze, need to urinate frequently or have a prolapse.

Pelvic physiotherapy is a recommended service for all women.

SYMPTOMS

Common bladder symptoms

may include:

N

Bladder urgency and frequency

N

bladder discomfort and incomplete emptying

N

stress incontinence

N

urgency incontinence

N

bladder pain syndrome

N

frequent night-time urination (nocturia)

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"Marta is a life-saver. Her expertise and no-nonsense approach to pelvic health and rehab have enabled me to remember form two challenging births. I cannot recommend her enough for before, during and after pregnancy. "

K BRAID

Bowel

Symptoms may be due to over or under-active pelvic floor muscles, tension or a change in muscle coordination.

Common bowel symptoms:

N

Faecal leakage

N

constipation

N

bowel urgency

N

animus

N

incomplete emptying

N

abdominal pelvic pain

N

pain with emptying

N

rectocele

N

flatal incontinence

Treatments may include acupuncture, bladder and bowel retraining diaries, manual therapy, biofeedback, pelvic floor education, and lifestyle modifications.

Prolapse

The bladder, bowel, vagina and uterus are supported by your pelvic floor. When the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding ligament and tissues are weakened the pelvic organs can descend with some women presenting with prolapse symptoms.

Common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse:

N

Lower back pain

N

Pelvic pain

N

Heaviness and dragging in your vagina

N

Constipation

N

Bladder/bowel problems

N

Leaking

N

Intimacy pain or day-to-day discomfort

Perimenopause & Menopause

As women enter this next chapter in life with the natural ageing cycle and the change of hormones, it is common to have symptoms of pelvic pain, prolapse, leaking, the feeling of dryness in and around the vagina, and painful intercourse.

Assessment and treatment for these pelvic health conditions may include:

N

Biomechanics assessment looking at posture and alignment to optimise your pelvic health

N

Pelvic floor assessment and retraining using biofeedback

N

A tailored and graded exercise program for your core and pelvic floor

N

Manual therapy may include mobilisation and release techniques

N

Advice and education, specific to your pelvic health journey

N

Referral to a multidisciplinary team for prescription creams or medications to assist with managing the condition

N

Support devices such as a pessary for added support

Endometriosis

One of the most common gynaecological conditions in the UK. Nearly half of the women with Endometriosis will have a pelvic floor presentation including chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic therapy is not just for postnatal women but can be of great benefit to women that have endometriosis.

Common symptoms of Endometriosis:

N

Abdominal pain

N

Pelvic pain

N

Back pain

N

Tightness around the pelvis and abdomen

N

Deep pain before or after intercourse

N

Period and ovulation pain

Assessment and treatment may include:

N

Manual therapy

N

Breathing techniques

N

Mindfulness

N

Pain management techniques

N

A tailored and graded movement program for your mental and physical well-being

Pelvic & gynaecological health

Dyspareunia or vaginismus can cause pain during intercourse that may be due to overactive pelvic floor muscles, childbirth, hormonal imbalances, musculoskeletal presentations or trauma.

Common symptoms:

N

Not being able to insert tampons, speculums or receive internal manual therapy

N

Burning or stinging around and near the vagina

N

Anxiety and fear of penetration

N

Low libido

N

Childbirth

N

Sexual Trauma

N

Athletes

N

Pelvic surgery

N

Pelvic infection

N

Previous falls on the tailbone

N

Chronic straining

N

Pelvic floor holding and guarding

N

Stress and tension

Common conditions that may contribute to dyspareunia:

N

Fear

N

anxiety

N

Endometriosis

N

pregnancy

N

trauma

N

pelvic inflammatory disease

N

post-surgical pain and disease

N

vaginal dryness

N

ovarian cysts

N

vaginal atrophy

N

infections

N

skin conditions

Vulvodynia

Vulval pain on touch, discomfort on penetration, burning or itching, pins and needles around the opening of the vagina, tight clothing, burning, ibs, fibromyalgia, anxiety and stress.

Other common symptoms we treat in the clinic related to pelvic pain:

Coccydynia, post-surgical pain, perineal pain or complications, low back pain, hip pain, constipation, pain or numbness in the pelvis, pain during intercourse, bowel and bladder pain or weakness.

Treatment may include:

N

Pelvic floor retraining

N

Prescriptive stretch and strengthening exercises

N

Return to sexual intimacy

N

vaginal dilator therapy

N

Breathing therapy

N

Tailored exercise and rehabilitation program

N

Manual therapy may include pelvic floor release and training techniques and stretches

N

Pain management techniques

N

Psychosexual counselling

N

Medications