Many women come see a physio due to issues with urgency, frequency or incontinence, often embarrassed about issues ‘downstairs’. What many women don’t realise though, is how common these issues are, but also that they are often easily treatable.
The most common cause of pelvic problems is pregnancy and childbirth, however incontinence can affect women of any age as well as men! Yes men do have pelvic floor muscles and can also suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction!
At PMPP we are able to assess pelvic floor activation using RealTime Ultrasound. This is a really useful imagery tool to observe whether patients are able to activate and ‘lift’ the correct muscles, or see whether instead they are bracing and bearing down the pelvic floor which can lead to issues such as leakage or in severe cases prolapse. If Pelvic floor muscle weakness is identified, we can help teach you how to activate and strengthen the Pelvic floor, together with the deep abdominal muscles which often work in synergy.
We also have a strong relationship with specialist physiotherapists (such as www.cliftonhillphysiotherapy.com.au/kiera-hannigan) that deal primarily with Women’s and Men’s health, and can determine when we need to refer on. Whilst many people will improve with a thorough pelvic floor strengthening program, it is important to determine when this is not enough and as such we liase with other specialised healthcare practitioners. We also often refer on when clients complain of:
- Long standing bladder and bowel problems
- Vulva pain
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Prostatitis
- Sexual dysfunction
If you suffer from any of the following issues, don’t hesitate to speak to one of our physiotherapists who can lead you in the right direction:
- Leakage when you cough, sneeze or exercise
- Waking frequently at night for the toilet
- Inability to get to the toilet in time
- Poor control of wind or bowel movements
- Strong, sudden urgency to pass urine
- Difficulty emptying the bowel or bladder
- Heaviness in the pelvic region
- Pain with pelvic function
- Burning, itching or sharp pelvic pain
For more information also check out http://www.continence.org.au/ .There is a useful free app providing examples of pelvic floor exercises.
– Sheree