In physiotherapy school, we very briefly discussed pelvic floor physiotherapy and its role in treating pelvic conditions. As I became more confident in treating musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, and as I became more experienced as a physiotherapist, I was learning more and more that many clients had pelvic, low back or abdominal pain, urinary or bowel leakage, or concerns regarding diastasis rectus abdominus in pregnancy and postpartum. I was able to help address some concerns of pain but knew I had more to learn regarding pelvic health, and how I could assess and treat these concerns. This feeling that I needed to learn more about human anatomy and physiotherapy, an area I thought I was well aware of, combined with my hope to start my own family, led me to start my journey as a pelvic floor physiotherapist. I became enamored with this specialty, learning that numerous issues that occur as a result of pelvic floor dysfunction are very common, but also easy to address and should not be considered normal. I continued completing certifications in this area, and I now assess and treat:
- urinary and/or fecal incontinence
- urinary and/or fecal urgency
- Overactive Bladder
- Pelvic Pain, including coccyx (tail bone) pain
- Pelvic Pain in pregnancy and postpartum
- Diastasis Rectus Abdominus (DRA)
- Postpartum after a Caesarean Section (C-Section)
- Preparation for Labour and Delivery
- Pain from Endometriosis
- Vulvodynia
- Vaginismus
- Clitorodynia
- Bladder Pain Syndrome
- Pelvic floor and Core Strengthening Postpartum
- Return to Running Postpartum
I took a special interest in women’s health, as I have learned that the female body goes through many physical changes at each stage of life. These changes can be difficult, cause pain or discomfort, or can leave a woman wondering how she can regain her strength, mobility, the ability to control her bladder and/or have a healthy and pain free sex life. These concerns are often not discussed, and therefore go unaddressed, but can often be treated with education and exercise. Furthermore, the Cochrane Collaboration 2010 concluded that physiotherapists with specialized training in pelvic floor rehabilitation should be the first line of defence, before surgical consultation, for stress, urge and mixed incontinence in women. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can cure or improve these symptoms while improving quality of life. If you think you have any of these symptoms or conditions, do not hesitate to talk about them, and learn how get back to your normal.
