Why see a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?

Pregnant or had a baby- Why would you see a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist ?

Most people probably think they know what a Physiotherapist does- right? A bit of massage, exercise, helping people after illness or surgery, running on a sports pitch etc. Who knows what a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist does?

The term Pelvic Health Physiotherapist is a relatively new term. We used to be called Obstetric and Gynecological Physiotherapists before a rebrand was felt necessary to Women’s Health Physiotherapists (some still are called this). Then  to reflect the fact that many Women’s Health Physiotherapists treat men with pelvic health issues ( yes they have a pelvic floor too), most are now called Pelvic Health Physiotherapists

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy defines a Physiotherapist as someone who  “helps restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability’.  Pregnancy isn’t a disability or an illness, but it’s definitely a time of great change and injuries can happen.

So why see a specialist Physio?

We have a deeper understanding of the region contained in the middle of our body, the pelvis, and its links to everything else. You know that song “the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone …”  it’s so true – everything is connected. We understand the physical and hormonal changes that occur in women through their lifetime and we have generally undertaken post graduate training around the assessment of the pelvic floor muscles.

What conditions we treat

• Musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy that cause pain- at least 50% of women suffer with back and pelvic pain in pregnancy. There are lots of treatments and advice that can significantly help. Women can be told that it’s normal but what if there were treatments and exercises that could cure or alleviate it? There are by the way!!
• Post birth recovery. I am passionate about helping women to have a full recovery after pregnancy and birth- the biggest change your body will physically go through in life.  The Mummy MOT is an assessment that is aimed to pick up any potential issues with bladder and bowel, back or abdominal recovery and design a bespoke exercise program for you. It really is a fantastic idea (slightly biased but that’s what my clients tell me too!).

Post birth recovery

Within the post birth recovery spectrum you might have problems with bladder or bowel control, pelvic organ prolapse, episiotomy of perineal tear pain, C-section pain. All of these are reasons to seek help from a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy- they are not to be put up with! 

The NHS have Pelvic Health Physiotherapy services and the government has promised to invest more in this service- fingers crossed we can dream of a vision where women not only get their 6 week GP check but also their 6 week Pelvic Health Physio check.  There is also a large group of private Pelvic Health Physiotherapists who are here to help you – seek help don’t suffer in silence.

Becky Aston has been a Specialist Pelvic health Physiotherapist for 20 years in the NHS and in private practice. She now has a clinic in Berkhamsted within easy reach of the A41 and has parking outside- a must for all mums coming for their Mummy MOT as babies are welcome!

www.beckyastonphysiotherapy.co.uk

You may also be interested in our mum & baby Pilates classes

https://centredmums.com/postnatal/pilates-mum-and-baby/