Women’s Health Physiotherapy
At Arnhem Physiotherapy, we recognise that for every stage of a woman’s life, there is a particular set of health challenges. Our aim is to educate, support and empower women at each stage, providing help in the areas of continence management, pre and post-natal care and rehabilitation and chronic pelvic pain. For women who have had a mastectomy, we offer rehabilitation care, and for those with osteoporosis or lymphedema, we can prescribe an appropriate exercise program.
We understand that these are sensitive issues and that some are problems many women feel are difficulties that they ‘just have to put up with’ or that are, an inevitable part of growing older. This is definitely not the case! Whatever your problem, and at whatever stage of your life you are at, we can help. Please call us today on (08) 8919 4727 – you do not need a referral – and allow us to help restore you to a better quality of life as quickly as possible.
We Help With Incontinence And Pelvic Floor Problems
The complex muscle structure or hammock that lifts and supports the pelvic organs is vital. It must be strong and able to contract to prevent accidental leakage of urine or faeces, but the muscles must also be able to relax for urination, passing a bowel movement, our enjoyment of sex and during childbirth. If the muscles are too weak, or too tight, pelvic floor problems occur.
Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to urinary or bowel incontinence, feelings of urgency and even pelvic organ prolapse.
In cases where the pelvic floor muscles are too tight, symptoms may include frequency and urgency of urination and incomplete or painful urination as the muscles cannot relax sufficiently to let urine pass. Other symptoms can include painful bowel movements and constipation, unexplained low back pain, pain during intercourse or inserting a tampon and other ongoing pelvic pain.
The good news for women is that after an initial assessment and addressing any problems with pelvic and/or lower back pain a specifically prescribed exercise plan can strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and is able to rectify the symptoms for most women. Clinical Pilates can play an important part in strengthening the muscles that help to support the pelvic floor.
Physiotherapy During Pregnancy
Stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy or in the post-natal period is not something you should delay getting help with as if unresolved, it puts you at greater risk of incontinence later on.
During pregnancy, pelvic girdle pain affects about 20% of women and low back pain, 30% of women. Many of these problems arise from hormones having a relaxing effect on the ligaments supporting the pelvis.
Make your appointment today, with one of the team at Arnhem Physiotherapy to ensure that you can maintain strong pelvic floor muscles throughout your pregnancy and afterwards. Physiotherapy, combined with Pilates exercises to promote pelvic stability and the strength of the muscles supporting the pelvis is invaluable.
During The Post-Natal Period
A visit to a pelvic floor physiotherapist after childbirth (particularly vaginal birth) should be as normal as your 6-week check up with your GP. If you’re having any problems straight after delivery you can book in to see one of our Physio’s trained in Women’s Health as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have any incontinence issues we still recommend everyone have a pelvic floor assessment by a physio from 6 weeks postpartum onwards, to assess for any risk factors to developing problems later on, assess for returning to high impact activity (such as running and jumping) and check the abdominals muscles in your tummy. The early these can be assessed the better outcomes you will gain and help you to lose that post baby pooch!
After A Mastectomy
For those who have had a mastectomy, regardless of whether they have had breast reconstruction, seeking early help from a physiotherapist, is an important step in regaining full function. Post-operative rehabilitation is as individual as each patient is – and always specifically designed for the needs of the individual.
There are many benefits and these include:
– Reduction of pain and oedema at the surgical site, improved sensation
– An improvement in the range of motion and strength of the shoulder
– An improvement in functional mobility
At Arnhem Physiotherapy, patients are also offered Clinical Pilates that can be invaluable in helping lymphedema – please ask us for details about this exercise program.
Call Us Today
We understand that many of the issues we have outlined above are sensitive – and may be difficult to discuss, but understanding your symptoms and how they affect you, is very important in helping us to provide the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for you. Please call us today on (08) 8919 4727 to arrange your initial assessment appointment. One thing is certain, all these problems are ones that we can help you to overcome and get back to enjoying life to the full.
Move Better, Feel Better – BOOK ONLINE or call us now on 08 8919 4727 – No referral needed.
