Women’s Health
Women's Health, Pregnancy & Post-natal Care
Women’s Pelvic health Physiotherapists have specialist training to be able to evaluate, treat and support women experiencing symptoms related to childbirth, pelvic girdle pain and pelvic floor weakness. At PhysioMotion, our women’s health Physiotherapist can treat the following with utmost privacy and sensitivity:
- Pelvic girdle dysfunction & pain (sacroiliac joint & pubic symphysis)
- Perineal massage in preparation for vaginal deliveries\ Urinary & fecal incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
- Pelvic floor weakness
- Dyspareunia (painful or difficult sexual intercourse)
- Vulvodynia (vulvar pain) & Coccydynia (coccyx pain)
- Vaginismus
- Constipation
- Post-operative gynaecological rehabilitation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Pudenal nerve neuralgia
Pregnancy & Postnatal Care
PhysioMotion’s therapists have in-depth knowledge in relation to the issues that arise often from pregnancy and childbirth. Our services include:
- Holistic assessment and treatment of any musculoskeletal issues related to pregnancy such as lower back discomfort, pelvic girdle and rib cage pain.
- Real time ultrasound imaging assessment of pelvic floor and abdominal core muscles.
- Rectus diastasis assessment and treatment.
- Ante & post-natal Pilates & core stability retraining
- Ante & post-natal exercise programs during pregnancy & return to sport regimes
- Counselling regarding the effects of vaginal deliveries versus caesarean section on your pelvic floor & any other musculoskeletal concerns
- Lactation (breast feeding): treating breast pain and mastitis prevention
- Lymphedema (water retention) during pregnancy & post-natal
We will also aim to keep you moving and exercising with an appropriate program for optimal mother and baby health. Research indicates that mothers who are able to remain active during their pregnancies report easier deliveries and a more rapid recovery.
Our postnatal care will be coordinated with your medical team to ensure that you recover your full health and fitness for the challenges that lay ahead with parenting. We will pay particular attention to issues such as a rectus diastasis, pelvic floor issues including incontinence or a pelvic organ prolapse (POP), core muscle function and returning you to athletic pursuits.
Lactation & Breast Pain
At PhysioMotion, Women’s Health Physiotherapy encompasses pre & postnatal musculoskeletal care, and treatment of lactation related breast pain.
We provide Physiotherapy management for these issues that includes:
- Assessment of your breastfeeding history, symptoms and breast tissue
- Breast Feeding issues between mother and baby, related to breast pain
- Education on how to minimize risk factors for breast pain & mastitis
- Advice and explanation of self-administered techniques to maintain well-being & prevent mastitis / mastalgia (see below)
- Treatment to reduce inflammation
- Use of therapeutic ultrasound
- Manual therapy and taping techniques to improve lymphatic drainage
- Liaison with your midwife to ensure optimal breast-feeding regimes
There is compelling research that indicates the health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers including the prevention of illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis and various cancers. The health benefits for infants range from reduced incidences of respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity to sudden infant death syndrome.
Our Lactation Pain Physiotherapist has an important role in both assisting breastfeeding and general well-being for mother and baby.
What is Mastalgia & Mastitis?
It is pain within the mother’s breast resulting from cellulitis of the connective tissue (skin layers) in the mammary gland (breast). Mastitis is the inflammation of this breast tissue. The symptoms associated with mastalgia usually include: pain, swelling (palpable lumps in the breast), redness, fever, and general malaise.
Early detection and intervention of breastfeeding problems resulting from lactating pain can help prevent the use of antibiotic medicines, particularly if the problem can be conservatively managed through drainage and clearance of the blocked ducts with Physiotherapy.
Our Lactation Pain Therapist is able to provide practical treatment to assist in successful breastfeeding by managing inflammatory breast conditions including mastitis – a main reason why mothers prematurely wean. Mastitis has a rate of incidence of up to 33% in the first six-weeks postpartum, usually in the first two to three weeks.
It often presents as local breast pain, erythema, swelling, systemic fever and malaise (lethargy), but causative factors are not yet well understood and careful assessment by a Lactation Specialist Physiotherapist is needed to help alleviate the causes. Early detection and management can alleviate symptoms promptly allowing mothers to return to breastfeeding.
For a physiotherapy appointment for issues relating to breastfeeding, request to see our Lactation Pain Therapist when you are making an appointment.
Breast Cancer & Physiotherapy
At PhysioMotion, our experienced team of therapists are able to provide pre-habilitation and post-surgical care from cancer treatment with our services:
- Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) education and management with our Lymphedema Physiotherapist who can help treat this condition with internationally recognised standard of care Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
- Motion exercises to improve tissue extensibility and facilitate normal movement patterns
- Myofascial release for mobility and enhance tissue extensibility
- Manual therapy for joint mobilisation, neurodynamic & soft tissue release
Exercise programs to return to physical health progressing towards a more advanced cardio-respiratory and strength regime
Medical treatment for breast cancer involves a combination of surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and medication. Although lifesaving, breast cancer treatment can cause impairments such as:
- Decreased strength of the upper extremity
- Decreased shoulder mobility
- Scar tightness (breast and/or axilla)
- Upper extremity ache
- Lymphedema of the upper extremity
- Neuropathic pain
- Musculoskeletal pain (breast, axilla, and/or neck-shoulder)
Exercise has been shown to help manage and prevent breast cancer. Having an active lifestyle and exercise helps reduce stress, improve well-being and helps manage chronic diseases.
Our team of therapists will ensure that you have optimal care throughout your treatment and support you returning to full physical health.
