As a Physiotherapists who specialises in Women’s Health I have completed specialist post-graduate training. This is something I have undertaken to ensure I have the knowledge and skills to assess and manage women presenting with concerns through their lifespan.
Book a Specialist Women’s Health Appointment
Symptoms you may be having:
There are a variety of symptoms women can present with. These can include:
- Urinary urgency, leaking, incomplete emptying
- Bowel urgency, leaking, difficulty emptying
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain – this can be from a number of conditions including endometriosis, bladder pain syndrome.
- Musculoskeletal pain: back pain, coccyx pain,
- Post-natal concerns
- Post surgery: abdominal surgery, c.section, laparoscopic surgery
- Problems from scars including pain, altered sensation, tightness, appearance
- Concerns starting or progressing with exercise
- Menopausal Symptoms
- Pain with intercourse
At your first Women’s Health Physiotherapy appointment a detailed assessment will take place which will look at the problems you are presenting with. You may asked if you are happy to undergo a vaginal examination. The pelvic floor muscles can be assessed internally to look at their strength, coordination and function. Quite often there can be dysfunction in these muscles contributing to your symptoms. It will be discuss why this assessment can be beneficial, how it will add to your assessment findings and what is involved. The assessment would only ever be performed with your consent. You may prefer not to have an examination there and then and have time to think about it; this is absolutely fine. You may prefer not to have an examination at all and this is also fine.
I have trained in the use of ultrasound guided pelvic imaging. This may be available in clinic.
I have training in the use of EMG biofeedback and NMES (Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulation) for pelvic floor management.
Treatments
Normally a combination of treatments will be used to help your presenting problems. These can include; advice, education, exercise programme, hands on techniques such as soft tissue therapy (which can be external or internal), acupuncture, visceral therapy, biofeedback, electrical stimulation.
