Sportswise offers a pelvic health physiotherapy service led by pelvic health specialist Jo Aston.  This is aimed at any individual who is suffering with a range of conditions affecting the pelvic region from a gynecology, urology, obstetric or pain perspective. These health issues are often embarrassing and not talked about but can hugely affect our day to day function and impact quality of life. By listening and asking the right questions we will develop a treatment plan aimed at improving your symptoms and fulfilling your goals.

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Women’s Health

From the day we are born, as women our hormones drive how our body functions. By understanding these different hormonal stages from menstruation through to pregnancy and the menopause, we aim to help improve symptoms that may arise with these changes.

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Pelvic floor dysfunction is often at the core of many of these problems. A well functioning pelvic floor will give us pelvic organ support, keep us continent and have an important role in sexual function. Either weakness or tension in these muscles can lead to distressing symptoms, so targeting the pelvic floor is one of the first lines of treatment. It may be you require a guided hands on approach to exercising these muscles correctly or manual therapy and breath work to help decrease their activity. Lifestyle and habitual behaviors also play an integral part in how these systems operate so this too will also be addressed.

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Please see below for a more comprehensive list of the conditions we can treat and what is involved in an assessment with our pelvic health physiotherapist.

• Stress urinary incontinence: Leaking urine during a run, cough or sneeze.

• Urinary frequency, urgency and urge incontinence: The feeling of needing to empty the bladder frequently and/or rush to get to the toilet in time, often accompanied with loss of control of urine.

• Faecal/flatus incontinence: The loss of control of bowels and/or wind.

• Faecal urgency: The feeling of needing to empty the bowel with little warning.

• Obstructive defecation: Difficulty emptying the bowels.

• Pelvic pain/vulval pain/dyspareunia: Pain with sexual intercourse and/or chronic pain in the pelvic region.

• Perineal trauma: Injury to the pelvic floor from childbirth.

• Pelvic organ prolapse: Anterior or posterior vaginal wall and uterine decent.

• Pregnancy and postnatal related musculoskeletal conditions: Pelvic girdle pain, back pain, coccyx pain, hip pain, rib pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Men's health: Bladder and bowel care after prostate surgery, pelvic floor training for erectile dysfunction, bowel care following bowel surgery, and pelvic pain.

• Postnatal Mum Check - This specific appointment is designed for any mother – whether delivered 6 weeks ago or 6 years ago! Many new mums are left feeling in the dark about their bodies in the postnatal period and this check is designed to empower and educate you on the recovery process following pregnancy and childbirth. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or caesarean section and whether you have specific symptoms or are making a good recovery, this appointment is vital for every woman. By optimising your recovery you can maximize your postnatal potential and reduce the risk of any long term pelvic floor dysfunction. The appointment can be made anytime from 6 weeks post delivery and will include:​

  • A postural, pelvis and back assessment.

  • Abdominal muscle assessment and check for separation and activation of these muscles.

  • Teaching of abdominal muscle re-education and signposting for further recovery and exercise advice.

  • Pelvic floor assessment with an internal examination to check for strength and exercise and breathing technique.

  • Assessment of any bladder, bowel or prolapse symptoms.

 

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Men’s Health

Men can also suffer with many complaints related to pelvic floor dysfunction. It is often harder for men to reach out for these services but many of these conditions can be treated and managed. This may be weakness following surgery for prostate cancer, bladder or bowel symptoms, pain or sexual dysfunction. There are many strategies aimed at treating these symptoms and improving quality of life.

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The Assessment and Treatment

Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of these issues our assessment will be conducted in a safe and private environment at the clinic. A thorough history will be taken of your symptoms, overall health and lifestyle. Most patients will be offered an internal examination in order to assess the tissues and pelvic floor for strength, tension or any discomfort. This is either done vaginally or rectally depending on the nature of your symptoms.

 

If you have any further questions about this aspect of the session then please don’t hesitate to contact our physiotherapist in advance. 

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Treatments may involve education, lifestyle changes, bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, external and internal manual therapy, relaxation and breathing techniques, acupuncture, taping, support on returning to exercise post surgery or pregnancy, advice on the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, pessarys and the menopause.

 

If we feel you require further support we have a network of expert consultants and health professionals to refer you to. 

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