Ante/Postnatal
Pregnancy can cause a significant strain on the body, therefore women will experience changes that will potentially cause problems and impact on quality of life. These changes can cause pain and dysfunction so it is important to get help as soon as possible to allow the body to return to its optimum function.
I offer an individual assessment to meet your needs and help you get back to your pre-pregnancy state.
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Pelvic girdle pain is a common complaint during pregnancy and 70% of pregnant women will experience some degree of discomfort.
Pain is felt anywhere around the pelvic/buttock/leg/hip area and generally resolves after pregnancy. Specialist physiotherapy can help to improve pain and function and stop symptoms from getting worse.
How I can help...
I will assess your postural alignment, range of movement of your pelvis, hip and spinal joints and assess muscle strength and control. I can then create an individual treatment plan. These treatments may include:
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Exercise
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Manual therapy/joint mobilisation
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Soft tissue release
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Postural correction
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Advice on activity modification.
Stomach Muscle Separation
It is normal for the abdominal muscles to have a degree of separation during pregnancy to allow for the growing foetus. However, sometimes the separation can cause dysfunction. You may notice your tummy looks and feels different and you may notice some doming. There may also be abdominal or low back pain and the chance of bladder problems.
How I can help...
I can formulate a treatment plan that will help you to improve the abdominal muscle tone/appearance and general function. Treatments may include:
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Individualised exercises
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Postural correction/advice
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Breathing pattern re-education
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Soft tissue release
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Joint mobilisations
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Activity modification.
Bladder and Bowel
The pelvic floor muscles help with the continence mechanism of the bladder and bowel. During pregnancy the muscles weaken through hormonal changes and carrying of the baby. Delivery can also weaken these muscles further.
It is common to notice bladder and bowel changes but it is not normal. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms through pregnancy and beyond, physiotherapy can help.
How I can help...
I will discuss your symptoms and assess your pelvic floor muscles. I can then formulate a treatment plan. Treatments may include:
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Pelvic floor muscle re-education
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Bladder re-training
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Fluid management
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Techniques to improve constipation
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Dietary advice.
Pain and Discomfort
It is common to feel uncomfortable down below after pregnancy and childbirth. It could be the result of pelvic organ prolapse or from pelvic floor muscle pain.
How I can help...
I will assess your symptoms and examine your pelvic floor muscle function. I can then formulate a treatment plan. Treatments may include:
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Pelvic floor muscle re-training
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Pelvic floor muscle release exercises
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Breathing pattern re-education
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Manual therapy
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Soft tissue release
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General exercise/activity modification.
Positive Postnatal Check
The body goes through many changes during pregnancy and childbirth. I provide a specialist post-natal assessment after both vaginal and caesarean section delivery to screen for dysfunction.
How I can help...
A post-natal check can be beneficial at anytime whether it is 6 weeks or 10 years post-natal
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Assess postural alignment
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Assess pelvic floor muscle function (internal examination is offered)
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Assess abdominal wall function and separation
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Screen for bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction
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Provide advice on safe return to exercise
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Provide advice on safe techniques for day to day activities
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A personalised post-natal rehab programme tailored to your needs.