womens-issues-pregnancy

Everyone knows how Physiotherapists can help with injury or sports performance, but not many people know that Physios also deal with many female-only issues, related to pregnancy and other conditions. In fact, treatment is so common that there are many physiotherapists that only deal in women’s health.

How can a physio help with pregnancy?

To answer that question we simply need to define what a physio does – improve mobility, reduce pain. The techniques are the same, but the treatment is different for each patient.

Women’s Health Conditions Treated

  • Continence management
  • Pregnancy Issues
  • Postnatal period
  • Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation
  • Pelvic girdle pain

 

According to The continence foundation of Australia, 33% of Women experience some form of urinary leaking after their first child. Some of the conditions which are experienced include

  • Fear of not being able to hold-on, causing a rush to the bathroom
  • Inability to hold-on, causing some release while trying to reach a bathroom
  • Wanting to pee even though not full
  • Frequent visits to the bathroom, more than before childbirth
  • Involuntary release due to sudden movement
  • Bowel/Wind issues
  • Problems passing urine

 

How can Physiotherapy help you?

Continence management

First, we need to determine what the problem is; if it is bladder issues you may need to speak to a gynaecologist first. Whatever your problem, you are not alone. It can be solved. A common cause is due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, in women, there are 3 openings (men have two). Muscles around these openings are what provide bladder control. Your Women’s health Physiotherapist can help you strengthen this group of muscles to return bladder control. It is very important the muscle strengthening exercises are performed correctly, that is where an experienced physio can help. If done incorrectly it can lead to incontinence.

Pregnancy issues

During pregnancy a woman’s hormones change, one of these causes increased movement around the pelvic region. During this time, the increased movement can cause pain and is vulnerable to injury. Our physiotherapist will show you how to increase the strength of your deep stomach muscles which are known to help combat the negative impact of increased movement around the pelvic region, thereby reducing pain and limiting risk.

Our treatments

Our treatments encompass problems including pre-eclampsia (with fluid retention) and mechanical dysfunction (such as pelvic malalignment).  These conditions (and more) are addressed with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), transcutaneous (non-needles) electro-acupuncture (TCEA), manual therapies (MT), laser acupuncture (LA), manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and home exercise regime (HEP).

Melbourne Physiotherapy | Physiotherapists