What is Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy that focuses on the muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissues that support the bladder, bowel, uterus and pelvic organs.

Many people think physiotherapy is just for back pain or injury but the pelvic floor and surrounding structures are just as important for everyday function, exercise and quality of life. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help with a wide range of issues, from bladder leakage to pelvic pain, prolapse and recovery after childbirth.

What does a pelvic health physiotherapist do?

A pelvic health physiotherapist provides a thorough assessment and personalised treatment plan. They consider how your pelvic floor muscles work in coordination with the rest of your body, including the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, hips, thorax and posture.

During an assessment, a physiotherapist may look at:

• Pelvic floor muscle strength, coordination and reflex responses

• Breathing and abdominal pressure management

• Posture and alignment of the hips, pelvis and spine

• Lower limb and thoracic biomechanics

• Bladder, bowel and sexual health

• Movement patterns during everyday activities, exercise or lifting

What can pelvic health physiotherapy help with?

Urinary symptoms

• Stress urinary incontinence

• Urgency and urge incontinence

• Mixed urinary incontinence

Bowel symptoms

• Faecal incontinence

• Difficulty emptying

• Constipation and straining

Pelvic organ prolapse

• Vaginal or uterine prolapse

• Heaviness, dragging or bulging sensations

Pelvic pain and sexual health

• Pain with intercourse or exercise

• Endometriosis-related pelvic pain

• Chronic pelvic pain syndromes

Pregnancy and postnatal care

• Pelvic floor and core recovery

• Leaking, prolapse or diastasis recti

• Guidance for safe return to exercise and lifting

Menopause and peri-menopause

• Urinary leakage, urgency or prolapse symptoms

• Vaginal and pelvic tissue changes due to reduced oestrogen

• Guidance for maintaining pelvic floor strength during hormonal transitions

How does treatment work?

Treatment is always individualised and evidence-based. It may include:

• Supervised pelvic floor muscle training

• Breathing and core coordination exercises

• Posture and movement re-education

• Strength and conditioning of hips, lower limbs and thorax

• Advice on bladder and bowel habits

• Education on prolapse management, pessary use or lifestyle modifications

Why see a pelvic health physiotherapist?

Specialist physiotherapy can:

• Reduce or eliminate symptoms

• Improve confidence in daily life, exercise and sport

• Prevent progression of prolapse or incontinence

• Provide personalised guidance for long-term pelvic health

The Pelvic Physio Farnham

I support women across Surrey with specialist pelvic health physiotherapy for bladder leakage, pelvic

floor dysfunction and prolapse symptoms. Book an appointment here.

References:

NICE (2021). Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management (NG210).

POGP (2020). Pelvic floor muscle training guidance for women.

UKCS (2021). Guidance on conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction.

Dumoulin, C., Hay-Smith, J., & Mac Habée-Séguin, G. (2014). Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Bø, K., Frawley, H., Haylen, B., et al. (2017). Joint report on pelvic floor muscle function and dysfunction.

Neurourology and Urodynamics. report on pelvic floor muscle function and dysfunction. Neurourology and Urodynamics.