WOMENS' HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY
We are excited to be helping women of the Central Coast with issues often hard to talk about. We currently have three women's health physio's and a physio trained in prenatal exercise & pain management. Booking is the hard part, our practitioners will put you at ease within the first minute of your appointment.
There is often is a lack of awareness of physiotherapy treatment options for women through the life stages.
What women’s health physio can help with:
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
Rectus Diastasis
Post-natal pelvic floor dysfunction/ trauma
Pre and post natal exercise prescription
Pelvic organ prolapse (the role of the pelvic floor)
Pelvic floor weakness
Stress and urinary incontinence
Urinary dysfunction (frequency, nocturia, urgency)
Sexual Dysfunction
Pessary Fitting
Mastitis Treatment
WOMEN'S HEALTH PHYSIO SERVICES
PELVIC FLOOR ASSESSMENTS
We offer internal/ vaginal examinations to assess the pelvic floor muscles (the group of muscles at the base of the pelvis).
A vaginal examination allows the physio to assess for:
scar tissue
pelvic floor muscle tone
pelvic floor strength and function
pelvic organ prolapse
Vaginal examinations may be performed to assess symptoms or as a routine check for pre and postnatal women. We will work with you to create an individual treatment plan
EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION
A women's health physio can prescribe pelvic floor specific exercises after your initial assessment. This may be to improve symptoms such as:
urinary and/ or faecal incontinence
urinary urgency
sexual dysfunction
pelvic pain
Or simply to improve pelvic floor function pre and postnatally, pre and post hysterectomy and for coordination with musculoskeletal issues.
You may need pelvic floor exercises to:
strengthen
improve endurance
improve coordination
lengthen
relax
RECTUS DIASTASIS (ABDOMINAL SEPARATION)
Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) or abdominal separation refers to the separation of the stomach muscles, commonly seen in pregnant and postpartum women. Our women's health physio's can assess, provide exercises, and recommend products such as support belts if required to help manage abdominal separation. A home or guided exercise program is encouraged to gain optimal results.
VAGINAL PESSARIES
A pessary is a prosthetic device that can be inserted into the vagina to support its internal structure. A pessary can be effective in reducing symptoms of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
At physiozest we use ProFem Pessaries made of a medical grade silicone, which is a hypoallergenic material (low allergy risk). These Pessaries are soft and flexible and come in varied shapes and sizes. Our most commonly used and stocked pessaries are the ring, ring with knob, ring with support, and cube pessary.
MASTITIS TREATMENT
The main goal for treatment of blocked ducts and mastitis is to clear the blockage and keep the milk moving. We use therapeutic ultrasound combined with gentle massage to help improve the flow of milk by increasing circulation and reduce inflammation and pain. Early treatment is essential and may require 1-3 sessions. It is advised you see your GP if you suspect you have mastitis as antibiotics may be necessary.
TENS MACHINE HIRE
TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a drug free pain relief method often used for labour pain. A TENS machine consists of a small portable, handheld device that is connected by leads to electrode pads.
At physiozest we recommend obstetric TENS for labour pain relief. Obstetric TENS can be hired or bought from us at physiozest. TENS is usually hired for 4-6 weeks to enable some flexibility in case of an early labour. Please contact us for further information.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
KIRRILY CURRAN
Women's Health Physiotherapist
Women's Pelvic Floor Health & Exercise
Prolapse & Incontinence Management
Rectus Diastasis
Mastitis Relief
Pessary Fitting
Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapy
SOPHIA SHIPPAM
Women's Health Physiotherapist
Women's Pelvic Floor Health & Exercise
Prolapse & Incontinence Management
Pelvic Health
Sexual Dysfunction
Rectus Diastasis
Mastitis Relief
Pessary Fitting
ASHLEY LAMB
Women's Health Physiotherapist
Women’s Pelvic Floor Health & Exercise
Prolapse & incontinence management including pessary fitting
Exercise during pregnancy and post natal
Post natal return to sport and running
Pelvic girdle, sacroiliac and back pain during pregnancy
Overactive bladder/Urgency management
Mastitis relief
Osteoporosis prevention & management
KATEY REGAN
Physiotherapist
Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapy
Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain
Exercise Prescription
Clinical Reformer Pilates
Postnatal Wellness Courses
We currently offer physio-designed and led 6 week courses for postpartum mums wanting to return to exercise safely. These popular courses offer a safe and nurturing environment for mums with the added benefit of group exercise guided by a Women's Health Physio!