Women’s Health & Continence

(Men & Women)

Pre-Natal Care

Changes to muscles, ligament and joints during and after pregnancy can affect the whole body. Physiotherapists can help women to manage these changes by providing expert care and advice during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

Our principal physiotherapist has been conducting group and one on one ante natal education for expectant parents for many years. We offer skills and advice on prenatal exercises, posture and pain in pregnancy, breathing awareness, positioning for labour, childbirth and beyond as well as treatment to help painful conditions which may arise during and after pregnancy.

Post-Natal Care

The physical (and emotional) changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy and birth are quite amazing!

Pregnancy and post-natal (post-baby) issues commonly include pain in the low back, hips, groin and hands, as well as pelvic floor problems such as incontinence and prolapse. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are often an important part in helping many of these issues. Every person is different so finding out why you have a problem or when it is safe for you to resume exercise is essential.

We use ‘Real Time Ultrasound’ to assess the pelvic floor muscles (we can see the how the muscles are working on a screen) which is a useful tool when managing incontinence issues and providing an appropriate management program. Returning to exercise too soon after delivery can cause problems with continence and pain, immediately or in the longer term. Our physiotherapists can determine if you are ready to return to exercise and help formulate an exercise plan that is safe and appropriate.

Further information is available at the following websites:

https://choose.physio/your-lifestage/motherhood/pre-and-post-natal

Continence Foundation of Australia

Pelvic Floor First

CONTINENCE

WOMEN

Continence issues can effect women and men of all ages and leaking of urine ( or LBL as it is now commonly referred to ) is NOT OK!

We use ‘Real Time Ultrasound’ to assess the pelvic floor muscles (we can see how the muscles are working on a screen) which is a useful tool to when providing an appropriate management program.

MEN

Physiotherapists can also help men regain continence following prostate surgery. Most men are diagnosed with prostate cancer when blood tests by their GP show a rising PSA level. A biopsy performed by a urologist will then determine the diagnosis. If surgery is required (a radical prostatectomy) referral to a physiotherapist for pelvic floor muscle training 4 – 6 weeks PRIOR to surgery is recommended if possible.

Once cleared by the Urologist or GP men are encouraged to undertake supervised exercise to encourage full recovery and maximise cardiovascular and sexual function, strength and endurance. This has been shown to give the best results long term and there is strong evidence to support the benefits of exercise in the management and recovery of all types of cancer.