What is pelvic health physiotherapy?
pelvic health physiotherapy
Pelvic health physiotherapy is focused on the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue around your hips, spine, bony pelvis and pelvic floor. These muscles support the pelvic organs, contribute to sexual arousal and orgasm, assist with bladder and bowel control and are crucial for posture and breathing. When they stop working well, pain and symptoms occur that interfere with everyday life. Pelvic physiotherapy can help with a variety of conditions.
Women often find that their pelvic floor muscles weaken after childbirth, or as they age due to the menopause. A weak pelvic floor can lead to a range of issues, including urinary incontinence, prolapse (when muscle or tissue bulges out through the opening), pain with urinating and vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse.
For most patients with these problems, it is not necessary to have surgery. The vast majority can be treated by a physical therapist with specific training in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen. This is a specialist area of physiotherapy that requires advanced postgraduate qualifications, in addition to the normal undergraduate degree. These include a specialist Masters qualification in Physiotherapy with an emphasis on Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health and a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvic area.
What is pelvic health physiotherapy?
During the consultation, your therapist will discuss your specific concerns and symptoms to establish the reason for your problem. They will review your medical history and do a physical examination. They may ask you to do an external exam of your genitals and rectum, as well as an internal exam with a glove and lubricant (if allowed).
If your pelvic floor isn’t working properly, they can recommend exercises that will increase their strength or relax them. They can also use other techniques to treat your condition, such as biofeedback and the manual manipulation of muscles. They can teach you more about your pelvic anatomy and how the different elements work together, and how your lifestyle and hygiene affect your symptoms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to seek advice from your GP if you have any bladder, bowel or pelvic problems. They will decide whether a face-to-face assessment is appropriate and may be able to refer you on for physiotherapy via telephone or video consultation. Alternatively, contact your local Physiotherapy Organisation for advice and a list of registered physiotherapists with specialist interest in this field.