pelvic health physio

If you are looking for a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist in East Sheen, then you have come to the right place. A pelvic health physiotherapist is trained to treat the muscles of the lumbar spine, sacrum and sacroiliac joints and the muscles that attach to and surround the lower back, inner thighs and abdomen. In addition, they can also treat the muscles of the pelvic floor, which include the uterus (female), prostate (male) and bladder. These muscles work together to provide support for the pelvic organs and bowel, help with sexual and urogenital function and assist with posture and breathing. When these muscles aren’t working as they should, pain and other symptoms may occur.

In order to assess these muscles, the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen will use an internal exam which for females usually includes a vaginal and/or rectal examination. This can be a bit of an uncomfortable experience but our physiotherapists will walk you through the process and ensure that you are comfortable with it. This is the best way for the physiotherapist to identify any problem areas and start treatment immediately.

A treatment plan is then developed and may include manual therapy, such as massage, manipulation and mobilisation, electrotherapy (ultrasound, interferential etc) acupuncture and exercise prescription. They can also teach you how to manage your symptoms with self-management strategies and education on pelvic floor muscle function. Depending on your symptoms and problem areas, your physiotherapist may recommend the following treatments:

What does a pelvic health physio do?

For patients with painful or tight muscles of the pelvic floor or core, the physical therapist might apply a trigger point release technique to release these tight, knotted muscles. This is done by applying pressure on a trigger point to alleviate the pain and tightness. This is typically done in conjunction with other pain treatments such as heat or cold, injections or a combination of these techniques.

If you are experiencing interstitial cystitis (IC), which is a bladder disorder, your physiotherapist may suggest the use of a device called an intermittent self-urination system. This helps train you to activate the right muscles and avoid bladder spasms.

Electrical stimulation uses electrodes placed on the skin and/or inside the vagina or anal canal to send a gentle electrical impulse to stimulate or retrain muscle weakness, reduce pain, spasms and swelling. Portable units are available for home use.

For some women, the most effective treatment is vaginal dilators to relax the muscles in and around the vagina for a smoother examination and more comfortable sexual intercourse or during labour. For a variety of reasons, including childbirth, surgery or radiation, a woman’s muscles can weaken over time. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help retrain these muscles, improve posture, relieve pain and discomfort and increase a woman’s confidence in everyday life, sports and activities. They can also help prevent and treat complications from these conditions, such as endometriosis.