There are many bladder complaints that a Women’s Health Physio deals with.

This includes urinary incontinence, bladder urgency /frequency and voiding dysfunctions.

Treatments include working on the back and pelvis and pelvic floor, suitable exercise, bladder training and management. The use of electrical stimulation may also be a useful tool for some complaints.

Bladder pain can also be addressed such as in the case of women with endometriosis or any other complaint creating pain.

Good bowel function is key to wellness. Non-optimal bowel function can impact on the function of the bladder, create pain and discomfort (bladder/rectal/vaginal/abdominal/back), impact on prolapse and haemorrhoids.

Issues addressed in physio include education on bowel function and management, suitable defecation techniques, general dietary advice, movement and exercise including pelvic floor work and bowel training strategies.

Interferential and electrical stimulation may also be used to assist some complaints.

There are many causes and types of pelvic pain. Each patient is individually assessed and managed using an informed trauma care approach as well as considering the whole person’s story. The framework of treatment centres around a biopsychosocial approach. This approach often uses questionnaires to assist in this process to suitably implement a variety of manual therapy techniques, exercise and self-help strategies. Referral to other health professionals may also assist with resolving pain, such as psychologist/counsellor, naturopath or medical specialists for further investigation.

Common pain presentations include:

• Vulvodynia

• Vaginismus

• Dyspareunia

• Bladder and rectal pain

• Overactive or tight pelvic floor

• Endometriosis

• Birth trauma

• Post gynaecological surgery or cancer treatments

• Menopausal changes

Breastfeeding can often come with the challenges of mastitis or blocked ducts.

A lactation consultant is key in helping with any breast-feeding issues.

Physiotherapy offers Ultrasound treatment to assist with freeing up the blockages and basic breastfeeding support.

Pelvic floor dysfunction can create or add to many different symptoms e.g. – pain, leakage

A vaginal examination will allow a detailed assessment of how your pelvic floor is actually functioning.

Is it weak, loose, tight, protective or painful? The answer is not always pelvic floor exercises, Kegels.

The pelvic floor like every other muscle must be able to function in a variety of different ways.

Breath work, meditation, manual therapy and exercises are the common tools use to help the pelvic floor function better.

Electrical stimulation maybe required for some. Vaginal weights and other biofeedback devices can also benefit some women.

Physiotherapy provides education and suitable treatments for the management of pelvic organ prolapse. A pessary may also be of benefit to help support a prolapse. Your suitability to a pessary can be assessed and an appropriate fitting can also be done.

Pelvic organ prolapse is where a pelvic organ descends and moves from its normal place in the pelvis due to an overstretch or a tearing of the support structures to the organ. It is often felt as a bulge or a heaviness in the vagina or rectum. Sometimes it can create pain with sexual activity or can impact on the normal function of the pelvic organs.

It can occur after giving birth but also can be experienced by those women who have never given birth. Much fear is associated with finding a prolapse. Physiotherapy aims to settle your fears and assist you to avoid surgery where possible.

Pessaries are support devices which are inserted into the vagina to assist with support of a prolapse or help with urinary incontinence issues. A variety of different pessaries are available at Women’s Works Physio.

Once you have had your baby a postnatal check will provide you with information on how your body has come through the birth whether it be a vaginal birth or a C-section.

This includes and screening of the abdominals checking for and Diastasis (separation)and an assessment of the lumbopelvic region or any other Musculoskeletal regions of concern.

A vaginal examination is recommended to check for prolapse, pelvic floor function and general tissue mobility from things such as tears and scars.

A post birth check will provide you with an understanding of how to suitably recover from birth including return to sexual activity, exercise and the demands of motherhood. In addition, if you are experiencing any bladder or bowel symptoms, pain or mastitis issues these can also be addressed. You don’t need to have symptoms to be assessed.

Physiotherapy can guide you through your upcoming surgery and assist you to suitably rehabilitate after to optimise your recovery and return to safe exercise and activity.

Common surgeries include hysterectomy, prolapse repairs, bladder and bowel surgeries and breast surgery.

Breast surgery can include lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction.

Many complaints of back and external pelvic pain actually have inputs from the internal pelvic tissues. A regular physio might not be able to help you with this but may suggest you seek a more specialised review with a Women’s Health Physio.

A detailed history and examination including a vaginal examination may reveal that your pelvic floor, pelvic tissues, joints maybe contributing to or be the source of your symptoms.

Offering education, exercise and hands on techniques to prepare you for birth and prevent pelvic floor issues. As a Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner there are a vast array of techniques that can be used to allow more space for better positioning of the baby in the pelvis, promoting a better birthing experience.

The management of back pain and pelvic pain are also services offered to allow a more comfortable pregnancy and more optimal birthing experience.

What is scar therapy information sheet

Self-care for your scar information sheet

Jo has been an accredited Spinning Babies practitioner since 2022, gaining her accreditation from the Australian Spinning babies educators and birth workers Jenny Blyth and Fiona Hallinan.

Jo has also completed additional training with Jenny Blyth through her educational program Birth Work down under.

Women undergoing cancer treatments with or without surgeries often feel lost after the more aggressive treatment and medical management has past.

Knowing how to navigate life can be difficult and managing things such as medically induced menopausal changes, weakness and deconditioning, scar management and sexual dysfunction can seem over whelming.

Physio will guide you through and be your supporter with education, exercise, scar management, menopausal changes, bladder and bowel changes and whatever else may have come your way.

A VBAC is a vaginal birth after C Section.
If you are considering a vbac Jo can assist you with preparing for a VBAC.

Jo has done additional training completing Hazel Keedles VBAC workshop in 2023 and has been working in the birth space for many years.

Jo works with a hub of Midwives and other birthworkers to further her knowledge about better birth as she does not attend births.

She is also there to ensure your voice is heard to be able to be considered for a VBAC. Sessions include

•  Trauma informed care.

• Understanding physiological birth and the pelvic changes.

• Birth preparation and discussions on birthing with confidence.

• Hands on - Body work, internal pelvic floor work.

• Exercises for opening the pelvic Bowl and birth preparation.

• Connecting you with like minded birthworkers - midwives, doulas, yoga therapists , acupuncturists, calmbirth /hyponobirth educators.

• Respecting medical intervention when required.