Women’s health physiotherapy is a specialised branch of physiotherapy that focuses on the unique needs and challenges faced by women in relation to their pelvic health. This area of physiotherapy covers a wide range of conditions, from prenatal and postpartum care to pelvic pain and incontinence. Our physiotherapist, Katie Jeffrey, is passionate about pelvic health, and is currently studying her Master’s in Pelvic Health and Continence at Curtin University. Keep reading to find out how our Women’s health services could help you!
Prenatal Care
Women’s health physiotherapy can help prepare the body for pregnancy and childbirth. During pregnancy, the body undergoes numerous changes, including hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, and postural changes. Physiotherapists can provide advice on exercise and movement to help alleviate discomfort during pregnancy and prepare for childbirth. They can also help manage conditions such as pelvic girdle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diastasis recti, back, neck and hip pain.
Postpartum Care
After childbirth, women’s health physiotherapy can help with the recovery process. This includes rehabilitation for pelvic floor muscles, which may have been weakened during pregnancy and childbirth, advice around c-section recovery and safe return to exercise after childbirth. Physiotherapists can provide pelvic floor muscle training, and strategies to manage incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms.
Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain is a common condition that affects many women, and women’s health physiotherapy can help. Physiotherapists can use various techniques, such as manual therapy and soft tissue release to help to reduce muscle tone. They can also teach relaxation techniques and exercises to improve muscle strength and coordination, which can help manage pain.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Physiotherapists are well placed to assess and manage pelvic organ prolapse. Physiotherapists will provide education around safe and appropriate exercise, strategies to reduce symptoms and pelvic floor strengthening exercises to reduce the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common problem that can occur at any stage of life. Women’s health physiotherapy can help women with incontinence by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which play a crucial role in bladder control. Physiotherapists can teach exercises, to help women learn how to contract and relax their pelvic floor muscles, which can help to improve bladder control.
And finally…
Women’s health physiotherapy is an important area of physiotherapy that can benefit women at every stage of life. Whether you are preparing for pregnancy, recovering from childbirth, managing pelvic pain, or dealing with incontinence, women’s health physiotherapy can provide personalised care and support.
If you are experiencing any issues related to your pelvic health make an appointment with Katie, or call 08 9381 2964 for more information.