Women’s health physiotherapy encompasses a range of pelvic health issues and abdominal issues – including pelvic pain, issues with pelvic floor muscles or continence problems, pelvic organ prolapses, abdominal muscle weakness and/or tummy gapping. These issues, and more, can arise during, and post pregnancy and/or, during perimenopause or menopause. Here at W5Physio, Vicky Carey is our specialist Women’s Health Physio and certified Mummy MOT practitioner.
During pregnancy, our bodies are incredibly adaptive but postural and hormonal adaptations that affect ligaments, muscles, and joints, can cause pelvic and lower back issues. Women’s health physiotherapy can help ease the symptoms and provide vital exercises to help facilitate a pain free pregnancy, as well as helping with delivery.
Postnatally, it may be that aches and pains persist, or occur for the first time in your pelvis or in your back, or you may notice an increased need to go to the loo, perhaps with a slight loss of full control. You may be aware that your abdominal muscles are a bit wobbly or gapping in the centre. These issues and more, can be fully assessed and treated with a Mummy MOT. You can book in for your Mummy MOT assessment whether you have just had your baby (once you have had your 6-week GP check) or maybe it was months or even years ago that you gave birth. Either way, It’s never too late to address these issues. Or, maybe, you don’t have any concerns but would just like an MOT check to confirm all is okay?
Whether you are a new mum, or mum of older children, whether you are concerned about a particular issue, or simply would like a postnatal check, why not book in for your Mummy MOT assessment?
In perimenopause and menopause, as oestrogen levels reduce more significantly, so too do both collagen and elastin levels (found in various structure including ligaments, tendons and bones) due to the effect oestrogen has both on collagen synthesis and elastin repair. As a result, you may find that you get more aches and pains around this time, or notice general conditioning or postural issues, or even become more susceptible to injuries. More specifically, pelvic floor muscle weakness, continence issues and symptoms of prolapse can perhaps increase or, even develop for the first-time during menopause. Perhaps you’ve even had a gynae surgical procedure.
Women’s health physiotherapy, including pelvic floor muscle rehab, soft tissue and visceral release techniques, exercise advice and postural correction can all help to alleviate your symptoms.
Book yourself in for a Women’s Health Physio session if you have any concerns.
