What is a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?
It all begins with an idea.
What is a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist? A Quick Guide
Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialised field within physiotherapy that focuses on diagnosing and treating issues related to the pelvic region. This area of physiotherapy is designed to address conditions affecting the pelvic floor, which includes the muscles, ligaments, and tissues supporting the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. But what exactly does a pelvic health physiotherapist do, and how can they help? Let’s dive in.
What Does a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Do?
Assess and Diagnose
They perform thorough assessments to identify pelvic floor issues. This can include physical exams and sometimes internal assessments to check muscle strength and function.
Create Treatment Plans
Based on the assessment, they develop personalised treatment plans. These often include exercises, manual therapy, and strategies to help you to manage symptoms.
Educate and Advise
They educate about conditons and life stages that relate to changes in a persons pelvic health (e.g post natal, menopause). This education helps patients take control of their condition.
Use Manual Therapy
They use therapeutic techniques to relieve muscle tension, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Provide Support
They offer emotional support and help patients understand their conditions and treatment options.
Common Conditions Treated
Pelvic health physiotherapists can help with:
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): Leaking urine during activities like coughing or exercising.
Pelvic Pain: Discomfort in the pelvic region from various causes.
Postpartum Recovery: Assistance with recovery and pelvic floor issues after childbirth.
Fecal Incontinence: Difficulty controlling bowel movements.
Prolapse: When pelvic organs drop from their normal position, causing discomfort.
Why See a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?
Specialized Expertise
They have specific training in pelvic health that general physiotherapists might not have.
Non-Surgical Options
They offer effective, non-surgical treatments for pelvic health issues.
Personalized Care
Treatment plans are customized to fit your needs and lifestyle.
Holistic Approach
They address both symptoms and underlying causes, focusing on overall well-being.
Pre and Post Partum Physiotherapy
It all begins with an idea.
The Benefits of Pre and Postnatal Physiotherapy: What You Need to Know
Pregnancy and childbirth bring about incredible changes to a persons body, which can lead to various physical challenges. Pre and postnatal physiotherapy offers targeted support to address these challenges, promoting a healthier pregnancy and smoother recovery.
What is Pre and Postnatal Physiotherapy?
Pre-natal Physiotherapy: Pre-natal physiotherapy focuses on preparing the body for the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. Key elements include:
Managing Pain and Discomfort: Physiotherapists can help relieve common pregnancy-related issues like back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica through targeted exercises and manual therapy.
Exercise and adaptations: As the body changes throughout each trimester, Physiotherapists provide exercises to improve movement tolerances and strengthen muscles.
Pelvic Floor Education: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles helps support the growing uterus and can prevent or manage issues such as urinary incontinence.
Preparing for Labour: Physiotherapists offer strategies and exercises to prepare the body for labor, potentially making the process smoother and less painful.
Post-natal Physiotherapy: Post-natal physiotherapy focuses on recovery after childbirth, helping new mothers regain strength and function. Key benefits include:
Recovery from Childbirth: Physiotherapists assist with recovery from vaginal or cesarean deliveries, addressing issues like perineal pain, abdominal separation (diastasis recti), and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Rebuilding Strength and Fitness: They design exercise programs to help rebuild strength, whilst considering post-partum recovery needs (e.g sleep, nutrition).
Managing Postnatal Pain: Relief from common postnatal issues such as back pain or pelvic discomfort, helping parents to adapt to the physical demands of caring for a newborn.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: They provide exercises to restore pelvic floor function, addressing issues such as urinary incontinence or prolapse that may arise after childbirth.
How ACC MBI Cover Supports Your Physiotherapy Needs:
In New Zealand, ACC provides support for injury-related healthcare costs through various covers. Since October 2022 this now includes Maternal Birth Injury (MBI) cover. Here’s how it works:
What is ACC MBI Cover? ACC MBI cover is designed to assist with the costs of medical treatment related to injuries, including those arising from pregnancy and childbirth. This includes pre and postnatal physiotherapy.
How to Access ACC MBI Cover: To access ACC MBI cover for pre and postnatal physiotherapy, you’ll need to have an injury claim accepted by ACC. A physiotherapist can help you with the paperwork and guide you through the process.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
It all begins with an idea.
Managing Stress Urinary Incontinence: The Benefits of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common issue where urine leaks during activities that put pressure on the bladder, like coughing or exercising. It affects millions and can significantly impact daily life. Thankfully, pelvic health physiotherapy offers a non-surgical solution to manage and improve SUI. Here’s how:
What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?
SUI can occur when the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and urethra, become weakened. Factors like pregnancy, aging, obesity, and high-impact activities can contribute to this condition.
Benefits of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles
Pelvic health physiotherapy focuses on strengthening the pelvic floor through exercises like Kegels. Studies, including those in The Cochrane Library, show these exercises can significantly reduce SUI symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Enhances Bladder Control
Techniques such as bladder training are used to help control urinary urges. Research shows that combining these techniques with pelvic floor exercises can effectively reduce leakage and frequency.
Customized Treatment
Physiotherapists tailor and supervise treatment plans to each individual, ensuring a personalised approach. This customisation makes treatment more effective by addressing specific needs.
Safe and Non-Invasive
Pelvic health physiotherapy is a non-invasive method, avoiding the risks which can be associated with surgery or medication.
Education and Self-Management
Education on proper exercise techniques, lifestyle modifications and a whole body approah can help manage SUI long-term.
Pelvic health physiotherapy provides a proven, non-surgical approach to managing stress urinary incontinence. By strengthening the pelvic floor, improving bladder control, and offering individual care, it helps individuals regain control and overall improve quality of life. For those experiencing SUI, consulting a pelvic health physiotherapist could be an effective step towards improvement and long term self management.
