A pelvic floor assessment comprises of an external assessment and an internal assessment to assess muscular tone, endurance and power of the muscles and any other related issues e.g prolapse. Consent will be required prior to the assessment and if you would prefer a chaperone to be present this would be arranged by yourself and could be a family member or friend. Sometimes treatment will involved strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles but sometimes down-training or relaxing of the pelvic floor may be the focus dependent on findings. The assessment is initially completed in lying but often progressed to a standing assessment as the pelvic floor muscles are postural and also need to gain stregnth to do their job in a functional position and to withstand the challenges of daily life.
Pelvc floor treatment may include: isolated pelvic floor exercises, addressing other issues which can impact on the pelvic floor (eg diastasis, diaphragm, csection scar), progression of exercises including pilates and functional exercises, lifestyle advice, pooping dynamics (check out squatty potty on youtube!) and/or hypopressives which has been shown to help incontinence and prolapse. I am also trained in biofeedback, muscle stimulation and pessaries for prolapse.
Some of the symptoms you may be experiencing could include:
Pelvic floor weakness Leaking urine or faeces
Difficulty controlling wind Feeling of heaviness or a bulge in your vagina
Back, hip or groin pain Painful periods
Pain on intercourse/inserting a tampon
Conditions treated:
Stress incontinence Urge incontinence
Vestibulodynia Pelvic floor dysfunction
Dyspareunia Prolapse
Vulvodynia Hypertonic pelvic floor or overactive pelvic floor
Endometriosis Interstitial cystitis aka bladder pain syndrome
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