The pelvic floor is a sling of muscles found at the base of your trunk. This muscular group, along with surrounding tissues, contributes to function, enabling you to activate this system to:

1. Maintain continence & control pressure.
2. Relax to allow for urination, bowel movements and penetration.

The pelvic floor function is integrated into and reliant on surrounding structures in order to achieve full function, and vice versa. We will therefore also consider surrounding; joints, nerves, vessels, organs & connective tissues in order to help you achieve your unique goals.

A niche field of physiotherapy encompassing evaluation, treatment and education for individuals with concerns relating to the pelvic region, through the various life stages.

A few reasons that you might seek help from a pelvic health physio include:

• To strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder and bowel symptoms
• Pelvic organ prolapse
  Sexual satisfaction, pain, discomfort
• Antenatal muscular pain, childbirth preparation and postpartum recovery post
• Rehabilitation before and after surgery
• Core control, hip and back concerns
• Education about a diagnosis or pain presentation
• To strengthen, reduce tension or increase control of pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder – leaks, urgency, frequency, pain
• Interstitial Cystitis (IC), Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)
• Bowel – constipation, leaks
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Sexual pain, penetrative pain, discomfort (GPPPD)
• Vaginismus, dyspareunia, vestibulodynia, Vulvodynia
• Antenatal muscular pain, delivery preparation
• Postpartum assessment and return to exercise
• Diastasis Recti (DRA)
• Perineal tear, Obstetric injury
• Scar management (episiotomy, cesarean, abdominal)
• Rehabilitation before and after surgery
• Core control, hip and back concerns
• Pelvic Girdle Pain, Coccydynia
• Persistent pain conditions (ie. endometriosis)

Most patients tend to seek a pelvic health physio during pregnancy in the instance of pelvic pain or leaking. Although this is an important and valuable time to seek  assistance, pelvic health physiotherapy is not isolated to the antenatal population.

If you as an individual and at any life phase feel that there are concerns relating to your pelvic region, especially if you feel distressed, that alone warrants investigation with a pelvic health practitioner. 

It’s also important to highlight that if you are experiencing penetrative pain, this is not normal! “Use lube” or “It’s all in your head” is not sufficient advice, you are allowed to advocate for your pelvic and sexual well-being!

A few other concerns that you may arrive at a pelvic health physiotherapist include, but not limited to:

• Constipation
• Pelvic pain, 
• Coccyx pain, 
• Lower back pain 
• Hip pain
• Scar tissue management
• Incontinence
• Bladder pain
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Postpartum return to exercise
• Diastisis Recti (DR)

Your pelvic region is deeply integrated into your daily activities and undoubtedly to your holistic health and quality of life. Pelvic function is essential through all life phases, from; potty training to menstrual periods, child bearing years and through the menopausal transition.

Much like any other muscle, the pelvic floor muscles may present as weak, tight, overstretched or painful for many reasons and at any life stage leading to dysfunction. These muscles are often thought to be the sole focus of physio but ‘everything is connected’ and we often need to assess and treat surrounding tissues, joints and nerves.

Your current symptoms may stem from: pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, injury, chronic constipation, lifting activities, high impact exercise, lifestyle factors, aging, surgery, chronic conditions or hormone therapies. These are all factors we address.