Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Even though pelvic floor challenges are common, they are treatable and you should not have to live with them. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can help you regain control, maximize function and recovery, and improve your well being. An internal examination is required to treat the pelvic floor.
Fertility
Many conditions that cause pelvic pain, such as endometriosis, interstitial cystitis and pelvic congestion syndrome have also been connected to infertility. The combined care of fertility specialists and physiotherapists has led to increasingly successful outcomes. The WOMB’s pelvic health physiotherapists use a combination of evidence-based manual therapies, neuro-modulation techniques and exercise prescription to optimize your pelvic region’s health so that your body is more receptive to conception.
Pregnancy and Birth
Pelvic girdle pain is very common during pregnancy and is characterized by pain in the pelvic region that is worse when you are changing positions – such as rolling over in bed. In addition to treating this problem, The WOMB’s physiotherapists will help you prepare for birth by teaching you about the pushing stage, and your function post-birth. Research studies confirm that women who learn how to properly train their pelvic floors during pregnancy have shorter, less painful labors, less soft tissue damage and faster recoveries.
Postpartum
The pelvic floor muscles are like any other skeletal muscle in the body and they need to be restored after childbirth – whether vaginally or by caesarean. Through specialization in pelvic floor rehabilitation, The WOMB’s pelvic health physiotherapists ensure that any bladder issues (“leaking with laughing”), connective tissue separation of your abdomen (“mummy tummy” or diastasis recti) and/or any lingering causes of pelvic or back pain, are all corrected for optimal physical function.
Beyond
In the stage of menopause, your body, including your pelvis changes due to fluctuations in your hormones, namely a reduction in your estrogen. Bone and bladder health are two areas of key consideration during this time. Applying their expertise in urogynecology, The WOMB’s pelvic health physiotherapists can assist you in restoring your bladder function and optimizing overall mobility.
Pessary Fittings – Locations: Burlington & Milton
Pessaries are medical-grade devices that support the vaginal walls. Pelvic organ prolapse is a falling down of the bladder, uterus or rectum. A prolapse can contribute to stress urinary incontinence (leaking with coughing, laughing, sneezing, activity). If you feel you might benefit from a pessary or if you have been referred for a pessary fitting by another health care provider (family doctor, urologist, gynecologist or other pelvic health physiotherapists), please contact The WOMB by phone to set up this specialized appointment. If you’re not sure if a pessary would be suitable, set up a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Initial Assessment where you can decide together if using a pessary is right for you.
Paediatric Pelvic Health – Locations: Burlington & Milton
Pelvic floor dysfunction is very common in children and yet, extremely under-serviced. Most paediatric primary care visits are for incontinence (enuresis), bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) and constipation. Paediatric pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a wide range of issues that occur when the pelvic floor muscles are weak, in spasm or too tight. The WOMB’s physiotherapists use a holistic approach that includes education and counselling related to needed lifestyle or behaviour changes, specific maul therapy techniques and exercise/movement prescription. In addition, physiotherapists work closely with other members of The WOMB team and extend to colleagues in the department of paediatrics at McMaster University to address all of the related factors that underlie pelvic floor dysfunction.