WOMEN’S HEALTH
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy digs deep into an array of disorders that are involved within the pelvic floor, bladder and bowel as well as inflammatory issues. We are lucky enough to have a postgraduate physiotherapy who has worked for the past 5 years in pelvic floor physiotherapy in the south west.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Did you know that 1 in 2 women suffer urinary incontinence? Pelvic Floor physiotherapy can help with many bladder conditions that may include, Overactive bladder disorder, urinary incontinence, urinary frequency issues day and night as well as difficulty emptying the bladder. The role of the physio is to perform a thorough subjective examination which will include your normal bladder and bowel habits as well as fluid intake as well as a detailed objective assessment that could include a Real time ultrasound assessment or a digital vaginal exam to assess the strength and function of the pelvic floor. They will work closely with your GP to eliminate any infection contributing factors. When a diagnosis has been made an individualised treatment plan looking at bladder/ fluid habits as well as pelvic floor rehabilitation will be given and progressed throughout the treatment plan.
Bladder Condition
Let's just start by saying you are not alone, half the world does not know how to poo well! Many people can suffer bowel disorders that are due to a lack of pelvic floor strength such as incontinence or transit issues leading to IBS or constipation. This is helped with a subjective assessment like for the bladder conditions and objective assessment looking at the function of the pelvic floor and anus as well as a detailed understanding of fibre and fluid intake. Also a program for pelvic floor strengthening or relaxation may be required to help.
Bowel Conditions
Pelvic organ prolapse is extremely common and 50% of women who go through pregnancy will have a prolapse to remember it by. This can be felt like a dragging sensation or heaviness as well as a bulging noted outside the vagina. Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been thoroughly researched and demonstrated to be the first line of management for a progressive 6 month strengthening program, with its minimal side effects. When the pressure or pain of the prolapse is getting too much and you need immediate help, pessaries are a line of management that can be used to insert and support within the vaginal walls. Talk to our physiotherapist about this line of management.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pain is experienced in 1 out of 3 women during intercourse and is known as dyspareunia. This is extremely common during the early postnatal periods as well as menopause due to the changes of hormones. Dyspareunia can be also known as vaginismus, due to a tightening of the pelvic floor muscles not allowing penetration or provoked vestibulodynia, which is pain anywhere around the vulva or opening of the vagina, making insertion extremely painful. Our physio will understand there are many contributing factors that lead towards an experience of dyspareunia and will work with you in creating a management plan, which you feel safe with.
Pain with intercourse
There are many changes to your body during this period, you may feel like a bloated painful emotional wreck that has no idea what exercise or stretches are safe. There is so much education that supports fear mongering in pregnant women. We want to make you feel strong and confident throughout your pregnancy, which will come with lots of education as well as exercise prescription. We also have access to support braces to help in pregnancy related pelvic or lower back pain.
Antenatal Physiotherapy
It is highly recommended to attend a 6 week pelvic floor review after you have given birth where our physio will review your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor strength and address any issues of pain or weakness. Together your physio and you will devise a plan to return to your old exercise routine with a pelvic floor and abdominal rehabilitation program. We are lucky enough at refresh physiotherapy to have access to a therapeutic ultrasound machine which can help with early perineal pain post vaginal birth as well as the management of blocked ducts or mastitis, as breastfeeding can also be quite a challenge! Please remember we are here to help and happy to answer any questions.