Are there alternative therapies that complement pelvic health physiotherapy?

complement pelvic health physiotherapy

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of dysfunction within the pelvis – it includes the muscles, nerves, ligaments and connective tissues of the abdomen, bowel, bladder and sexual organs. It also includes the way the bones of the pelvis create stability and contribute to movement. Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are trained to assess the function of these tissues and structures, identify where there is pain or dysfunction and to provide effective, non-invasive treatments that improve or relieve symptoms.

During your pelvic health physiotherapy appointment, your physiotherapist will spend time listening to your story and observing the way your body moves. They will ask a lot of intimate questions, and may use questionnaires or screening tools to better understand the state of your mind and body. It is important for them to identify and understand all of the factors that are contributing to your symptoms, so they can provide a thorough, long-term management plan for you.

The treatment plans that are developed for a pelvic health patient can vary depending on the condition, and will often include exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and to help support the pelvic organs and prevent further descent. Manual techniques such as myofascial release and trigger point therapy can be used to address tight or spasming pelvic floor muscles. In addition, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen will use the latest evidence to identify global contributors to your pain or dysfunction and can develop specific short-term and long-term goals for you that are personalized to your individual needs.

Are there alternative therapies that complement pelvic health physiotherapy?

Some physiotherapists have completed additional training, known as ‘Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapy’ to become specialised in this area. It is important to look for this if you are suffering from endometriosis, as it signifies that your physiotherapist has completed extra training to manage the symptoms and complications of this condition.

In order to receive a referral from your doctor, you will need to speak with one of the doctors in the pelvic pain clinic and get their permission to see a specialist physiotherapist. Once you have this, the process of finding a physiotherapist is relatively simple. Many private insurance policies cover physiotherapy, and you can also claim your sessions on your income tax under medical expenses.

While it is not clear whether the underlying cause of your pelvic pain is due to endometriosis, or some other condition like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), there is plenty of research to suggest that a holistic approach is the best solution for managing your symptoms. Symptoms such as leaking urine, rushing to the toilet frequently or experiencing bladder urgency, discomfort while passing stool, pain with sex and pelvic organ prolapse can all be treated effectively using a combination of pelvic health physiotherapy and functional nutrition.

In a clinical trial of women with POP, it was found that combining pelvic floor physical therapy with functional nutrition reduced the frequency of symptoms and improved quality of life. Specifically, this approach strengthened pelvic floor muscles, reduced inflammation and supported tissue health and function.