Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialist area of physiotherapy targeted to issues surrounding the pelvis and pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is made up of thick layers of muscles and ligaments supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, small intestine, uterus and vagina).
The pelvic floor has many key roles such as helping support the pelvic organs, bladder and bowel control, sexual satisfaction and core stability. Despite these key roles the pelvic floor is very often overlooked and problems can easily arise.
Some of the issues pelvic health physiotherapy targets:
- Pregnancy related pain – most commonly pelvic girdle pain, back pain and sciatica
- Post-natal physiotherapy (See Mummy MOT)
- Leaking of urine during activity
- Frequently and urgently needing to pass urine
- Pelvic organ prolapse – this may present as a heavy/dragging sensation in your vagina
- Pelvic pain
- Diastasis recti (tummy muscle separation)
After a thorough assessment, a treatment plan will target your current problem and underlying causes. Pelvic floor muscles become weak, too tight or painful for many reasons. Therefore, treatment modalities vary according to your needs
Pelvic health physiotherapy treatment consists of:
- Individualised exercise programmes to improve strength and flexibility of the pelvic floor, core and hip muscles
- Advice on lifestyle changes to reduce the chance of symptoms increasing
- Joint mobilisation techniques
- Soft tissue mobilisation
- Acupuncture
- Advice of equipment – pelvic belts, elbow crutches, clothing advice
