Women's health Women's health
Women’s health
Women’s health physiotherapists are musculoskeletal physiotherapists who have undertaken specialist training in the treatment of all conditions relating to women.
The Studio’s women’s health physiotherapists understand both the physical and emotional impact that certain conditions can have on a woman’s life and are passionate about providing pro-active, sensitive and holistic support.
If you’re not feeling yourself, you’re not alone. These issues are very common, and there are so many options available to help you. We understand that addressing sensitive health issues can feel daunting and our women’s health team offer care, as well as expertise, to ensure that you can achieve the best possible outcome.
We can help with
- Pelvic or pregnancy related dysfunction
- Birth preparation
- Postpartum recovery of the abdominal wall and/or pelvic floor
- Sexual pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Urinary/faecal incontinence
- Coping with physical changes that may occur during menopause.
Initial women’s health consultations are 60 minutes, giving us time to listen to you, understand your concerns, lifestyle requirements, and most importantly, your individual goals.
How we assess you will depend on how your symptoms present, and how comfortable you feel in your first appointment. A posture and movement screen will always be performed to identify any external factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
A real-time ultrasound machine may be used to gain a deeper understanding of your abdominal wall and pelvic floor function.
Our women’s health physiotherapists are trained to perform internal pelvic floor assessments which can offer the most thorough insight into pelvic dysfunction. An internal assessment will only be performed when deemed necessary and never without your informed consent.
Necessary treatment will be performed from your first appointment and a management plan will be created to guide your ongoing treatment.
A pessary is a device that fits into the vagina to help support and relieve the symptoms of a prolapse of the uterus, bladder and/or rectum (bottom of the bowel) or symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. It can be a very effective, non-invasive way to relieve your symptoms and allow you to feel comfortable and move with confidence.
It is important to have a thorough pelvic examination with a women's health physiotherapist to determine the cause/s of a potential prolapse and the appropriate course of treatment to best manage your individual symptoms. If a pessary is recommended, this will need to be fitted properly and reviewed at intervals as guided by the physiotherapist. Note it may take several tries to get the right pessary for each person. This is very normal.
If you have been recommended a pessary or think this may be appropriate for you, book in for a women's health initial appointment and your physiotherapist will determine a customised management plan for you.
Urinary incontinence
effects between 35-37% of women worldwide
1 in 3 women
experience urinary incontinence within the first 3 months following baby delivery
5% of women
experience anal incontinence up to 1 year post vaginal delivery
11% of the world’s population
have an overactive bladder
25.4% of women
have persistent pelvic pain, which is often associated with pelvic floor dysfunction
Regular exercise
has been shown to have positive health benefits (including mental health) for both postpartum and menopausal women
This shows just how common many of these problems are – but common doesn’t mean normal and there is so much you can do if you’re struggling with pelvic health. Don’t get into a Google spiral, don’t despair – come and talk to one of our caring, qualified women’s health physios and take the first step towards feeling better.
At The Studio, we are truly passionate about the care of women throughout ALL life stages. We believe every woman is unique and deserves individualised care, tailored to their needs. From adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause, we are here to help make your journey easier.
