Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialist area of physiotherapy aimed at treating symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction as well as caring for women during and after pregnancy.

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Pelvic health physiotherapy can treat common symptoms such as incontinence (leaking of wee, poo or wind), pelvic organ prolapse (mostly commonly felt as heaviness or a bulge within the vagina) and pelvic pain.

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1 in 3 women suffer with incontinence and up to 1 in 2 women will develop pelvic organ prolapse. 

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Sadly, a lot of women feel they have to accept these symptoms as just something that happens after you have children and don't realise that a lot of these symptoms are treatable, even after years of suffering. 

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FAQs

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What is pelvic health physiotherapy?

 

Pelvic health physiotherapy is physiotherapy relating to assessing and treating problems within the pelvis. This may include: pain in and around the pelvis, lower back and hip bones; problems with the pelvic floor; problems during and after pregnancy.

 

What does a pelvic health physiotherapist treat?

 

A pelvic health physiotherapist may treat many things including:

• Leaking wind/wee/poo (incontinence)

• Prolapse

• Tummy muscle separation

• Pelvic pain in pregnancy

• Postnatal rehabilitation

• Pain during sex

• Loss of sexual function (such as reduced ability to reach orgasm)

• Pain around the lower back and hips

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How is this assessed?

 

There are many parts to a pelvic health assessment but it may include:

• Looking at your posture

• Looking at you do daily movements such as bending, squatting, standing up etc

• Observing your breathing

• Observing your tummy muscles

• Feeling your tummy

• Feeling how your hips move

• Testing how your pelvic floor is working using a vaginal examination with one finger

• Observing how your pelvic floor is working just by looking around your vulva

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How do you assess the pelvic floor?

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The best way to assess the pelvic floor is  via a vaginal examination by a specialist physiotherapist. This is a normally painless assessment using one finger to gentle feel the pelvic floor muscles at the entrance of the vagina and test their integrity, strength and function. There are of course other ways to assess pelvic floor strength and function if this is not something you feel comfortable doing, and there is still plenty of advice which is likely to be beneficial to you. We will be happy to discuss these options with you during your appointment. 

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Can I bring somebody with me?

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As a small, independent clinic, we are unable to provide a formal chaperone without a request in advance of your appointment, however you are welcome to bring a family member or friend along for support if you wish.

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Can I bring my baby?

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Non-mobile babies are welcome to join you at your appointment - we have space for them to lie on the floor, you're welcome to breastfeed and we have baby change facilities available for you to use if needed. Please be aware that we will be unable to extend your appointment should the baby need more attention than anticipated during your assessment but you will of course be welcome to book a follow up to complete any assessment or treatment.

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